Mavs lock up top spot in Region 2-4A

October 24, 2018 by Conner McCarty

The Anderson County High School Mavericks (9-0, 5-0) welcomed the visiting East Hamilton High School Hurricanes (4-5, 3-2) this past Friday.

Winning the Region 2-4A matchup meant that Anderson County would cement themselves as the Region 2 number one seed for the post season, and would also guarantee home field advantage for the first round of the TSSAA Playoffs.

The undefeated Mavericks did so, defeating East Hamilton 35-3 behind a stellar three touchdown performance by senior running back Ryan Moog.

The Mavs have started games fast all season, and took an early lead on the opening possession of the ballgame. Anderson County started the drive at their own 20-yardline and paved the way into East Hamilton territory with a mix of Moog and senior quarterback Stanton Martin.

From the Canes’ 17-yard-line Moog was given a draw play going to his left, but when he failed to see a hole, Moog reversed field and carried down to the East Hamilton one-yard-line.

His efforts were rewarded on the ensuing play when he waltzed into the endzone for his first score of the night. Senior placekicker Steven Wagner’s PAT capped off the 11-play 80-yard opening drive, and Anderson County led 7-0 with 9:12 left in the opening quarter of play.

The Mavs’ defense forced a Canes quick three-and-out, and the offense went back to work from their own 41-yardline. Anderson County earned a first down and reached East Hamilton territory, converting on two-of-three-straight Stanton Martin passing attempts. On first down, Mavs went back to Moog on the ground. Moog would find the endzone on the second straight possession, after taking the handoff up the middle and rumbling 46-yards for his second touchdown. Wagner tacked on the extra point and with 5:20 left in the first quarter, Anderson County took a 14-0 lead with a four-play 59-yard drive.

The Anderson County offense would return after the defense forced a second straight three-and-out. On a second-and-eight, from their own 33-yardline, Moog would pop another big run—moving the Mavs down to the Canes’ 29-yardline. A few plays later, on a third-and-ten from the East Hamilton 17-yardline, Martin found his favorite target, senior wide receiver Michael Carroll for a ten-yard gain and a first down. On the ensuing play, senior running back Marquis Gallaher carried up the middle, down to the Canes’ one-yardline. Gallaher would get the call again, and punch it in from a yard out. Wagner’s extra point capped off a eight-play 69-yard drive, and Anderson County gained a commanding 21-0 lead with 11:09 to play in the first half.

Both teams exchanged three-and-outs before East Hamilton finally put their only points on the board. A shanked punt gave the Canes good field position at the Mavs’ 30-yardline. However, an intentional grounding penalty pushed them out of field goal range. On a third-and-twenty-five, running back Adam Caudle rushed for nine yards, and East Hamilton sent out the field goal unit to attempt a 53-yard field goal. Nobody in the Anderson County city limits thought Mason, the East Hamilton kicker, had a chance to make it. Yet, Mason would surprise everyone and cashed in three points. The 53-yarder earned a standing ovation from everyone in attendance—classy by all. Mason and Canes cut into Anderson County’s lead, 21-3 with 5:10 remaining in the half. However, Stanton Martin can impress too. Anderson County’s field general only needed two passes to add six points to the Mavs lead. Starting from their own 20-yardline, Martin found wideout Logan Berry for 46-yards to put the Mavs within striking distance. On the next play, Martin rifled a pass to Moog for a 34-yard touchdown. Wagner’s point after capped off a two-play 80-yard drive that only took 24 seconds. Anderson County led 28-3 with 4:46 left in the half, and they were not done. The Anderson County offense returned to the field with under one minute left to play in the half, and still were able to find the endzone. On first down, from their own 35-yardline, Moog took a handoff up the middle down to the Canes’ 39-yardline. On the next play, Martin found Carroll for an 11-yard pickup. The two would connect on the ensuing play—this time for a touchdown. Carroll’s touchdown reception, with Wagner’s extra point capped a three-play 65-yard drive that took 28 seconds off the clock. With 39.2 remaining in the half, Anderson County led 35-3. The Mavs would cruise through the second half to their ninth victory of the season, earn a Region 2-4A regular season title, and lock up home field advantage for the first round of the TSSAA Playoffs.

This week, Anderson County looks to wrap up an undefeated regular season with a trip to Sequoyah High School. The Region 2-4A matchup is scheduled to kickoff at 7:30.