What a difference seven days can make in this strange year of 2020. After riding high with a big win over unbeaten Jackson and an undefeated FAC championship last week, the Chillicothe Cavaliers were only able to dress 18 players and lose to a Miami Trace team that they beat 44-3 just two weeks ago.
Included in the Cavs limited numbers, due to the quarantine of players that were possibly exposed to COVID, were the loss of their starting and backup quarterbacks.
Meanwhile Miami Trace got back two big offensive weapons in wide receiver Josh Gilmore and tailback Jayden LeBeau. Gilmore and LeBeau led the Panther offense to 354 total yards. Gilmore caught three touchdown passes on the night.
Chillicothe got on the board first with a 60 yard scoring drive led by a couple of Tylin Scales big runs. Maxwell Lee carried it across from 3 yards out and a 6-0 lead after a failed two point conversion ( the Cavs had no kickers dressed for the game).
The Panthers answered with a 65 yard drive and Gilmore’s first TD catch from quarterback Wes Melvin.
Chillicothe went on a 71 yard march again riding a Scales 40 yard romp to the five. Jaiden Cain ran it in from one yard out from his quarterback slot and Scales ran in the conversion to give the Cavaliers a 14-6 lead late in the first half.
It looked like Chillicothe would head to halftime with the lead and momentum but after the Panthers pinned the Cavaliers on their one yard line, the Cavs had to punt out of their end zone with just 20 seconds left.
Gilmore returned the ball to the Cavs 27. With time running out in the half, Melvin launched a Hail Mary type throw that Gilmore took away from a waiting Cavalier defender for a huge MT score that seemed to change momentum headed to the second half.
Miami Trace controlled the third quarter, scoring the go ahead score on their second drive. Melvin found McBee on a cross and after breaking a tackle McBee completed a 29 yard scoring pass.
The Cavs finally regained some momentum driving to the Panther 27 as Cain started to get some rhythm at quarterback. The Cavs trailed only 20-14 but the drive stalled. Chillicothe then quickly forced MT in to a third and twenty five.
The Cavs had a final chance to get the ball back down six, but Melvin found Gilmore behind everyone for a victory clinching 67 yard touchdown pass and a 27-14 MT lead.
LeBeau ran for 152 yards and Gilmore caught three of Melvin’s touchdown passes. Melvin threw for 194 yards and had four touchdown passes.
Jaiden Cain, who had not played quarterback in several years, wound up hitting 11-19 for 106 yards with one interception. Scales led all rushers with 158 yards in 19 carries for the Cavs.
Miami Trace is now (4-3) and advances to play London next week. Chillicothe still owns the FAC championship and is (5-2) overall.
Chillicothe will make a decision this week on whether they will still play more regular season games in lieu of their current situation with available players and the COVID quarantine situation.