On Sep. 20, a rivalry was renewed when the Ashland Eagles football team hosted the Hillsdale Chargers. Not only did this mark the beginning of Great Midwest Athletic Conference action, but it was also another chapter in the storied history of the Traveling Trophy, an annual tradition dedicated to Hillsdale graduate Donald R. Mossey.
Mossey was a World War II veteran from Elkhart, Indiana after starring as a guard on the Hillsdale football team in the early 1950s. He went on to become a successful entrepreneur in several fields, playing a pivotal role on both the Seminary Board at Ashland University and Hillsdale College’s Board of Trustees until his passing in 2010.
To begin the 49th edition of the Traveling Trophy matchup, both teams were feeling each other out, with the first score not occurring until the 2:52 mark of the first quarter. The Eagles struck first when senior quarterback Cameron Blair went 23 yards to cap off an 80-yard, eight-play drive, giving Ashland a 7-0 lead after the first period.
Hillsdale quickly responded when they scored a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, courtesy of a 23-yard run by
Ben Ngishu. Unfortunately for the Chargers, the extra point attempt was blocked by Darrius Atley.
Near the end of the half, Blair connected with junior wide receiver Jamari Croom for a four-yard touchdown pass on a slant. The extra point gave the Eagles a 14-6 lead at halftime.
Just 2:50 into the third quarter, the Eagles defense turned into offense when Atley ran 17 yards into the end zone for a touchdown after Elisha Baldridge forced a fumble. The extra point was blocked for the Eagles, keeping their lead of 20-6.
Freshman kicker Manaki Watanabe connected on two field goals in the second half (37-yards at 6:06 in the third, 31-yards at 3:20 in the fourth), while Chargers kicker Jude Barton scored from 25-yards in the fourth quarter. The Eagles ended up defeating Hillsdale to keep the Traveling Trophy in Ashland for the third straight year, by a final score of 26-9.
Blair finished 20-for-26 for 208 yards, completing passes for seven different players. Baldridge had seven total tackles (four solo), two and a half tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble, while sophomore linebacker Jack Talkington added eight total tackles, one and a half tackles for loss and a sack.
With the victory, the Eagles moved to 2-1 on the season. Ashland will look to play spoiler in their next contest, when they
visit the 3-0 Northwood Timberwolves on Sept. 27. Kickoff is set for noon from Midland, Mich.
