CARBONDALE — The Nashville Hornets are headed back to State for the third time in nine years thanks to a dominant defensive performance in a 44-18 win over familiar foe Teutopolis at the SIU 2A Supersectional. All three of Nashville’s recent trips to state have resulted from wins over the Wooden Shoes.

The Hornets shut out T-town in the first quarter on the way to a 10-0 lead. The Wooden Shoes needed nearly 9:00 of game time to record their first field goal. It was 16-7 at the half.

Nashville delivered the knockout punch in the third, outscoring the Shoes 13-1 to lead 29-8 after three quarters before cruising to the 26-point win.

Saxton Hoepker scored 12 of his game-high 16 points in the second half to lead the Hornets’ offensive attack. Kolten Gajewski added 13. Caleb Siemer led T-town with 12.

Nashville (28-4) advances to the second 2A State Semifinal Thursday in Champaign against DePaul College Prep. Tip time will be somewhere around 4:00.