Trojans use big second half to pound Lyons
Suderman runs roughshod through Lions, 27-2
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Nearly a year ago to the date Sept. 2 is a time of year Trojan tailback Michael Suderman will likely never forget.
In Hillsboro's opening junior varsity game of the season, Suderman's football career flashed right before his eyes as his season ended on a broken leg.
While most would opt to give football up after a career ending injury such as a broken leg, Suderman decided he wasn't ready to hang it up yet.
The Trojans have to be glad he did.
The junior shunned doubts he'd lost a step Friday night, running for a game-high 156 yards in a 27-2 waltz over the visiting Lyons Lions in the season opener.
Suderman's 156 yards rushing were more than what the Trojans had overall in at least three games a year ago.
"You've got to remember it was a year ago now that he broke his leg," said an excited Trojan coach Len Coryea. "He ran well and he played defense well.
"He was covering an all-conference player (Lyons' do-it-all wideout Kevin Sechrist,) and he shut that kid down. I was real impressed with Michael on both sides of the ball."
The Trojans were anything but impressive the first half, turning the ball over four times and getting hit with penalties the entire game.
They had two chances to pull away early, starting their first two drives inside the Lyons' 40-yard line.
Those two either ended on Hillsboro turning the ball over on downs or just giving it to the Lions.
Luckily, the Trojans defense didn't allow the Lions to convert on third down all night, or for that matter, much at all.
Their biggest break of the game came late in the third quarter with the Trojans spotting them two points on a safety with a high snap.
Big things seemed to happen every time Suderman touched the ball.
He ripped off double-digit gains nearly every carry, being held under five yards a mere four times from 22 carries.
It was a 15-yard run from Suderman that helped set up a seven-yard touchdown pass from Josh Boese to Troy Frick with 1:55 left in the first half.
David Funk was good on the PAT to put Hillsboro up 7-0 by halftime.
Suderman was more than the Lions could handle, but with Tim Funk, too, spelled disaster.
He delivered the back-breaking touchdown to start the fourth quarter, taking off on a 42-yard scamper up the middle to give Hillsboro a 13-2 lead.
Funk finished with 11 carries for 81 yards, eight more yards than the Lions totaled.
His big run seemed to force Lyons to implode as it turned the ball over on interceptions three consecutive drives.
Picks by Adam Scheele and Lucas Hamm allowed the Trojans to bury the Lions on touchdowns from Boese and a 14-yard completion to Scheele.
Up next for Hillsboro Friday night is a long road trip to Chapman with a 7:00 meeting with the Fighting Irish.
