WEST LAFAYETTE − When Hillsdale football players, coaches and fans look back some years later at the Falcons’ second straight Division VII regional title they clinched Friday evening over familiar postseason foe Danville 25-20, they just might point to one defensive play and one offensive series that were proved to be noteworthy in the victory.
Up 25-20 in the fourth quarter with about 1:45 minutes to go and Danville with the ball on offense pinned back into their own half of the field, Hillsdale’s defense likely needed to hold the Blue Devils in check on this series and they were home free. On Danville’s first offensive play of the series, you could see a screen play developing from the sidelines.
You know who else saw it developing?
That would be Hillsdale linebacker Jesse Trevathan, who made a sudden read on the play, jumped the pass, intercepted it and held onto the possession of the football as he wrestled with a Danville player for the ball as he went to the ground.
Interception Hillsdale!
A few played later, Hillsdale got a first down to run the clock out
Trevathan’s interception turned out to be the only turnover of the game, and it was a game-sealing one at that.
“I told our corner Brock (Bower), ‘The screen’s coming! The screen’s coming!'”, said Trevathan, describing the play. “I went outside and it was right there.”
“I’m proud of Jesse. He made a great play on the ball and got a huge turnover for us,” said Hillsdale head coach Trevor Cline. “It hasn’t always been easy for Jesse this season. Dealing with an injury, but he’s worked hard to be on the field and he made a huge play there at the end.”
(Story will be updated.)
jamessimpson@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Well-earned! Hillsdale hold off Danville, heading back to the Div. VII state Final Four
Reporting by James Simpson II, Wooster Daily Record / The Daily Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
