Sports News

With a sophomore quarterback starting his first game, Hillsboro rolled over Barnes County North, 35-14, Friday in the Burros’ annual acgame.
Starting in place of the injured Aaron Meyer, Josh Mayo, the a’ 5-9 164 lb. backup quarterback, scored three touchdowns, ran for 70 yards, completed the two passes he attempted as the Burros recorded their sixth straight win.
The undefeated 6-0 Burros meet Finley-Sharon-Hope-Page tonight in Finley. The Spartans are coming into the Friday night game with a perfect 5-0 record. The Burros and Spartans share the lead in Region 2 with identical 4-0 records.
The Burros, expected to beat the Bison from Barnes County North, stampeded the herd early, racing to a commanding 21-0 first quarter lead.
Mayo scored Hillsboro’s first two touchdowns on runs of 10 yards and five yards.
Zach Grothmann scored Hillsboro’s third TD on a 1-yard plunge before Mayo scored again, this time on a electrifying 56-yard run.
Fullback Andrew Grothmann ran away from the Bison for a 56-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The half ended with Hillsboro leading 35-0.
For all practical purposes, the game was over at halftime.
The victory followed a script written by head coach Mark Rerick and his assistant coaches.
“Our guys did exactly what we asked them to do,” said Rerick.
“They came out of the gates fired up, and took care of business early on.”
The quick and commanding lead allowed Rerick and his coaches to give the Burros’ first team, two-way players a rest.
“Our varsity guys rested their legs and our younger guys got in a ton of playing time.”
Mayo and Zach Grothmann, playing for the injured Brian Smelden, impressed Rerick with their Homecoming game performances. He expected as much.
“We have very capable back-ups in those two high-profile spots.”
Rerick also appreciated the play of Garrett Burg, who led the team in tackles ( and “found his way to a bunch of piles.” Burg, said Rerick, is making a strong case for starting at linebacker in 2008.
Hillsboro’s scoring didn’t end with Mayo, Grothmann and Grothmann. Matt Schmitt, foreign exchange student from Germany, kicked HHS’s five PATs.
The Burros recorded seven first downs to 14 for the Bison. Barnes County North rushed for 230 yards and picked up another 84 passing, but was still denied the end zone.
Hillsboro had 300 yards rushing and 46 yards thorough the air.
Zack Grothmann was the Burros’ leading rusher with 103 yards on just four carries for an impressive 25.8 yards per carry.
Andrew Grothmann was handed the ball three times and rushed for 68 yards.
Alex McLean and Gary Suchor, both freshman, carried Hillsboro in the second half. McLean racked up 29 yards and Suchor 23.
The Burros lost two fumbles and were penalized twice for just 15 yards. Fumbles and penalties have hurt the Burros this year.
Meanwhile, the Burros are out-scoring opponents 33-10.
That said, the Burros do not want tonight’s game in Finley to turn into a shoot-out, according to Rerick.
Finley-Sharon-Hope-Page, he said, has proven it can score.
“The lower the final score the better our chances will be.”