Mavs look to keep unbeaten streak going
The Anderson County defense could get tested by the Purple Pounders of Chattanooga Central. Here, Noah Colorusso (33) wraps up William Bllount’s quarterback, while Stone Cummins (58) follows
The second ranked Mavs host the Pounders of Chattanooga Central (4-3, 3-1) for a Region 2-4A showdown. For Anderson County, this will be their first test in three weeks — routing two winless teams before their bye week.
Chattanooga Central is no pushover, and expect the Pounders to come into town ready to play, as they were upset by East Ridge last week.
If the Pounders want any shot of upsetting Anderson County, it must happen with their offense. Central comes into the contest averaging 33.6 points a game, but might need to score even more than that. Considering the Mavs’ defense is holding teams to 17.9 points a game, putting up twenty points on them is easier said than done. Anderson County’s high-powered offense is one of the best in 4A football, and the Mavs are averaging a ridiculous 47.1 points per game. It is hard to lose football games and put that many points on the board. The Pounders have given up 20-plus points four times this year, and keeping the Mavs out of the endzone is a task not many teams, or any team in the state would be able to accomplish. Central has been a team of ups and downs this season, and better be ready on Friday night. If Central does not get off to a fast start, the Pounders will be playing catch up the rest of the ballgame. This is because the Mavs have outscored their opponents 116-to-28 in the first quarter alone.
Anderson County’s lethal offense is led by senior standout Stanton Martin, who has picked apart opposing defenses all season—making them look like Swiss cheese. Martin has a high football IQ, and completes 70.3 percent of his passes.
The elite gunslinger rarely makes bad decisions when airing it out. His stats are absolutely absurd. Martin averages 219.3 yards passing per game, and has racked up 1535 yards on 109 completions, with 27 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Michael Carroll is Martin’s go-to target. They have connected 39 times this season, and 13 of those have been for six points. Carroll has 627 yards receiving, and averages 16 yards a catch. However, to categorize the Mavs’ offense as an air raid attack is just wrong.
Lining up in the backfield is a duel-threat ground game that will flat out run over defenses. Seniors Marquis Gallaher and Ryan Moog have combined for 1155 yards and 13 touchdowns. These Mavs’ running backs are mean, so here is a warning before you decide to get in their way.
Thinking Chattanooga Central can compete with this offense is not smart. Expect the Pounders to put some points on the board, and make the Mavs’ defense work. However, Anderson County will still overpower them on the offensive side of the football.
As long as Anderson County does not defeat themselves with penalties and turnovers, the Mavs should get a region win in front of their home crowd, and remain undefeated.