Sports News

Junior fullback Andrew Grothmann scored five touchdowns in Hillsboro’s come from behind 48-34 victory over Hankinson last Thursday on the Burros’ home field.
But it was his late-game interception that sealed the Burros’ eighth straight win.
Andrew Grothmann, said Burro coach Mark Rerick, “continues to be there when we need him.”
Leading 40-34 late in the fourth quarter, Grothmann picked off a Hankinson pass deep in Burro territory. The 210-lb. fullback’s last of five touchdowns and Hillsboro’s last TD of the night a minute later gave the Burros win No. 8 in the 2007 9-man high school football season.
The linebacker on defense also had eight solo tackles.
His interception, said Rerick, was big.
“Offensively, every time we needed a yard or two, he was asking for the ball.”
And the Burros needed their star fullback against the Hankinson Pirates, who just might be the toughest four loss team in the state.
The Pirates, marching up and down the field in the first half, were stopped only when sophomore defensive back Zack Grothmann intercepted a Pirate pass in the end zone on Hankinson’s opening drive of the game.
The two teams exchanged TDs in the first half that ended with Hankinson leading 28-20.
Zack Grothmann, who stopped the Pirate drive early in the first quarter, scored Hillsboro’s other two TDs.
The young running back, who will replace Brian Smelden in the backfield tomorrow against Lakota, finished with 91 yards on 14 carries, a 6.5 yard average. Smelden broke his hand in the Hankinson game and is out for the season.
Andrew Grothmann, meanwhile, ran for 145 yards on 19 carries. He averaged 7.6 yards a carry.
Quarterback Aaron Meyer, who directed the Burro ground attack, had 172 yards on 23 carries. His longest run was a key 68-yard run that delivered the Burros from deep in their own territory.
While the Burros grudgingly gave the Pirates the first half, Hillsboro was credited with controlling and owning the second half.
“Being down in the first half was the best thing that could have happened to us,” said Rerick.
“Too many of our guys were feeling invincible and had forgotten that we have to earn everything.”
Rerick admitted he was disappointed with his team’s defensive effort in the first half.
“We tackled poorly and found ourselves out of position too often.”
The second half was a completely different story, according to the six-year Hillsboro coach.
Rerick was especially “impressed” with his team’s intensity in the fourth quarter.
“It took the third quarter to build a little confidence back. Our guys looked strong heading into the final quarter.”
It was a “knock-down” four-quarter game against a “high-caliber” team, said Rerick.
The Burro pass defense, however, was suspect, especially in the first half. Hankinson’s two quarterbacks completed 25 of 46 passes for 246 yards.
The Burros countered with 479 rushing yards.
The edge in total offense went to the Burros and their 492 yards. Hankinson finished the game with 330 yards.
Hillsboro had 22 first downs. The no-huddle Pirates had 17 first downs.
The Burros ran 68 plays on offense to 62 for the Pirates.
Jake McLean and the Grothmann brothers were the point leaders on defense.
“Jake Mclean had an excellent night on defense for us,” complimented Rerick. McLean, 5-9 170-lb. linebacker, is a starting guard for the Burro offense. Hewas credited with 11 solo tackles against Hankinson.
Rerick also credited Brandon Abell, Anthony VonRuden and Billy Otto with strong games against Hankinson.
Abell came in for the injured Garrett Burg Thursday and VonRuden and Otto have filled multiple roles for the Burro coaches throughout the season.
“Their roles have been invaluable and are a large part of why we’ve been able to do so many things on both sides of the ball this year.’
Billy Otto and Anthony VonRuden are seniors.
Abell, a junior, proved to the Burro coaches he can play varsity football.
“It was good to see him meet the challenge,” noted Rerick.
Garrett Burg dislocated his knee cap against Hankinson. He’s expected to be ready this weekend.
Hillsboro and its perfect 9-0 record will play Lakota tomorrow (Saturday) in the second round of the 9-man football playoffs. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. The game is being played in Hillsboro.
Hankinson’s season ended at 4-4. The Pirates were 3-4 against Region 2 opponents.