LANCASTER — Receiver-turned-backup-quarterback Riley Hilton and Nation Ford scored 27 unanswered points in the second half to rally past a pesky Lancaster Bruins.
With Nation Ford starting quarterback Dalton Helms out of the game due to migraines and senior running back Daniel Jackson banged up, Nation Ford struggled in the first half. Hilton, who finished having completed 20 of 33 for 414 yards and three touchdowns through the air, helped the Falcons storm back in the third quarter to grab the lead and a 37-20 victory.
It was Hilton’s first start at quarterback and he set a school record for passing yards.
“The first half was a little shaky, but I got me feet under me in the second half,” Hilton said.
Nation Ford had three receivers – AK McCoy, Dijuan Ussery and Dylan Yagle – all over 100 yards receiving.
The Falcons’ defense also came up big in the second half with an interception and allowed only four Bruins first downs.
Nation Ford junior Andrew Bruce picked off Lancaster quarterback Kaderious Jackson’s pass at the 16 of the Bruins giving the Falcons excellent field position.
Hilton and the Falcons sealed the game after interception as Ussery caught the Bruins napping and scored on a 16-yard pass to give Nation Ford a 10-point lead.
In the third quarter, Nation Ford used some trickery inside of Lancaster territory and faked a punt as Will Visbeck was able to scramble 22-yards for a first down.
Despite getting in the red zone, Nation Ford had to settle for a 31-yard field goal from senior kicker Corey Condron.
Nation Ford’s defense played better in the second half, forcing Lancaster to punt on its first two possession in the second half.
The Falcons continued their comeback in the second half, using a three play drive with Hilton hitting McCoy for a 48-yard touchdown after Ussery caught a 21-yard strike over the middle to set up the score on the next play.
Nation Ford 37, Lancaster 20
| Lancaster | 6 | 14 | 0 | 0 | - | 20 |
| Nation Ford | 0 | 10 | 13 | 14 | - | 37 |
SCORING SUMMARY
L – Terrell Rivers two-yard run (kick blocked)
NF – Corey Condron 22-yard field goal
NF – Riley Hilton to Dylan Yagle 74-yard pass (Condron kick)
L – Kaderrious Jackson four-yard run (Jackson 2-point conversion)
L – Jackson one-yard run (conversion failed)
NF – Condron 31-yard field goal
NF – Hilton to AK McCoy 48-yard pass (Condron kick)
NF – Condron 29-yard field goal
NF – Hilton to Dijuan Ussery 16-yard pass (Condron kick)
NF – Andrew Barr 11-yard run (Condron kick)
TEAM STATISTICS
| LHS | NFHS | |
| First downs | 16 | 20 |
| Rushes | 35-162 | 28-86 |
| Comp.-Att.-Int. | 11-27-3 | 20-33-1 |
| Passing yards | 170 | 414 |
| Fumbles-lost | 2-0 | 4-1 |
| Penalties-yards | 4-20 | 2-10 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing – Nation Ford: Daniel Jackson 8-9, Riley Hilton 3-15, Andrew Barr 14-30, AK McCoy 2-10, Will Visbeck 1-22. Lancaster: Kaderrious Jackson 21-97, Dreshun Stewart 8-39, Terrell Rivers 4-17, Quinshun Evans 1-0, James Richardson 1-9.
Passing – Nation Ford: Riley Hilton 20-33-1 414. Lancaster: Kaderrious Jackson 11-27-3 170.
Receiving – Nation Ford: AK McCoy 8-139, Dijuan Ussery 7-143, Andrew Barr 1-4, Dylan Yagle 3-112, Hank Tuipulotu 1-16. Lancaster: Kewon Anthony 4-50, Jay Hood 4-84, CD Pelham 1-25, Immanuel Ishmeal 1-10, Dreshun Stewart 1-1.
Records:
