Hillsboro High School Wins Playoff Football Game

By Tyler Nations

HILLSBORO, Tenn.— Hillboro High School dominated Stewarts Creek High School on the night of Nov. 4 in a high-scoring playoff football game, 41-7.

            The Hillboro Burros scored on their first possession on a long run by running back Tyler Neal. He found a seam and jetted through Stewarts Creek’s defense. As the game went on, Hillboro started to pull away from the Red Hawks. Neal scored the majority of the team’s points, earning four touchdowns.
            Hillsboro’s defense was just as strong as its offense, holding Stewart’s Creek to just seven points. It put pressure on Creek’s quarterback, sacking him five times and flushing him out of the pocket even more.
            Since it was a home game for Hillsboro, the stadium was packed. The crowd was electric, and one could tell they loved their hometown team. Every third down, the crowd would erupt. Every positive turning point in the game, fans leaped to their feet.
            As for the Red Hawks, they played hard but just could not match Hillsboro talent-wise. Coming into this game, they were missing players to injury, which showed. The backup players stepped up, but a lack of experience played a pivotal role. They came out to start the game strong, scoring on their first possession as well. Running back Zach Long took the handoff to the left side and punched it in at the goal line.
            One thing Stewarts Creek showed was heart, because even when the team was down, it kept fighting. Red Hawks fans did not disappoint either. Every play they made themselves known. When their team was down, they did all they could to help motivate it as a faithful fan base should.

          “We played hard, and it was a good year,” said Peyton Gardner, the kicker for Stewarts Creek.  “Expectations were exceeded, and we left it all on the field.”
              Before the game, both student sections ran onto the field to welcome their players. They had noise makers, and some students even threw baby powder in the air. After the teams broke through their banners, the bands started playing their cadences, and the students raced back to their seats. This helped build up suspense and excitement.
            After the game, families and friends went onto the field to meet up with their loved ones. Like any sporting event, there were tears from the losing team and laughter from the winning one.
           “It’s not exactly the way you want to go out as a senior,” Gardner said. “I am thankful I was able to play these past couple of years.”
            The Hillsboro Burros went on to face Independence High School the following week, but lost 42-20. Hillsboro finished with a 7-5 record, and Stewarts Creek finished with a 6-5 record.
            For more information on the game and the two schools, visit www.maxpreps.com.

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