Staff writer
Hillsboro got off to a rough start in district play Friday night with a 49-20 loss to Hesston.
The Swathers scored early and often against an overmatched Trojans defense. It took Hesston just six plays on its opening possession to score a touchdown, an 8-yard run by quarterback Zach Esau. That would be the first of six consecutive scoring drives.
The Trojans offense showed a spark on their first possession, taking only 7 plays to cover 75 yards. Quarterback Kaden Kleiner hit Carson Herbel for a 14-yard touchdown to culminate the drive. The score was 7-7 at the 6:55 mark of the first quarter.
Hesston’s scoring continued unabated, and at the end of the first quarter, they led 27-7. The Swathers scored twice more in the second quarter, and the Trojans trailed 40-7 at halftime.
The Swathers forced a continuous clock into play when Esau hit receiver Tanner Bachman on a 41-yard pass, making the score 46-7.
The Trojans added two scores late in the game. Kleiner hit receiver Jacob Funk on a 55-yard touchdown toss. Kleiner scored on a 4-yard run after the Trojans recovered a Hesston fumble.
The Trojans, now 2-5, face Marion on Friday in Marion. Marion suffered its first loss of the season against Southeast of Saline.