The Chillicothe Hornets football team was on the road at Lafayette Friday night for an MEC matchup. Both teams entered the contest at 2-3, and as potential districts opponents, there was a lot on the line.
The Hornets started strong, taking the ball on their opening series into the end zone. Silas Midgyett got the scoring started with a 9 yard run and the Hornets converted for 2 more. After each team traded defensive stops, the Hornets had the ball again, in the 2nd quarter when Midgyett scored for the 2nd time on a one yard plunge. Silas went on to record 169 rushing yards in the game. Chillicothe was ahead 14-0 when the Fighting Irish put together a scoring drive that ended with running back Elias Chapin scampering in for six from nine yards away with less than two minutes remaining in the half.
The Hornets held a 14-8 advantage but on Lafayette’s first series of the 2nd half they moved the ball inside the 10 yard line for first and goal. Chillicothe’s defense forced the Irish back, ultimately ending in a 4th down sack. The Hornets offense moved the ball but this time it was Lafayette’s turn for a goal line stand denying Chillicothe a score. After an Irish punt Cooper Robinson delivered a beautiful ball down the middle of the field to Jaishon White who leaped up for the grab and took it in for a 35 yard touchdown.
Chillicothe was ahead 20-8 entering the 4th quarter. Later in the quarter, with the ball in opposing territory, Robinson was pick off by Martrehz Thuston. The Irish turned the play into points when Carter Bruce busted a 23 yard run for a score to make it a one possession ball game.
Lafayette came up with a crucial stop to force a punt with less than 3 minutes remaining. As the Fighting Irish were driving Logan Murrell intercepted quarterback Zander Kline with 1:22 to play to seal the victory for Chillicothe.
The Hornets improve to 3-3 on the season and 2-2 in the Midland Empire Conference. Chillicothe will host Savannah next Friday in another MEC clash.
