By Rick Patrick
Riverbend News
Turnovers proved to be costly to the Hamilton County High School Trojans as they finished their regular season with a 26-13 defeat at the paws of the Bobcats of Robert F. Munroe School, from Quincy.
After the Trojans forced a turnover on downs on the Bobcats' first possession, the Trojans scored on a long 60-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing point-after-touchdown (PAT) missed its mark and the score was 6-0 early in the first quarter. The Bobcats mounted a 70-yard scoring drive of their own, capped off with a five-yard touchdown run. The Bobcats failed on their two-point conversion attempt and the score was knotted at six points apiece with about five minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Trojans' next drive was cut short when the Bobcats intercepted a pass at the Bobcats' 20-yard line. The first quarter ended with the score tied, 6-6.
The Bobcats took the lead with a rushing touchdown early in the second quarter. A missed PAT left the score at 12-6, in favor of the Bobcats. The next Trojan drive ended with a fumble at the Bobcats' own 30-yard line. The Trojans had great field position when they intercepted a pass at the Bobcats' one-yard line. The Trojans were unable to capitalize though and coughed the ball up at the Bobcats' five-yard line, with under a minute remaining in the second quarter. The first half ended with the score 12-6, in favor of the Bobcats.
The Trojans took the second half kick-off and mounted a drive that concluded in a 35-yard rushing touchdown for the Trojans. A successful PAT gave the Trojans a 13-12 lead. The Bobcats responded with a three-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter. After a successful two-point conversion, the score was 20-13 as the third quarter came to a close.
Early in the final quarter, the Bobcats picked off a Trojan pass and ran it back for a pick-six, making the score 26-13, in favor of the Bobcats. Both of the Trojans' following drives ended in turnovers as the curtain came down on the Trojans' regular season and the game.
Jeff Walls was named the Player of the Game for the Trojans.
The Trojans (2-5) will now travel to Ft. White to face the Indians of Ft. White High School in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. The Indians (0-6) are coming off a 39-19 defeat by the Panthers of Newberry High School. The game is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, at Ft. White High School. The address for the school is 17828 SW State Rd. 47, in Ft. White. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.