BY JASON NAPORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
XENIA - Fullback Chris Sinclair and the Hamilton Badin Rams steamrolled Hillsboro 47-13 in the opening round of the Division III football playoffs Saturday night at Xenia's Cox Field.
Sinclair, a 245-pound senior, was too strong and too fast for the Indians. He rushed for 202 yards on 18 carries, including two touchdowns.
"My line just did a great job tonight," said Sinclair. "Coach (Terry) Malone told me to keep my head up and look for the seams. The seams were there and I was able to bust a couple out."
The Rams also dominated on defense, sacking Hillsboro quarterback Cam Marsh seven times.
"I have a lot of respect for their offense but our defense was able to shut them down," Malone said.
Badin will play Edgewood, which defeated Teays Valley 3-0. Badin's first touchdown was set up by the defense and the kicking game. The defense pinned the Indians deep in their own end, and Tim Nieman returned the ensuing punt to the Hillsboro 24-yard line. Five plays later, quarterback Justin Haire found favorite target Andy Brown in the back of the endzone for a five-yard score.
Badin's next possession amounted to one play, a 65-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 lead.
Hillsboro's inability to move the ball was compounded by turnovers. Senior linebacker Scott Brunner picked off Marsh on the Indians' 30-yard line, leading to a 39-yard field goal from Matt Schermer. Brunner had another interception on the next Hillsboro possession, racing down the sideline to the Indians' one-yard line. Haire scored to make it 24-0.
"It's one down and three to go (for a state title)," Sinclair said.
Hillsboro 0 7 0 6-13
Badin 14 20 6 7-47
B-Brown 5 pass from Haire (Schermer kick)
B-Sinclair 65 run (Schermer kick)
B-Schermer 39 FG
B-Haire 1 run
B-Mayer 35 interception ret. (Schermer kick)
H-Burns 95 kickoff return (C. Marsh kick)
B-Schermer 21 FG
B-Sinclair 2 run (kick failed)
B-Cox 7 run (Shermer kick)
H-Evans 24 pass from Marsh (run failed)
