HIRAM, Ohio - October 21, 2023 -Â It was a day to celebrate for Hiram football, as the team picked up its first win of the season thanks to a 21-point second half and consistent defense as part of a 27-19 victory on Saturday afternoon at Henry Field.
The Terriers held a three-point lead at halftime thanks to a pair of field goals by Chris Miller; the offense would then score on both of its trips to the red zone in the second half, along with an explosive 38-yard scoring connection between Sean Tejeda and Raequan Davis-Hereford to take control and eventually pull out the conference victory.
Tejeda accounted for three touchdowns in the contest – two passing and one rushing – his most in any game this season. It also marked his second straight game with multiple passing touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
Davis-Hereford also had one of his best games of the 2023 campaign, recording his first receiving touchdown of the year behind a season-high 95 yards through the air. He also had 21 rushing yards to fill out a big stat line.
Both teams started slow, with Hiram settling for a pair of field goals and Oberlin being held scoreless until the final minute of the first half. Devyn Mercilliott would record his first career interception in the half to help limit the Yeomen to just three points at the intermission.
The complexion of the game changed drastically in the second half, with Hiram putting together a nine-play scoring drive that ended in a four-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Jennings. The Terriers converted on a fourth-and-four at the opposing 10-yard line to set up the first touchdown of the day between either team.
Oberlin answered with a touchdown of its own to make it a three-point game, 13-10 in favor of Hiram, heading into the final quarter.
The Terriers made a statement with a strong finish in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 38-yard touchdown pass to Davis-Hereford as well as a six-yard scamper to the end zone by Tejeda. Ricardo Jimenez had an interception in the final minutes to punctuate the complete effort.
Hiram will return to road play next week, as it travels to Wooster, Ohio to take on The College of Wooster on Saturday at 2 p.m. from John P. Papp Stadium.
