The Cavs are getting closer, but one thing coach Ron Hinton pointed to in his post game chat is to minimize the points Chillicothe’s opponents score on turnovers. Those turnovers gave what Big Walnut what it needed for a 22-19 victory at Herrnstein Field. 

Big Walnut used two Cavalier turnovers, a fumble and interception, to take a 12-0 first half lead.

Christian Johnson had fumbled as the Eagles were inside the Cavalier 30 yard line. Chillicothe’s Isaiah Johnson fell on the ball and the Cavalier defense put the ball back into the offense’ hands. The Cavs fumbled the ball away and a few plays later, Big Walnut’s Johnson scored on a 10 yard run to put the Eagles ahead 6-0.

Seth Myers picked off a Ryan Mathis pass in Chillicothe territory at the start of the 2^nd Quarter and Johnson would punch in a 1 yard td for a 12-0 lead.

Mathis righted himself just before the half. Aided by a Big Walnut penalty, the Cavs drove from their own 13 into the Eagles territory. Mathis found Adam Bixler on a 46 yard completion to the 16. As time was running out, Mathis got the snap just before the clock hit zeros and rolled right for a 1 yard score. Jacob Weber tacked on the PAT for a 12-7 score at the half.

Big Walnut’s Carson Chatterton returned from an injury in the scrimmage season to complete 13 of 19 passes including a 20 yard pass to Seth Myers. The score allowed the Eagles to separate themselves 19-7 and then added a 26 yard field goal for a 22-7 lead.

Chillicothe rumbled back with a 6 play 63 yard drive, capped by a 13 yard run by Tim Beard to cut the lead to 22-13. Beard was featured on the drive, highlighted by two runs of 8 and 13 yards and a 33 yard catch.

The Eagles tried a fake punt but failed to convert at mid field. Chillicothe took over and Mathis finished off a 10 play drive on a 1 yard run to pull the Cavs within three at 22-19.

The Cavs managed 208 total yards to Big Walnut’s 284.

Chillicothe (0-2) will host Portsmouth West next Friday at Herrnstein Field.