Early this season, it seemed as though Chillicothe would have key turnovers or mistakes that put them behind the proverbial eight ball early. On Senior night, the Cavaliers turned the tables on McClain by intercepting two passes, recovering a Tiger fumble, and returning a kick off 71 yards to jump out to a 17-0 first quarter advantage and a commanding 31-7 halftime lead.
.
The Cavaliers used a 71 yard kick off return to the Tiger 15 by Joel Barnes to start the game. Two plays later, Hunter Thomas rambled in from 7 yards out for a quick 7-0 Cavs lead.
.
On the ensuing Tiger series Xzavier Doss picked off the first of his two interceptions to set up a second Cavs score. A penalty took away a Chillicothe touchdown but Jacob Coffland nailed a 30 yard field goal to put the Cavaliers up 10-0.
.
Late in the first period a Barnes punt put McClain at their own 14. Two plays later senior Patrick Rourke forced Tiger quarterback Sam Falcouner into a bad pass that popped in the air and was intercepted by defensive end Jaden McNish for a touchdown for the Cavs defense and a 17-0 Cavalier first quarter lead.
.
McClain’s Matt Bliss gave the Tigers some hope with a 61 yard touchdown on the second play of the second quarter to make it 17-7. But Chillicothe used drives of 52 and 30 yards and two more scoring runs by Hunter Thomas to see the Cavs up 31-7 at the half.
.
Senior Cade Williams stepped over from his linebacker spot to score a five yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and Trevor Lee hit Isaac McCory with a scoring pass late to finish the Cavaliers 44 point night. McClain managed their final score with a pass to Terrell with 10 seconds remaining in the game.
.
Chillicothe out-gained the Tigers 250 to 180 and McClain ran more offensive plays, but the five Tiger turnovers and Cavs field position controlled the game.
.
Junior Kam Smith hit 9 of 12 passes in his second start at quarterback, while sophomore Hunter Thomas rushed for 63 yards and three scores.
.
Chillicothe is now (3-5) on the season and (2-1) in the FAC with a trip to Miami Trace looming next Friday.
.
Technical difficulties prevented our getting podcast of the game.