The Chillicothe Hornets football team hosted Benton on Senior Night, with both teams entering at 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the MEC.
Chillicothe displayed great urgency from the opening kick. On the first series Henry Hurtgen broke away for a 53 yard touchdown run. Defensively, after giving up a big play the Hornets stood strong in the redzone forcing a turnover on downs. Then Chillicothe marched down the field, scoring another rushing touchdown, this time by Drake Swift.
Chillicothe built a 15-0 lead entering the 2nd quarter and kept the pressure on forcing Benton into consecutive three and out punts. Chillicothe turned each one into points, first Jack Marshall, then the 2nd from Swift, as a pair of seniors found the endzone in the 2nd quarter.
The Hornets were ahead 29-0 at the half but Benton bounced back out of the locker room moving the ball and getting on the score board. Chillicothe’s advantage was 29-6 going into the 4th quarter and the Hornets extended it late with a 5th rushing touchdown on the night, this time by senior Landon Bailey. Along with the five touchdowns Chillicothe also connected on a pair of passing two-point conversions from Oliver Perry to Jaishon White to put a bow on a successful Senior Night.
The 37-6 Hornets win leaves Chillicothe with a 2-3 final conference mark, and 3-6 overall entering district play.