Mavericks blank Tigers 39-0
The Anderson County Mavericks took the long road trip to Chattanooga Howard on Friday and were rewarded with a 39-0 Region 2-4A win.
The Mavericks’ Michael Carroll returned the opening kick-off 42 yards to give his team great field position at the Howard 37-yard line.
On the first play from scrimmage, Anderson County’s Mason Phillips gashed the Tigers’ defense on a 37-yard touchdown run.
Clayton Utley kicked the extra point and the Mavericks led 7-0 with 11:40 remaining in the first quarter.
After each team traded punts, Anderson County pinned Howard deep in its own end. A bad snap resulted in a safety and the Mavericks went up 9-0 with 46 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Moments later, Phillips broke through and blocked a Tigers’ punt to set up Anderson County inside the Howard 30-yard line.
The Mavericks went a short 28 yards in four plays as Marquise Gallahar powered into the end zone on a six-yard run.
Utley added the PAT and the Anderson County lead grew to 16-0 with 11:36 left in the first half.
With the Tigers moving the ball on the ensuing drive, Carroll intercepted a pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown, further silencing the small and quiet home crowd at Reggie White Field.
Utley kicked the extra point and the Mavericks led 23-0 with 8:33 left in the first half.
Late in the half, Howard turned the ball over on downs inside its own 10-yard line.
Two plays later, Gallahar scored on a three-yard run.
Utley added the extra point and the Mavericks led 30-0 at the half.
The Mavericks opened scoring in the second half when they benefited from another bad snap on a punt attempt by Howard, which resulted in another safety.
This marks the second time the Mavericks have forced two safeties in one game this season. They did the same in the season opener at Carter.
With 9:29 remaining in the third quarter, the Mavericks led 32-0.
Following the ensuing free kick, quarterback Stanton Martin capped a five-play, 52-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Wilson.
Utley booted the PAT to give Anderson County a 39-0 lead and put the game into a continuous clock.
There was no more scoring after that touchdown.
“Our defense is playing well. I know our offense gets a lot of attention but our defense is doing well so far,” said Davey Gillum, head coach of the Mavericks.
“Our offense wasn’t on the field a whole lot. Our possessions were inside the 50 or even better but it’s about playing complete football. Our offense, defense, and special teams have all been playing solid — and getting better,” he said.
Martin finished the game 10-22 passing for 128 yards and one touchdown.
For the season, Martin is putting together All-State level stats. Through five games, he has 1,374 yards and 19 touchdowns passing as well as 397 yards and three touchdowns rushing.
He did not have to put together long drives as his defense and special teams gave him a short field to work with all night and the offensive line kept the ground game churning.
Gallahar led the Mavericks with 66 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.
Phillips had 39 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Carroll had a touchdown and 102 all-purpose yards - 42 on kick returns, seven receiving, and 52 on interception returns.
Ryan Moog led Anderson County with six receptions for 80 yards.
Defensively, Andrew Hatmaker recorded nine total tackles, including two for a loss.
Gallahar had five total tackles while Carroll, Chris Powell, Zach Wax, Logan Dolan, and Isaiah Wallace each had four total tackles.
For the season (five games), Anderson County is outscoring opponents 259-60.
The Mavericks move to 5-0 (2-0 in Region 2-4A).
They will host Heritage on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Last year, Anderson County lost on the road to the Mountaineers by a score of 21-16.
Game Stats
AC Howard
First downs 15 9
Rushing yds. 173 95
Passing yds. 128 65
Comp./att./int. 10-22-0 10-21-2
Total yds. 301 160
Turnovers 0 2
Penalties 5-65 10-57
Time of poss. 22:33 25:27