The Chillicothe Hornets were on the road at Kirksville in week two of the football season looking to start the season with consecutive wins for the first time since 2022.
After a quick three and out for Chillicothe, Kirksville took advantage of a deep 41 yard pass down to the goal line and punched in the first score of the game with a one yard run from Jude Rohr. Chillicothe then featured running back Henry Hurtgen on the next series to the tune of 9 carries and 67 yards, capitalized with a 14 yard touchdown run from Hurtgen which pulled Chillicothe within one at 7-6.
Early in the 2nd quarter the Tigers took advantage of a pass over the top. This time on a 3rd and 12, Joel Feeney found Blake Nesbitt for a 36 yard strike into the end zone. With Chillicothe trailing 14-6, it took just one play for the Hornets to respond. Hurtgen busted out a 68 yard scamper up the middle to the house. The Hornets forced a punt on the next series, and drove into the red zone before an interception from Tigers defensive back Noah Tilton thwarted the drive.
Late in the 2nd quarter still trailing 14-12, the Hornets held Kirksville from moving the ball and regained possession on a punt with just 18 seconds before the half. Starting at their own 35 yard line, Chillicothe executed two plays to the sideline to move the chains and set up a first down at their own 45. The Hornets snapped the ball with six seconds to play before the half, then quarterback Burke Beetsma dropped back and found receiver Logan Murrell deep over the middle on a post route. Beetsma hit Murrell in stride who galloped into the end zone for a go ahead score with no time left on the clock in the first half. It was the first lead for Chillicothe in the game at 18-14.
The third quarter featured impressive defense on both sides. Neither team scored in the frame and Kirksville was unable to manage a single first down. Into the 4th quarter Chillicothe reestablished their offensive rhythm, threatening to add to the lead, but on fourth and goal inside the five yard line, Chillicothe was stopped at the 1, keeping hope alive for the Tigers. On the ensuing possession, Kirksville could not move the ball once again on the Hornets defense, resulting in their third straight three and out to open the half.
Chillicothe took advantage of a short field off the punt, and Hurtgen rushed in his third score of the game to extend the lead at 24-14 with under two minutes to play. Hurtgen was dominant on the ground, totaling 262 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries.
In desperation mode, the Tigers offense starting clicking. Feeney completed three passes of 10 yards or more, the final one being a 14 yard strike to Tilton in the corner of the end zone. After the extra point Kirksville trimmed the margin to 24-21 with under 30 seconds remaining.
Forced to try an onside kick, Kirksville executed it perfectly, recovering the ball in Chillicothe territory to give them one last look at a miraculous comeback. With just 11 seconds left, Feeney tried one deep down the right sideling, Hornets cornerback Logan Murrell made a fantastic play on the ball, securing the interception to seal the Chillicothe victory.
With the win the Hornets start out 2-0 in the Jeff Staton era, and will play their first MEC game next week when Chillicothe travels to Maryville.