“A slow start doomed us tonight and we couldn’t dig ourselves out of an early hole,” said Hillcrest Head Coach Derrick Clark. “Missed tackles plagued us defensively and I felt Wheaton established the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in the first half. We looked much better defensively in the second half and only gave up one score after halftime.” 

The Warriors scored just 28 seconds into the game on a 30 yard touchdown pass from Nelson Schmidt to Spencer Ellison. Schmidt’s extra point kick gave them a 7-0 lead. With 2:48 left in the first quarter Christian Krump scored on a five yard run, making it 13-0. Hunter Johnson scored on a one yard run with 10:45 left in the half and Wheaton/Herman-Norcross led 19-0. Hillcrest got on the board with 6:49 left in the half when Thomas Zwiers delivered a scoring toss to John Vallfrom the three yard line. Nelson hit Johnson with a 67 yard touchdown pass with six minutes remaining in the half and the Warriors increased their lead to 31-6 on a 14 yard run by Krump. 

Less than two minutes into the second half Nelson scored on a 24 yard run and added the two point conversion to bring the lead to 39-6. A 14 yard touchdown run by Zwiers and a Nick Foss extra point kick cut the lead to 39-13 and Zwiers connected with Logan Disabella on a 40 yard touchdown pass for the final score of the game. 

“Offensively, Thomas Zwiers had a great game, completing 17 passes and throwing two touchdowns,” noted Coach Clark. “He also added another touchdown on the ground. Logan Disabella was great defensively for us as he led the team in tackles and forced two fumbles.” 

Hillcrest will close out their season with a home game against Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley next Wednesday night.