CHILLICOTHE – Richmond varsity coach Nick Persell and his assistant coaches stressed one word as their Spartans prepared for their Oct. 27 road meeting with Chillicothe in 11-man football: “Battle.”

Teammates Bryer Farnan and Dryden Hendrix agreed the Spartans battled in the Class 3 District 8 Tournament meeting.

“We fought all the way to the last play,” Hendrix said.

That final play was a 15-yard TD run by Chillicothe junior Sol’jier Allen that ended Richmond’s season with a 28-22 overtime loss.

Richmond (4-6) battled back from deficits twice to force overtime. The Hornets (5-5) took a 6-0 lead on the first offensive play, as Silas Midgyett ripped off a 75-yard TD run. A two-point conversion pass attempt fell incomplete.

Chillicothe then staged an eight-play, 68-yard, first-quarter scoring drive, capped by Midgyett’s 7-yard TD run and Javon Kille’s two-point conversion run with 1 minute, 58 seconds remaining. The Hornets led 14-0 at halftime.

Chillicothe coach Chad Smith knew the Hornets co…