After severe weather postponed the start of the homecoming football game on Friday night, Miami Trace (4-1) hosted Hillsboro (2-3) Saturday morning with the opening kickoff set for 10 a.m.

The score was back-and-forth for most of the contest, but the Panthers eventually pulled away with a 44-27 victory.

Miami Trace received the opening kickoff, and two plays later Cooper Enochs got loose and raced down the sideline for a 56-yard touchdown. Levi Morrison’s PAT attempt was good to make it 7-0 with 11:07 remaining in the first quarter.

Hillsboro answered rather quickly on an eight-yard touchdown rush by Ryan Burns. The PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 8:03 left in the first quarter.

The Panthers were forced to punt on their next possession after a penalty put them behind the sticks.

Hillsboro would score on their next possession on a 57-yard touchdown run by quarterback Mason Dumpert. The PAT gave the Indians a 14-7 lead with 3:35 left in the opening frame.

A big gain by Enochs started the Panthers’ next drive and got them into Hillsboro territory. Another big run from Enochs had Miami Trace just outside the red zone, and a couple plays later quarterback Trey Robinette found Enochs for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good to tie the game at 14 with 1:51 to go in the first quarter.

The first quarter ended with Hillsboro just outside of the red zone.

The Indians later faced a fourth-and-one from the Miami Trace 15. Dumpert would keep it and get the first down, and Logan Elliott would score on the next play on a 14-yard rush. The touchdown was called back due to an illegal shift, and then a tackle for loss by Panther linebacker Jayden Jones made it second-and-21. Hillsboro opted for a 29-yard field goal attempt a few plays later and the kick was no good, giving the ball back to Miami Trace.

The Panthers were unable to get anything going and had to punt. The punt was short, giving Hillsboro the ball at midfield.

Miami Trace was able to force an Indians punt to get the ball back late in the first half.

They faced a fourth-and-one from their own 21 on the drive and opted to go for it, which they converted on a rush from Enochs. On the next play, Robinette’s pass was intercepted by Nic Burns at midfield with 2:01 left in the half.

Two plays later, Miami Trace would get the ball right back as Evan Colegrove intercepted Dumpert’s pass. Miami Trace would move the ball quickly down the field, getting the ball to the 10 with six seconds left in the half. The Panthers would opt for a 27-yard field goal attempt, and Morrison’s kick was true to give them a 17-14 halftime lead.

Hillsboro had the ball to start the third quarter and would score quickly on a 26-yard touchdown run by Ryan Burns. The PAT gave them a 21-17 lead just 19 seconds into the second half.

Miami Trace would answer moments later on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Robinette to Skye Salyers. The PAT was no good, leaving the Panthers in front by a score of 23-21.

A big return on the ensuing kickoff had the Indians inside the Miami Trace 40. On the first play of the drive, they would fumble the ball and Enochs scooped it up, racing to the Hillsboro 29-yard line before being brought down.

On the very next play, it was Robinette to Salyers again for the 29-yard touchdown. The PAT made it 30-21 with 9:27 left in the third quarter.

Hillsboro had the ball deep in Miami Trace territory after a long run followed by an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Panthers early in the next possession. A holding penalty on the Indians moved them back, and a sack by Westin Dawes pushed them back even further. They were forced to punt and it went for a touch back, giving Miami Trace the ball with 5:18 to go in the third quarter.

Early in the next drive, Robinette’s pass was intercepted by Nic Burns and returned to the Panther one-yard line. Dumpert would keep it for the touchdown on the following play, but the PAT was blocked to make the score 30-27 in favor of the Panthers.

The third quarter ended with Miami Trace facing a fourth-and-inches from inside the red zone. Enochs ran for a first down, and moments later Dawes got loose up the middle for an eight-yard touchdown run. The PAT made it 37-27 with 9:54 left in the game.

Hillsboro quickly got in the red zone after a huge run from Ryan Burns, but the Panther defense would force a turnover on downs on the next possession to keep the Indians out of the end zone.

Backed up against their own goal line, several penalties marred the next Panther drive. An 85-yard touchdown run by Enochs was called back due to an illegal block, and separate unsportsmanlike penalties on a Miami Trace player and coach had them backed up inside their own six yard line. They were forced to punt the ball away and Hillsboro took possession at their own 38.

Dane Wilt recorded a sack on the first play, and Adam Guthrie got a sack on the second play to make it third-and-long. A stop on third down and fourth down would give the ball back to the Panthers with 2:21 left in the contest.

Miami Trace took over at the Hillsboro 39, and Dawes broke free for a touchdown on the first play of the drive. The PAT made it 44-27 with 2:13 to go in the game.

Hillsboro was unable to move the ball over the final two minutes, which made the final: Miami Trace 44, Hillsboro 27.

Miami Trace (5-1, 1-0 FAC) will host McClain (1-4, 0-1 FAC) next Friday. It will be senior night for the Panthers and also the homecoming court will be honored at halftime of the game.

Hillsboro (2-4, 0-1 FAC) will host Chillicothe (0-6, 0-1 FAC) next Friday. The Cavaliers lost to Washington (1-5, 1-0 FAC) on Saturday morning by a score of 28-26.