JEROMESVILLE — Jake Hoverstock was ready for the high school football season to begin.
The senior standout accounted for 226 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns to help Hillsdale pull away from an early tie to dismiss Black River 34-6 in Friday night’s season-opening football game for both schools.
Hoverstock ran for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns, and passed for 119 yards and another score.
Hoverstock opened the scoring with a 33-yard TD pass to Jax Rogers for a 6-0 edge with 9:25 showing in the first period.
Black River forged a deadlock when Blake Hopkins scored from 3 yards out to make it 6-6 with 4:06 remaining in the initial quarter. But the Falcons defense refused to yield another point.
Max Vesper’s 1-yard TD plunge with 8:52 to play in the half made it 13-6 at intermission, and Hillsdale pulled away from there.
Hoverstock scored on a 29-yard touchdown dash at the 4:59 mark of the third period, and that set the stage for Braylen Jarvis. The Hillsdale defender snagged an interception at his own 7 and ripped off a 93-yard return for a touchdown that broke the Pirates’ spirit late in the third period.
Hoverstock’s 40-yard TD bolt early in the fourth quarter was the final dagger.
The Falcons won the statistical battle, too.
Hillsdale had 412 total yards to 213 for Black River. The Falcons enjoyed a 293-105 advantage in rushing yards, and a 20-13 margin in first downs.
Hillsdale returns to action next week at Lucas.
