By Dan Ramey
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The Chillicothe defense did its job while the offense was stopped just once in a 42-7 win at Miami Trace Friday night.
For a second consecutive week, the Cavaliers held their opponent to under 120 yards total offense in improving to 6-2 and 3-0 in the Frontier Athletic Conference.
Chillicothe made its statement early by stopping the Panthers on the game’s first possession. Two plays later, J’Qwan Harris launched a halfback option to a wide open Zach Coats who raced 65 yards for the game’s opening score. Coats, who missed the last two weeks found his way 10 yards behind the Miami Trace defenders for the 7-0 lead.
The Cavaliers struck again on a 19 yard run by Connor Mathis just after the start of the 2nd Quarter. More damage was done before the break as Branden Maughmer hit Will Roderick on a sideline route for a 65 yard score. Roderick, a state qualifier in the High Jump, used his leaping ability to reel in the catch while the Panther defender lost his footing.
Maughmer then connected with Harris for a 35 yard strike to give the Cavs a 28-0 lead with 3:17 remaining in the second.
Miami Trace mounted two serious threats, once as time expired on an incomplete pass as the first half clock expired and the other came in the game’s final two minutes.
Following the intermission, Maughmer race 31 yards to put the Cavs ahead 35-0 just 1:38 into the 3rd Quarter and hit Roderick with his third TD pass on a quick slant from three yards out.
The Panthers lone score came on a 17 yard run by Brady Wallace with just 1:35 left in regulation.
Maughmer completed 5-of-9 passes for 109 yards with three TDs. Chillicothe’s defense limited Panther QB Tyler Taylor to 5-of-20 for 41 yards and an interception by Peyton Shoemaker. Maughmer was the top rusher on the night with 80 yards on 11 carries and a score.
Chillicothe keeps pace with Jackson atop the FAC. The Ironmen were 28-6 winners over Hillsboro. In the other Conference game, Washington Court House defeated McClain 48-10.
The Cavs head back to Fayette County Friday to face the Blue Lions while Miami Trace heads to Hillsboro.
FRONTIER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 10-13-17:
Jackson 3-0, 7-1
Chillicothe 3-0, 6-2
Hillsboro 1-2, 5-3
Washington 1-2, 4-4
Miami Trace 1-2, 1-7
McClain 0-3, 0-8