The #3 seed Chillicothe Hornets were in Maryville Friday night for the Class 3 District 8 semifinal against the #2 Spoofhounds.
With a spot in the district finals on the line, both defenses came out aggressive, combining to force punts on the first 5 possessions of the game. In the 2nd quarter still scoreless, Maryville was in the red zone before their quarterback Jackson Dredge was intercepted by Chillicothe’s Ezra Leppin. Maryville forced another punt and this time produced a touchdown from a 1 yard run from Sadler Viau. The home team then got the ball back again late in the first half and scored in the final 70 seconds with Gavin McAtee ripping off a 30 yard run to the house. Maryville took a 14-0 lead into halftime.
To start the 3rd quarter, the Hornets appeared to make a game changing play. With Maryville back in Chillicothe territory, McAtee fumbled the football, it was scooped up by Jaishon White who stiff armed Dredge and took the ball 65 yards for an apparent scoop and score. However, the officials marked the ball back at the spot of the recovery and Chillicothe failed to convert the turnover into points.
After another Hornets punt, Maryville connected on a downfield pass play facing 3rd and long. Dredge found Cole Zarbano deep in the corner for a 29 yard score. Up 21-0, Maryville proceeded to execute a surprise onside kick which they recovered and turned into the 2nd Sadler Viau rushing score of the night.
Maryville was ahead 27-0 in the 4th quarter when Dredge completed his 2nd touchdown pass of the game, this one deep down the seem to Jackson Wilmes. In the final minutes, with a 35-0 lead, Maryville was intercepted again by the Hornets who won the turnover battle three to nothing but were unable to score against the stingy Spoofhounds defense.
Chillicothe falls in defeat at Maryville in the Class 3 District 8 semifinal game 35-0. The Hornets and Coach Chad Smith finish the season at 5-6.