By Rick Patrick
Riverbend News
The Hamilton County High School (HCHS) Trojans took advantage of Tyler Whetstone's 221 yards on the ground to edge the Indians of Chiefland High School, 28-20, on Friday, Oct 16, in Chiefland, Fla. With the win, the Trojans improve their season record to 2-4, overall.
The Indians got on the scoreboard first with a “pick-six” interception returned late in the first quarter. The two-point conversion failed and the score was 6-0, in favor of the Indians at the end of the first quarter. That score held until just before halftime when Whetstone scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns. After a successful point-after-touchdown (PAT), the score was 7-6, in favor of the Trojans as the first half came to a close.
Whetstone found pay-dirt again with approximately three minutes remaining in the third period. Another successful PAT gave the Trojans a 14-6 advantage late in the third period. The Indians responded in the early moments of the fourth quarter with a rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion, to tie the score at 14. The Trojans struck back quickly with another Whetstone touchdown run. The score was 21-14 with approximately nine minutes remaining in the contest. It didn't take long for the Indians' ground attack to score another touchdown. The Trojans stopped the two-point conversion attempt to keep the score at 21-20, in favor of the Trojans. The Trojans put the game away in the final minute, when Chance Cherry picked off an Indian pass and returned it for a “pick-six” touchdown return. A successful PAT sealed the 28-20 victory for the Trojans.
Whetstone was named the Offensive Player of the Game for the Trojans for his 221 yards on 10 carries for the Trojans. Whetstone also had 28 receiving yards on four catches. Cherry was named the Defensive Player of the Game for his five tackles and one interception return for a touchdown. The Special Teams Player of the Game was Omar Lopez for his four-for-four PAT kicks.
The Trojans have a well-deserved week off next week. They will return for one more game on Friday, Oct. 30, against Robert F. Munroe High School from Quincy, Fla. It will be Homecoming for the Trojans. The game is set for 7:30 p.m., at Veterans Stadium.