Tate Erkenbrecher, Contributor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
HILLSBORO — After a narrow loss last week, one in which Hillsboro’s offense fell incredibly flat, the Indians simply got back to the basics on Friday.
CREDIT: Tate Erkenbrecher/SOSA
Behind a quartet of backs, led by Dom Smart, Hillsboro (1-2) used a powerful running attack that ran for six touchdowns in a 41-27 victory over East Clinton.
Just a sophomore, Smart quickly established himself as the go-to guy for the evening. With his team trusting him every time he took the ball, he racked up well over 100 yards on the night alongside three scores.
Smart wasted no time getting to work on the team’s first possession as he took a handoff and dashed 46 yards to the end zone, quickly putting the Indians ahead 6-0 after the first quarter. However, East Clinton answered with Dameon Williams, who scored all four touchdowns for the Astros. Williams found pay dirt for an 8-6 lead following a successful two-point try.
The Indians continued to feed Smart, a wise decision, as the Astros had no answer for him. He ended a scoring drive with a 19-yard touchdown run, allowing the Indians to go up 13-8.
Lady Luck happened to favor Hillsboro as East Clinton fumbled on the next possession and the Indians recovered. That led to an seven-yard touchdown run from Travis Ross for a 20-8 score after a successful two-point try.
Not wanting to be left out of the mix, Austin Barrett joined the fun on the next possession and found the end zone to push the lead to 27-8. Williams then scored again for the Astros with 45.1 seconds left in the second quarter to make it a 27-14 score at halftime.
In the second half, it became a touchdown for touchdown contest between Williams and Smart. Each back scored a pair of touchdowns, but Hillsboro’s lead was too tall for East Clinton to overcome.
Smart and company continued to pound the rock, putting their first win in the bag.
In total, Hillsboro ran for 370 yards on 43 carries. Dominic Smart led that attack, amassing 15 carries for 175 yards and three scores, Barrett finished with 89 yards and a touchdown on 18 totes, and Ross ended the evening with 75 yards and a score on five rushes.
Hillsboro returns to action on Friday at home against Williamsburg in non-conference action.
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