The Chillicothe Hornets football team traveled to Columbia Friday night to take on Father Tolton. The Trailblazers opened up their passing attack on the first series with a 39 yard completion to set the tone for the game in which the Hornets could not contain quarterback Owen Tipton.
To conclude the drive, Tipton scrambled from the pocket for a 3 yard touchdown run to put Tolton Catholic on the board. Following a Hornets three and out, the Trailblazers went right back to the air and Tipton connected with Gibson Moore on a 67 yard touchdown pass to go ahead 14-0. The Hornets answered with a long touchdown drive capped off with a Henry Hurtgen one yard run to trim the deficit to 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
After each team provided a defensive stop, Tolton attacked once more and Nasir Jennings caught a looping pass in the end zone for a 15 yard score. Chillicothe then put together an impressive two minute drive that culminated in another Hurtgen rushing touchdown, this time on 4th and goal from the 3 yard line with just six seconds remaining in the half to make the score 21-14.
The third quarter belonged entirely to the Trailblazers who forced three consecutive punts while scoring on three straight drives. Tipton added to his passing touchdown totals with another score from Jennings and two strikes to Cooper Brown. Meanwhile the Hornets offense stalled out, including one series that contained a pair of personal foul penalties backing up Chillicothe.
Trailing 41-14 in the 4th quarter, Chillicothe showed some resolve, Hurtgen added another rushing touchdown on a 33 yard rumble. The running back finished with over 200 yards rushing for the 5th straight game. The Chillicothe passing game also began heating up. Burke Beetsma hit both Cooper Robinson and Ezra Leppin on passes the went for over 40 yards, then Beetsma found Leppin down the sidelines on a back shoulder throw that positioned the Hornets inside the 10. Chillicothe capitalized on the drive with a one yard quarterback sneak from Beetsma to trim the margin to 41-26 but the Hornets defense was unable to get a stop and Father Tolton ran out the clock to preserve the victory.
Chillicothe’s two game winning streak was snapped and the Hornets now sit at 4-2 on the season. Chillicothe will host unbeaten Savannah next Friday.