Senior running back Nick Romano carried the ball 36 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns as Hilton scored five consecutive touchdowns in a 35-7 victory over Rush-Henrietta at LeBeau Field.
After the Royal Comets took a 7-0 lead scoring one play after a 40-yard punt return put them at the Hilton four-yard line, the Cadets ran a textbook 16-play, 80-yard scoring drive with Romano netting 56 of those capped by a three-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter to tie the contest.
“We struggled the first game of the year, but after that the offensive line has been firing off the ball hard and that has gotten things rolling,” Romano said. “This was the game to see where we are going for the rest of the season and that we belong in the playoffs.”
Hilton gained the lead on their next possession on a 42 yard scoring drive capped by a Romano two-yard scoring run and highlighted by a 24-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Butts for Tah-jae Hill. Noah Panepinto’s extra point made it 14-7 and the Cadets never looked back.
Their final offensive drive of the first half featured a 48-yard end around by Hill and was finished off on a 14-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Jacob Kelsey.
Late in the third quarter Hilton extended the lead to 28-7 with a 67-yard drive capped by a touchdown catch by fullback Michael Gizzi. Junior running back Sean Meyers then got in on the scoring parade as he scored on a nine-yard misdirection run to finish a short scoring drive after a Hill interception gave the Cadets great field position.
Hill finished with three catches for 81 yards while Butts carried the ball six times for 44 yards to go with his two touchdown passes. On defense Najier Daniels added an interception with senior Kyle Walsh leading the team with six tackles. Kelsey and Justin Tahara each added five tackles with the latter also adding a fumble recovery. Jason Iorio also had a key sack to end the first half for the 3-1 Cadets.
