As fate would have it, this past Friday the 13th was more than just a spooky date for the Hillsboro Indians. The evening not only saw their marching band strike up the iconic tune “Thriller” during halftime but also concluded with heart-pounding excitement. In a Week 9 showdown, the visiting Miami Trace Panthers came agonizingly close to victory, only to miss a late field goal attempt, allowing the Indians to clinch a nail-biting 14-13 win.
In a triumphant showdown against MTHS, the Hillsboro Indians notched their first victory over Miami Trace since 2018. The backdrop was Senior Night, a special occasion to honor the fall sports seniors. However, it was the remarkable defensive display by the football team that stole the spotlight, as they executed flawlessly to secure a narrow one-point victory. This hard-fought win catapulted the Indians into sole possession of second place in the Frontier Athletic Conference, marking a significant milestone in their season.
“Our defense showed up tonight, and some days it’s like that,” Hillsboro head coach Nathan Horne said.
“It’s always tough coming off of Jackson and never quite know how your kids are going to respond. Our kids, they do that time and time again. They’ll bounce back, and really, practice is not a whole lot different after a win versus a loss. They’re pretty even-keeled, and we work hard on Monday and just get after it for the next team. Again, I’m super proud of them today.”
As the final seconds of the game ticked away, Miami Trace launched a spirited offensive drive, making their way downfield to the Hillsboro 25-yard line. With the clock winding down and just 5.9 seconds remaining in regulation, the Panthers faced a critical 3rd-and-one situation. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the Panthers set up for a field goal attempt. The kick was accurate but fell agonizingly short by a mere yard or two, sealing Hillsboro’s hard-fought victory with a final score of 14-13.
HHS sealed the game by taking a knee in the classic victory formation. This hard-fought win propelled the Indians to a commendable 5-4 overall record, with an impressive 3-1 record in the Frontier Athletic Conference (FAC). On the flip side, the defeat had Miami Trace sliding to a 4-5 overall season record, accompanied by a 2-2 standing in the conference.
The dynamic force behind both of Hillsboro’s touchdowns was none other than their sophomore quarterback, Mason Dumpert. In a stellar performance, Dumpert showcased his prowess both in the passing game and as a nimble ball carrier. His exceptional contributions included a remarkable stat line of 11 rushes, accumulating an impressive 116 yards on the ground, and notching two crucial rushing touchdowns to his name.
“Being down one of our running backs, I knew we would have to lean on Austin [Barrett] and Mason, and Mason really, being a sophomore, got it together and played a great game,” Horne said. “He scored our only two touchdowns, so I was really excited about what he did today.”
The inaugural touchdown of the game was an electrifying dash by none other than young Mason Dumpert. Operating from the Miami Trace 30-yard line on a first-and-10 play, the sophomore quarterback made a spectacular breakaway, outpacing the Miami Trace defense and triumphantly crossing the goal line with 4 minutes and 25 seconds still on the clock in the first quarter. The successful point-after attempt by Wesley Bailey further solidified the Indians’ lead, leaving the scoreboard at 7-0 in their favor.
Just moments before that pivotal touchdown run, the Hillsboro Indians’ tenacious defense made a game-changing play. Senior standout Ian Lawson was the hero of the moment, swiftly recovering a fumble with 4 minutes and 32 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Notably, this crucial recovery occurred a mere two plays after the Indians themselves had suffered a fumble on the offensive end. This defensive gem added a remarkable twist to the early moments of the game.
Following that initial flurry of action, a series of punts and impressive defensive maneuvers took center stage as the Indians and Panthers locked horns. Over the course of three consecutive drives, which included two by MTHS and one by HHS, the teams collectively covered a mere 15 yards. Notably, in this period, Hillsboro’s junior talent, Nic Burns, made a crucial impact with a well-timed pass breakup, a foreshadowing of his later contributions to the game.
With 11 minutes and 51 seconds remaining in the second quarter, HHS embarked on a well-executed offensive drive, commencing from their own 27-yard line. The Indians displayed their mettle as they marched down the field, eventually positioning themselves on the MTHS 19-yard line. The sequence of plays that paved the way included a dynamic 10-yard rush by Jack Cornele, an impressive 16-yard gain on a sweep outside the tackles by senior Austin Barrett, and a 15-yard pass completion from quarterback Mason Dumpert to junior receiver Logan Elliott, securing a crucial first down. This sequence demonstrated the Indians’ offensive prowess in fine style.
The turning point arrived when the Miami Trace special teams unit sprang into action, making a game-changing play by effectively blocking a 29-yard field goal attempt. This pivotal moment unfolded with 7 minutes and 18 seconds remaining in the quarter, injecting a surge of intensity into the contest.
Once more, the resolute Indians’ defense stepped into the limelight, orchestrating another resounding three-and-out performance. This defensive showcase included a standout moment when senior Ayden Clemons delivered a crucial stop on the very first down, setting the tone for their exceptional defensive stand.
HHS continued to showcase their offensive prowess with yet another impressive drive, advancing from the MTHS 45-yard line to the 18-yard line. During this series of plays, the Indian’s arsenal featured a determined 11-yard rush by Austin Barrett and a swift 6-yard gain on the ground courtesy of junior Logan Elliott. The drive, however, took an unexpected turn as it reached its conclusion. In a game-changing moment, Miami Trace’s Brice Perkins intercepted a pass just in front of the goal line with a mere 1 minute and 52 seconds left in the second quarter. This interception had a significant impact on the first-half dynamics.
In a swift turnaround, the Indians countered with a notable defensive play just five plays later. It was none other than junior Nic Burns who shone brightly as he leaped into the air, intercepting a Miami Trace pass on the HHS 14-yard line. This critical turnover transpired with just 57.9 seconds left in the first half, marking a pivotal moment that showcased the Indians’ resilience on the field.
