HMS pounds Haven
After scoring 36 points in the first half, the Hillsboro seventh grade football team went on to defeat Haven 42-6 at home Sept. 18.
Quarterback Daniel Jost completed five of nine passes for 50 yards. He also scored two touchdowns: one on a 10-yard run and one on a 55-yard punt return.
Landon Unruh also scored two touchdowns. One on a pass from Jost and one on a 33-yard run.
"Daniel Jost did an excellent job of running quarterback," said coach Darrel Knoll. "The line blocked well, and the backs did a nice job of running the ball."
Also scoring in the first half were Isaac Leihy, 17-yard run and two-point conversion run, and Michael Tisdale, five-yard run.
The Trojans rushed for 194 yards.
Knoll was particularly impressed with the fact that several players made adjustments in playing positions they had not practiced.
"Andy Klassen played outside linebacker and corner very intelligently," Knoll said. "Also Clay Shewey played quarterback very well, and Michael Tisdale did an outstanding job of running the ball."
In a confidence-building game, the eighth graders defeated Haven 40-0, scoring four touchdowns in the first half.
Gavin Serene scored first on a 26-yard pass from Dustin Strunk, and Austin Hamm ran the ball in for a two-point conversion.
Hamm scored the next 20 points on a one-yard run, two-point conversion run, one-yard run and 54-yard run.
In the second half, Jacob Yoder scored on a 50-yard run and an 35-yard interception return.
"This was the sharpest and most focused that I have ever seen this group," Knoll said. "It was really fun and good to win big."
Offensively, the eighth graders executed plays without making mistakes, allowing them to expand their play calling.
"Defensively, we continue to get more aggressive," said Knoll. "We are pursuing better and making tackles. Josh Thomas was key because he put pressure on Haven's quarterback all night."
Hamm led the team defensively with five tackles and three assists. Thomas had four tackles and three assists, and Michael Scheele, four tackles and two assists.
The middle school football teams play Ellinwood at home tonight. Game time is 5 p.m.
seventh grade results
Rushing:21-194. Leihy, 4-41, 1 TD; Jost, 3-20, 2 TD; Bradley Klenda 2-30; Michael Tisdale 9-77, 1 TD; David Ratzloff 2-3; Unruh, 1-33, 1 TD. Passing: Jost, 2-2-30, 1 TD.
Eighth Grade results
Rushing: 23-187. Yoder, 9-70, 2 TD; Hamm, 11-114, 3 TD. Passing: Strunk, 3-7-72, 1 TD. Interceptions: Mitchell Koop, 2; Yoder, 1.
