Trojans snap two-game skid with 21-13 win
With three losses on the season, including two straight by a total of 17 points, the Trojans have had their share of challenges on the football field.
In its first-ever meeting Friday night with the hosting Kingman Eagles, Hillsboro had as good an opportunity as it has had to put its sorrows aside and play a good game.
The Trojans made the most of their chance, ruining the Eagles homecoming with a 21-13 victory, boosting their record to 2-3 for the year and dropping Kingman to 1-4.
With the Eagles, Trojans, and Friday night opponent Smoky Valley Vikings struggling, Hillsboro may be facing its lightest portion of its schedule.
Last week in a heart-wrenching 16-14 loss to Hesston, Trojan quarterback Luke Moore’s rushing nearly won the game.
On Friday, Moore’s three touchdown passes in the first half were enough to push Hillsboro past Kingman.
Moore’s first of two touchdown passes to Ben Bebermeyer put Hillsboro on top, 7-0, early after Ben Gardner made the PAT attempt to cap the 23-yard completion.
Moore finished the night, completing 9-for-20 passing for 141 yards, with a game-high 107 going to Bebermeyer.
But Hillsboro’s only turnover — an interception — helped the Eagles get as close as 7-6 with Shawn Chalakee scoring on a 2-yard run, but the extra point attempt was no good.
The Eagles found moving the ball a hard act against the rugged Trojans defense, which yielded just five first downs and 172 total yards.
All but eight of Kingman’s total yardage came off the run with the Eagles completing only 1-of-10 passing.
The Trojans pushed the lead to 14-6 on the ensuing drive, aided by a 38-yard run by Chance Reece.
Reece had a career-night, running rampant 18 times for a career-best 163 yards.
Hillsboro’s 180 yards on the ground made for a balanced offensive attack.
Moore finished the drive, firing a 25-yard pass to Aaron Klassen.
Moore’s 16-yard touchdown to Bebermeyer completed Hillsboro’s scoring just under the midway mark in the second quarter.
The Eagles scored early in the third quarter on a 49-yard run by Bryan Suenram for the final margin.
Friday night’s contest in Hillsboro against the Vikings is set for 7 p.m.