HHS orchestrated an impressive offensive push downfield, highlighted by a remarkable 39-yard burst by Austin Barrett and a well-executed 22-yard reception by Logan Elliott, connecting on a pass from quarterback Mason Dumpert. However, the clock had the final say as the first half came to a close, with the Indians maintaining a 7-0 lead at the intermission.
While the Indians didn’t manage to add points to the board during their initial drive in the second half, they certainly showcased their offensive prowess. Notable highlights included a robust 17-yard run by Austin Barrett and an impressive 41-yard scramble by quarterback Mason Dumpert, demonstrating his agility and decision-making on a quarterback keeper. These plays propelled the Indians to the MTHS 35-yard line, setting the stage for a promising drive. Nevertheless, the drive ultimately concluded with a punt, leaving fans eager for the next chapter of the game.
In the case of senior standout Austin Barrett, his remarkable season-long achievement of exceeding 100 yards per game on the ground extended further, reaching an impressive nine consecutive weeks. Barrett’s exceptional performance in the Week 9 victory saw him carry the ball an astounding 31 times, amassing 177 yards. Notably, he blazed through the first half with 128 rushing yards, achieved on 18 carries. With these remarkable contributions, Barrett’s unofficial season total now stands at a staggering 1,737 rushing yards. His consistent excellence has been a driving force behind the team’s success this season.
Miami Trace surged ahead with their inaugural touchdown of the contest. They initiated the drive from their own 30-yard line, culminating in a pivotal 14-yard touchdown connection from Trey Robinette to Garrett Guess. This scoring play unfolded with 5 minutes and 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter. In a bid to level the score, MTHS opted for a two-point conversion, but Hillsboro’s Ayden Clemons intervened by making a crucial catch in the end zone, preserving HHS’s lead at 7-6. The game’s dynamics shifted significantly with this dramatic sequence of events.
Panthers seized the momentum after recovering the kickoff on the HHS 30-yard line. With remarkable efficiency, it took them only two plays to surge ahead of Hillsboro. Trey Robinette exhibited his speed and agility, breaking free from the Indian’s defense for a remarkable 27-yard touchdown run. This game-altering play unfolded with just 4 minutes and 57 seconds left in the third quarter. The point-after attempt was successfully converted by Ian Mavis, propelling the visiting Panthers into the lead with a score of 13-7. The contest remained highly charged, with both teams fiercely vying for control.
After both teams were compelled to punt, the battle raged on with a relentless display of defensive prowess. Then, it was Hillsboro’s turn to make a decisive move. Their momentum-shifting drive commenced with just 24.4 seconds remaining in the third quarter and culminated with approximately 8 minutes and 55 seconds left on the clock in the fourth. The stage was set for another thrilling twist in this closely contested matchup.
The pivotal drive that propelled the Indians into the lead kicked off with a burst of energy, courtesy of a 14-yard sprint by Austin Barrett. Mason Dumpert followed suit, adding to the excitement with a speedy 21-yard dash. The offensive sequence continued with a 2-yard gain by Logan Elliott, complemented by a crafty 6-yard scamper by Barrett. Dumpert then contributed a 3-yard run, setting the stage for a dramatic first-and-goal situation. The stage was set for a thrilling series of plays with the end zone in sight.
The Indians faced a challenging second-and-goal situation, and their determination paid off when they regained the lead. On third-and-goal, Mason Dumpert orchestrated a sensational 3-yard rushing play, displaying exceptional athleticism as he dived towards the corner of the end zone for a pivotal six-point touchdown. The extra point attempt, executed by Wesley Bailey, was right on target, vaulting the Indians ahead with a score of 14-13. The game was now hanging in the balance, with both teams locked in a fierce battle for supremacy.
Miami Trace embarked on an 11-play drive on their next possession but found themselves in a fourth-and-21 situation on the HHS 44-yard line, ultimately opting to punt. Trey Robinette executed a precision punt that pinned Hillsboro at their 6-yard line. Hillsboro then responded with a punt of their own, placing the ball at the MTHS 42-yard line and providing the Panthers with three timeouts as they sought to mount a comeback. The stage was set for a high-stakes finale.
The MTHS drive kickstarted with a 19-yard pass connection to Asher LeBeau. However, their march down the field ended abruptly as they faced a turnover on downs, with an incomplete pass on the HHS 33-yard line. The game’s tension continued to build as the momentum shifted in the final moments.
HHS aimed for a crucial first down but fell short, leading to a blocked punt by Miami Trace. The ball veered out of bounds, ultimately settling at the HHS 27-yard line, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
The Panthers managed to advance to the Indians’ 19-yard line through a series of pass completions that added up to just nine yards. However, their hopes were dashed as the final field goal attempt missed its mark. The game’s outcome hung in the balance as the tension reached its peak.
In addition, the Indians were missing their second-leading rusher, the dynamic sophomore running back and defensive back, Jeven Hochstuhl, who sustained an injury in the previous Friday’s Week 8 matchup.
Hillsboro’s upcoming challenge on the horizon is the Rotary Bowl showdown against their Highland County rivals, the McClain Tigers. Both teams are currently boasting 5-4 overall records this season. McClain enters the game with a 1-3 record in the FAC after a Week 9 road loss to the Jackson Ironmen, ending with a 62-14 score. The stage is set for an intense local rivalry clash.
The Indians hold an impressive seven-game winning streak against their rivals, the Tigers, with their last victory coming by a score of 42-21 in the previous year. This year’s matchup promises to be a fierce battle as both teams aim to make their mark.
The Week 10 game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at McClain Field in Greenfield. Be sure not to miss this exciting matchup.
