Explosive first half leads Raiders over Hillsboro

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

BONNE TERRE - Senior Mike Miller rushed for two touchdowns and caught two more from quarterback Derek Gibson on Friday night, and the North County Raiders scored on five consecutive drives during the first half in a 42-20 conference triumph over Hillsboro.

North County (1-1) rolled up 333 total yards and achieved all of its scoring before halftime. The Raiders led nearly the entire game after Miller carried the opening snap from scrimmage 79 yards down the left sideline for a score.

Miller rushed three times for 130 yards and caught three passes for 69. Gibson completed 5-of-8 passes overall for 149 yards, all in the first half, including a pair of deep throws to Joel Simon.

The Raider defense forced a quick three-and-out on the initial Hillsboro series, and Gibson promptly connected on a 41-yard pass to Simon. Senior fullback Will Swofford plunged across from one yard four plays later for a 14-0 margin.

Swofford then made a defensive impact in pass coverage with a 35-yard interception return that made it 21-0, as Hawks quarterback Alan Woodland faced heavy pressure in the backfield.

Hillsboro (1-1) responded with a nine-play scoring drive late in the first quarter, as a 36-yard strike from Woodland to Garret Cernicek led to a 1-yard scoring sneak by Woodland.

The ensuing North County drive was in danger of stalling because of two penalties deep in Hawks territory, but Gibson rolled to his right and found Miller near the corner of the end zone for a 28-7 advantage.

The Gibson to Miller combination hooked up again on a deep fade route from 46 yards out with 6:11 remaining in the half. Miller followed his own interception with a 50-yard burst down the left side, giving the host Raiders a commanding 42-7 cushion at halftime.

North County rested its starters throughout much of the second half, and Hillsboro capitalized behind its rushing attack. The Hawks burned nearly nine minutes on 13 plays before Woodland tossed a 9-yard scoring pass to Chico Orlando.

Zack Winchester broke several tackles on a 38-yard run that capped the scoring with 8:51 left. The Hillsboro fullback finished with 93 yards on 17 carries, and made five tackles on defense.

The Raiders’ second string offense lost two fumbles down the stretch, but Brian Jaco picked off a deflected pass inside the red zone to prevent another possible Hillsboro touchdown.

Senior kicker Ryan AuBuchon converted all six of his extra-point attempts, and Brent Marler added 56 rushing yards for North County, which will travel to struggling Seckman next Friday.

Hillsboro   7   0   7   6 - 20

North County  21  21  0  0 - 42

First Quarter:

NC (7-0) - Miller 79-yard run (AuBuchon kick), 11:38

NC (14-0) - Swofford 1-yard run (AuBuchon kick), 7:23

NC (21-0) - Swofford 35-yard interception return (Aubuchon kick), 5:46

HILLS (21-7) - Woodland 1-yard run (Kirkpatrick kick), 1:46

Second Quarter:

NC (28-7) - Miller 13-yard pass from Gibson (Aubuchon kick), 9:57

NC (35-7) - Miller 46-yard pass from Gibson (Aubuchon kick), 6:11

NC (42-7) - Miller 50-yard run (Aubuchon kick), 3:38

Third Quarter:

HILLS (42-14) - Orlando 9-yard pass from Woodland (Kirkpatrick kick), 3:05

Fourth Quarter:

HILLS (42-20) - Winchester 38-yard run (Pass Failed), 8:51