The Hillsboro Trojans hosted the Ellsworth Bearcats in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs on Friday night, and Hillsboro would hold on late for the 18-17 victory.
Unlike the first matchup between these two teams back on Oct. 3, won by Hillsboro 54-32, this would be a defensive battle. After Ellsworth jumped out to a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter, Hillsboro would get a big kickoff return from senior wideout Austin Hein, setting up a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Zayne Haslett to junior receiver Braxton Hiebert, and an 86-yard touchdown run from senior running back Jesiah Gooch and only trail 17-12 at half.
Haslett had the only score of the second half on a 32-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter on a fourth and 5.
Ellsworth would get two attempts at short field goals in the final 2:15 of the game, only to have Hillsboro block both of the attempts.
Jesiah Gooch led the way for Hillsboro with 12 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown. Ellsworth’s season comes to a close with a 5-4 record, while Hillsboro moves to 6-3 and will travel to play undefeated Hoisington in the second round of the playoffs next week.
