By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Something about districts brings out the best in the Hillcrest Hornets.
For the fourth time in five years, the Hornets played the role of spoiler and pulled off a road upset in their district opener.
Friday night’s 19-18 victory over Parkview in the Class 5 District 6 quarterfinals gives Hillcrest its second win and, more importantly, keeps the Hornets buzzing for another week.
“We really take districts seriously. We don’t like losing and we don’t want to go home with our season over,” said Hillcrest linebacker Aiden Myers. “During the playoffs, we give it our all. We should do that every game, obviously, but it’s just different now.
“Everything’s different in districts. We know it’s win or go home, and we want to stay.”
Since 2020, Hillcrest has beaten Logan-Rogersville (twice), Carl Junction and now Parkview in the first round of districts.
Hillcrest’s record this season (2-8) doesn’t show the effort or progress the team has made.
Three of Hillcrest’s losses were by 10 points or fewer, including a 38-35 loss at Parkview just two weeks ago.
“It’s a testament to these kids and the way they play,” said Hillcrest coach Keenan Ganz. “It hasn’t been an easy season for us. It’s been tough mentally, emotionally and physically. We’ve had some close games that we weren’t able to pull out.
“We wanted to get this one. Our theme this week was ‘vengeance.’”
After Parkview led 18-13 at halftime, the Hornets turned in one of their best – and certainly longest – drives of the season to swing momentum.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Hillcrest began the second half with a 17-play scoring drive that chewed eight minutes off the clock.
“We’re not an explosive offense, but our kids can grind out three or four yards at a time,” Ganz said. “Three or four yards at a time is something we have to be good with. We stayed patient and kept with it and made a play to get into the endzone.”
On 4th and goal from the 5, Hillcrest quarterback Braxton Tindle found Ethan Weaver for a touchdown pass that put the Hornets in front 19-18.
“The (play) was supposed to go the other way, but pressure came and so I just rolled out and threw it to my guy,” Tindle said. “I trust him.”
Tindle being the team’s quarterback is a story itself. He made a late position change over the summer, switching from linebacker to quarterback, due to injuries and unexpected roster changes.
The Hornets asked Tindle to be an “insurance policy” at quarterback. The backup plan came to fruition once the projected starter (Weaver) switched to a new position (receiver) due to injury.
“Over the summer, (Ganz) said that we might need a guy (at quarterback). So, I was there to step up,” Tindle said.
Tindle was one of the best players in the game on Friday night, tallying over 150 total yards from scrimmage.
“I love Braxton. He’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever been around. He’s done so well in a tough situation,” Ganz said. “He plays so hard and he puts the team first every week. I’m so proud of him.”
Hillcrest’s defense, after a shaky first half, was stingy over the final two quarters. The Hornets held the Vikings to just three first downs after halftime.
Parkview still had a chance to win at the end, as the Vikings nearly re-took the lead with about 1:30 remaining.
But Redje Leveille’s spectacular, 40-yard catch-and-run touchdown on 4th down was negated by a penalty – a common theme for the Vikings on the night. Officials ruled the Parkview quarterback was already past the line of scrimmage when the pass was thrown.
Hillcrest would run out the clock in victory formation.
Parkview junior running back Khasye Highley had a huge performance in the loss, tallying 186 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. Most of the damage happened early in the game. The Hornets limited Highley to just 10 yards after halftime.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE GAME
“He was hitting the inside, but then bouncing out,” Myers said. “We switched our (defensive tackles) up to a new spot. Then the linebackers, we realized we could hit the center and probably get through there. We just tried to keep (Highley) contained on the outside and push him inside. It worked out pretty well in the second half.”
Said Ganz: “Highley’s a really good back. He’s tough to tackle. We had opportunities in the backfield in the first half and he made guys miss. We made some changes up front to try to contain him a little bit, and it did end up working out for us. We got our linebackers to plug holes faster.”
In the first half, Hillcrest kept pace with Parkview thanks to big plays from its defense and special teams.
Myers had a 30-yard pick-six on the first play of the game.
When Highley’s third touchdown of the first half put the Vikings up 18-6, Hillcrest junior JaMarion Rowell returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown.
After a sloppy showing in the loss to Parkview two weeks ago, Hillcrest played mostly mistake-free on Friday night.
“We didn’t have nearly as many penalties tonight, and that was a big goal for us,” Myers said. “We couldn’t have a million penalties like last time. We just tried to learn from that game and improve.”
Hillcrest will travel to Republic (8-2) next Friday night. Branson hosts Glendale in the other Class 5 District 6 Tournament semifinal.
Parkview finishes 4-6 overall. The four wins are the most for the program since 2018, which was also the last time the Vikings won a district game.
Hillcrest 19, Parkview 18
Hillcrest 6 7 6 0 — 19
Parkview 6 12 0 0 — 18
First quarter
Hillcrest – Myers 30 interception return (kick failed)
Parkview – Highley 2 run (pass failed)
Second quarter
Parkview – Highley 12 run (run failed)
Parkview – Highley 2 run (pass failed)
Hillcrest – Rowell 65 kick return (Miller kick)
Third quarter
Hillcrest – Weaver 5 catch from Tindle (run failed)
STAT LEADERS (Unofficial)
Hillcrest passing: Tindle 10/21, 55 yards, 1 TD
Parkview: Otto 3/15, 33 yards, 1 INT
Hillcrest rushing: Tindle 15/112; Cochran 8/33
Parkview rushing: Highley 30/186, 3 TDs; Otto 4/47
Hillcrest receiving: Weaver 3/18, 1 TD; Myers 2/12
Parkview receiving: Hampton 2/22; McGinnis 1/11
