It took a little extra push, a little luck and little extra fight as the Vandals defeated Hillsboro in overtime, 34 to 27, on Friday night at Mark Greer Field. The Vandals rallied from deficits of 13 to 0 and 21 to 7 to pick up the win. The Vandals tied the game with 9:06 to go in the 4th quarter on an 85 yard TD pass from Richie Well to Marcus Zimmerman. And, the Vandals took the lead with 2:24 remaining on a 1 yard TD run by Well, after Hillsboro had gone for it and failed on a 4th and 1 from their own 35 yard line. Hillsboro tied the game with a TD pass from Reynolds to Lentz with 29.5 seconds remaining but their extra point missed to keep the game tied. After an interception and a return to the 1 yard line, the Hiltoppers had a shot to win the game in regulation but with just 1.2 seconds left, their goal line play came up empty. The Vandals scored on their first play in OT on a 10 yard TD run by Well and then the Vandals sealed it with an interception of Hillsboro on 4th and 10—the Hiltoppers on turnover of the night. Most of the second half was played in the rain, which was heavy at times. Both teams are now 5-1 on the season. The Vandals will play at Piasa SW (3-3) on Friday night.
Vandals scores from Friday night vs. Hillsboro:
Vandals-Well to Kelly Jones 25 Yard TD Pass, 2:27 remaining in the 2nd quarter
Vandals-Well to Zimmerman 59 Yard TD Pass, 4:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter
Vandals-Well to Zimmerman 85 Yard TD Pass 9:06 remaining in the 4th quarter
Vandals-Well 1 Yard TD Run with 2:24 remaining in the 4th quarter
Vandals-Well 10 Yard TD Run in Overtime