Hill, Lions run game too much for Eagles

The key for Hennessey in its playoff chances at Chandler was stopping - or at least slowing - Casmen Hill.

It didn’t happen and the result was the end of the Eagles’ season.

The Lions’ standout running back had a monster game as they cruised to a 48-16 win on their home field to move into the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.

Hennessey’s season ends with a 7-4 mark.

Hill entered the night averaging just a shade under 203 rushing yards a game.

The senior got that and more as he was handed the ball 24 times and turned them into 372 yards.

He was part of a Chandler offensive attack that scored three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters and the first 48 points of the game.

After Chandler quarterback Alec Jackson threw for the team’s first two scores, Hill scored with runs of 82 and 2 yards.

He finished off the Lions’ scoring in the third quarter with a 17-yard run.

Hill averaged 15.5 yards per carry.

Jackson, meanwhile, was an efficient 5 of 8 through the air for 62 yards. Three of his completions went for touchdowns and he added a scoring run as well.

All told, Chandler ran for 420 yards.

Hennessey managed 315 yards, but couldn’t muster scoring drives until the fourth quarter.

It was then that quarterback Titan Hix threw touchdowns of 17 yards to Weston Smith and 45 yards to Langston Smith.

Hix was 14 of 32 for 171 yards and was picked off twice. He also ran for 108 yards.

Weston Smith caught 10 passes for 87 yards to lead the team in both categories.

Kevin Trillo and Seth Simunek had eight tackles apiece for Hennessey.

Chandler improved to 8-3 with the win. The Lions travel to Frederick for the second round.