ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DR
In what has to be one of the biggest wins in the current era of Hillsboro High football, the Trojans knocked off heavily favored Cheney in a dramatic 8-7 regional-championship overtime victory Saturday night at Reimer Field.
In a monumental defensive battle, the two teams battled to a 0-0 tie through regulation. Both teams had a chance to score points that would have ended the game in their favor. Hillsboro had an 8-yard touchdown run by Spencer Brown called back on a holding call in the first half and Cheney missed a 27-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of regulation.
In overtime, Hillsboro won the toss and elected to give Cheney the first possession at the 10-yard line. On third-and-goal at the 1, the Cardinals’ Garrett Nikkel bulled his way into the end zone for the touchdown. Josh Spring kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
On Hillsboro’s possession, two runs by Michael Suderman netted three yards. On third down, Brown found wide receiver Brett McIntosh over the middle for the touchdown.
Without much hesitation, the Trojans went for the 2-point conversion. Brown rolled to his right, but when he began to advance toward the goal it appeared he would be stopped. In the last instant, Brown tossed a short pass ahead to Jacob Yoder, who caught the ball in a crowd of Cardinals for 2 points and the regional championship.
With the win, Hillsboro improves to 8-3 and advances to sectional play for the first time in more than two decades. The Trojans will square off against Sacred Heart, who defeated Hoisington on Saturday, 48-45. According to initial information, the game will be played in Salina, but day and time are yet to be determined.
Hillsboro upsets Cheney to win regional title!
