Larry Kerr comes back to Anderson County
The Anderson County Mavericks (10-0) are the second ranked team in 4A, and have yet to be tested in 2018.
Last week, Anderson County earned their second consecutive undefeated season, and Region 2-4A Title. This week, the Mavs will host the Union County Patriots (6-4) in the TSSAA Playoffs First Round.
The Patriots were able to grab the four seed in Region 1-4A, after a 20-8 victory over Grainger last week. This is the first time Union County has made the post season since 2004. Also, the Mavs-Pats matchup will feature the reuniting of friends, as former Anderson County head coach Larry Kerr (1993-2008) returns to town.
“Most of us coaches played for him, so those are guys we are close to. I think it will be an interesting matchup just from a relationship standpoint,” said head coach Davey Gillum.
However, although both teams will be happy with playing this Friday, a loss means elimination — the end of the season.
Yes, it is the playoffs and yes, anything can happen. However, if looking at past results to help predict future possibilities is your thing, here you go: Union County lost to both Elizabethton (54-13) and Greeneville (69-0) by large margins. If the untested Anderson County Mavericks are truly an elite 4A program, do not expect them to struggle against the Pats this Friday.
Anderson County comes into the first round of the TSSAA 4A Playoffs averaging 46.1 points a game. Union County comes into the contest averaging 29 points a game, and will likely have to score above their average to have a chance at an upset.
However, Anderson County is giving up only 14.8 points to their opponents on average. Thus, Union County has a massive offensive mountain to climb, if they wish to match the firepower of Anderson County.
The Mavs are led by senior quarterback Stanton Martin.
Martin is a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football candidate, and can light up opposing secondaries in his sleep. Heading into post season play, Martin has completed 153 of his 220 attempts through the air, for 2269 yards and 38 touchdowns.
The senior gunslinger averages 226.9 yards per game through the air. On the perimeter, Martin has a fellow senior that he finds often—Michael Carroll. Carroll has hauled in 53 receptions for 852 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, lock Carroll down and Martin still has Austin Elliot, Cannon Carpenter, Logan Berry, and Cam Thomas as reliable targets. The Mavs come into the playoffs averaging 245.5 yards per game through the air. Look for Martin and the Anderson County skill players to have a big night this Friday.
The Anderson County ground game is a two-headed snake. Seniors Marquis Gallaher and Ryan Moog are physical ground and pound runners of the football, and will punish those in their way. Moog has 843 yards on 103 carries and nine touchdowns. Gallaher has 721 yards on 92 carries and 11 touchdowns. To those trying to stop them, welcome to the pain train and good luck.
Anderson County will continue doing what they have done for the past 11 weeks—why fix something that is not broken? “We will always focus on us. We will look for things we need to get better at. We will address those issues,” said Gillum. For Union County, there are two keys to the game. One, the Patriots must be able to move the football and control the clock offensively. The only way to keep the Mavs from scoring, is keeping their offense off the field. Secondly, the Pats must be in the football game at halftime. Anderson County has been able to jump all over opposing teams early, and the last time the Mavs’ starters played a full four quarters is unknown. If the Pats want any chance at keeping this game close, Union County needs to play the best first half of football that they have played this season.
As long as Anderson County does not overlook the Patriots, the Mavs should win easily—again. However, if minds are focused on a possible round two date with Elizabethton, an upset could be in the making. The Mavs will be at home, and it is playoff football—athletes work their tails off for years to make nights like this Friday happen. Thus, Anderson County should be fired up and focused. Expect Anderson County to move on to face the winner of the Elizabethton/Howard matchup in round two.