The Chillicothe Hornets hosted Savannah in an MEC matchup that featured a pair of teams with both winning conference and overall records. Chillicothe entered at 4-2 while Savannah sported an unblemished 6-0 mark.
Chillicothe moved the ball into Savannah territory on the opening series, but were forced to punt. Burke Beetsma punted the ball perfectly down to the one yard line setting up a long field for the Savages. Savannah was undeterred as quarterback Caylor Schrick took the ball 99 yards on Savannah’s opening offensive play. Chillicothe failed to respond, throwing back to back interceptions, one by Beetsma and another by Henry Hurtgen. Savannah tacked on two more touchdowns, Mekhi King on a 6 yard run and Rylanton Cook on a catch and run from Schrick to score from 24 yards out.
Things went from bad to worse for Chillicothe. The Hornets lined up to punt deep in their own territory but the ball was snapped over the head of the Hornets punter and went through the back of the end zone for a safety. Savannah scored one more time in the first quarter, on a 25 yard screen from Schrick to King, putting the Savages ahead 29-0.
Chillicothe’s offense failed to generate a first down the next two possessions and Savannah cashed in with two more touchdowns on runs from Chase Bell and Cale Wiley. Then Chillicothe put together a promising drive, crossing midfield for the 2nd time only for Savannah to force a fumble on Hurtgen which was recovered by the Savages. In one play Schrick threw his third touchdown pass of the half, and his 2nd to Cook to go ahead 50-0.
Beetsma was intercepted late in the first half, the 2nd pick of the game for Gash Miller, but the Hornets came up with a big defensive stand when Case Stretch had an interception of his own for Chillicothe to end the half.
The 2nd half started with Savannah on offense using Kenton Dudeck at quarterback. Dudeck scored to make it 58-0, one of two rushing touchdowns for Dudeck in the 2nd half. On the ensuing kickoff, Chillicothe created their bright spot. Damian White fielded the ball at the 10 yard line, waited patiently for the blocks to develop in front of him, then flashed his speed, taking the ball from the right, across the field down the left sidelines, outrunning the coverage for a touchdown.
Ultimately Chillicothe fell 64-6, dropping the Hornets to 4-3, and 2-2 in the MEC. Savannah is now 7-0 and 3-0 in conference. Chillicothe will host Moberly next Friday.