Perfect Mavs earn back-to-back region titles

October 31, 2018 by Conner McCarty

The Region 2-4A Champions completed a sweep of the region, and earned their tenth win of the season on Thursday.

The Anderson County Mavericks (10-0) traveled to Sequoyah High School (5-5) for an in-region matchup. For the Mavs’ players and coaching staff, the regular season finale set itself up to be a tricky one — because of Sequoyah’s senior night, the game was moved from Friday to Thursday in an attempt to avoid rain.

Also, Anderson County had already locked up the region title, the number one seed, and home field advantage for the first round of the TSSAA Playoffs.

Thus, overlooking the Chiefs seemed possible. However, neither the cold and rainy Thursday night nor their guaranteed playoff position impacted the Mavs’ level of play.

For the third straight week, Anderson County had a commanding 30-plus point lead by halftime. Anderson County cruised to a 48-13 win over the Sequoyah Chiefs, and celebrated a second consecutive undefeated season.

“It is not easy to do,” said head coach Davey Gillum. “Us coaches, we are excited. Not looking forward to the playoffs yet, but looking back on what this group has accomplished. They are a great group of kids,” said Gillum about his seniors.

The Mavs received the opening kickoff, and the offense quickly went to work. Tennessee Titans Mr. Football candidate and senior field marshal Stanton Martin led his troops 61 yards on five plays.

Martin went four-for-four on the opening drive, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Michael Carroll. Steve Wagner’s extra point capped off the opening drive, which only took 1:24 off the clock.

With 10:36 left in the opening quarter, Anderson County led 7-0.

The Anderson County defense forced a quick three-and-out, and a shanked punt gave the Mavs good field position—the Sequoyah 36-yardline. When the offense returned to the field—it was Marquis Gallaher time. After picking up six on first down, the senior bulldozer had his number called again. From the Chiefs’ 30-yardline, Gallaher took a handoff around the right end, and raced down to the four-yardline. On the ensuing play, the senior back would punch in his first touchdown of the game. Wagner tacked on the extra point, and Anderson County led 14-0 with 7:31 left in the first quarter.

The Chiefs’ offense returned to the field—for two plays. On second down, Sequoyah attempted to take a shot down the field, but sophomore defensive back Cam Thomas recorded his second interception of the season. Thomas’ pick brought the Mavs’ offense back out, and they started the drive from their own 47-yardline. The sophomore made an impact on the offensive side of the ball as well. Thomas would push Anderson County into Sequoyah territory when he rushed for six yards, then caught a Martin quick out. Thomas received the pass in the flat to Martin’s right and cut up field for a 15-yard gain, and a first down. On the next play, Martin would find his favorite target Carroll on a wide receiver screen, who would work his way down to the five-yardline. Back on the ground, Marquis Gallaher would cap off the Mavs’ drive for his second touchdown of the night. Wagner tacked on the PAT and Anderson County led 21-0, with 5:02 left in the first quarter.

Sequoyah would fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and Cam Thomas would recover for the Mavs—his second takeaway of the game. The Anderson County offense gained possession at the Chiefs’ nine-yardline. After three unsuccessful attempts to capitalize, the Mavs faced a fourth-and-goal from the 11-yardline. Stanton Martin would find his go-to Michael Carroll just across the plane, inside the right pylon for six—Carroll’s second touchdown reception of the night. Wagner’s PAT was good and with 3:16 left in the opening quarter, the Mavs led 28-0.

The Anderson County defense forced another Sequoyah three-and-out, and the offense took over from their own 47-yardline. The senior duo of Ryan Moog and Marquis Gallaher grounded and pounded the Mavs down to the Chiefs’ 16-yardline. Inside the redzone, on first down, Martin would find junior wideout Austin Elliott for six. Wagner made the PAT, which capped off a six-play 53-yard drive. Anderson County had an impressive 35-0 advantage with 11:30 left in the half—only 30 seconds into the second quarter.

After another Seqouyah fumble, Anderson County turned the ball over on downs. The Mavs would get the ball back after the defense forced another three-and-out. However, on the first play of the Mavs’ drive, Sequoyah would get on the scoreboard. The Chiefs’ defense would make Sequoyah’s first big play of the night—a 15-yard pick-six. The extra point was good, and Anderson County led 35-7 with 6:23 to go in the first half.

On the ensuing kickoff, junior Brandon Seidner picked up 40-yards on the return. Seidner’s return gave the Mavs’ offense good field position—the Sequoyah 37-yardline. Martin would find Elliott, which put the Mavs one yard inside the redzone. Ryan Moog would carry the next two plays, and push Anderson County down to the five-yardline. On the next play, Stanton Martin would keep a read play around left end, and waltzed into the endzone. With 4:59 left in the second quarter, the Mavs extended their lead to 41-7.

After the defense forced another Chiefs’ three-and-out, Anderson County would come back out on offense for their final scoring drive. From their own 38-yardline, on first down, Gallaher rushed for 26-yards and into Sequoyah territory. On fourth-and-two from the Chiefs’ 28-yardline, Martin found Carroll for a big fourth down conversion, down to the 20-yardline. The two seniors would connect for a second time on the drive, which put the Mavs knocking on the door. On first down, from the four-yardline, Martin found Austin Elliot for his second touchdown of the night. Wagner’s extra point was good and Anderson County led 48-7, with nine seconds remaining in the second quarter. Sequoyah added a touchdown in the third quarter, but the Mavs cruised through the second half to an easy 48-13 victory. “I couldn’t be more proud of the kids, and my coaches. I am fortunate to get to work with both (players and coaches),” said Gillum.

The undefeated Mavericks now look forward to this Friday, where they will host Union County in the first round of the TSSAA 4A Playoffs. The Patriots are the four seed out of Region 1, and will come to town with intentions of upsetting the second ranked team in 4A. Kickoff for the first round matchup is scheduled for 7:00.