Jefferson County Patriots sent packing
Mavericks improve to 5-1 with 42-14 win
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Anderson County’s Austin Elliott makes an over-the-shoulder grab on his way to a score Friday night. - Ricky Williams
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Cam Thomas makes a move for more yardage after taking a pass against Jefferson County. - Ricky Williams
The Anderson County Mavericks moved the ball well and turned in another strong defensive effort on the way to 42-14 non-region football victory over visiting Jefferson County last Friday.
The Mavericks, who improved their overall season record to 5-1, were particularly strong in their passing game as they accumulated 264 yards against the Patriots with starting quarterback Stone Hatmaker earning 242 of those yards as he completed 10 of his 14 passes with three resulting in touchdowns.
One of the highlights of the game occurred late in the first half when the Mavs drove 67 yards in five plays with the four of the five occurring via Hatmaker passes toward the sideline as the receivers would go out of bounds to stop the clock. Hatmaker’s 32-yard scoring pass to Brandon Seidner 1:11 before the intermission put the Mavericks ahead 35-0.
“We work on those down-and-out pass plays with the idea game situations will come about when we need to drive that way,” said Mavs Coach Davey Gillum. “We were in that situation tonight and it worked.”
Combined with 81 yards rushing, the Mavs finished the night with 345 yards compared to the Patriots’ 195 as the visitors passed for 108 yards and ran for 87. Gillum said his team learned early it was capable of moving the ball well.
“We started conservatively, but once we learned we could make the big plays against their defense, we opened things up,” Gillum said. “We were blocking on passes well and opening the holes when we ran. On defense, both our line and our secondary did their jobs well.”
AC’s scoring opened with 5:31 to go in the first quarter when T.J Holmes scored on an eight-yard run. Daniel Bethel’s extra point made the score 7-0.
After regaining possession about two minutes later, Hatmaker threw his first touchdown pass as he connected with Holmes from 57 yards on the first play of the drive. Bethel’s kick made it 14-0.
Following three possessions between the two teams resulting in punts, the Mavs drove 50 yards with five plays before Holmes carried the ball across the goal line from the six at the 8:19 mark of the second quarter. Bethel’s extra point increased the advantage to 21-0.
After Jefferson had to punt following four plays, the Mavs started from their 39 and used five plays before Holmes ran in from the two with 3:19 left in the first half. Bethel made matters 28-0.
AC’s Cam Thomas intercepted a Jefferson pass to set up the Mav offense at its 33. This started the down-and-out series resulting in Seidner’s TD reception. Bethel’s kick upped the count to 35-0 before the bands performed at halftime.
As the Mavs had first possession to start the second half, they continued their attack on the second play from scrimmage when Austin Elliott hauled in a 29-yard TD pass at the 10:30 mark. Bethel made it 42-0.
The Patriots came back to score two touchdowns – one passing and one rushing – to make the score seem closer even though the Mavs were the dominant team on this night.
Seidner finished with 64 yards receiving, which was one more than Elliott’s 63. Vowell’s 57-yard scoring catch gave him third place among AC receivers. Backup QB Walker Martinez completed three of seven passes for 22 yards. Holmes was the leading Mav rusher with 47 yards.
Gavin Noe’s was AC’s defensive leader with six tackles. Seidner turned in five while Tanner Goins finished with four.
In addition to his six extra points, Bethel punted twice for a 41.5-yard average. One of his punts covered 48 yards.
With four more games to play – all region contests -- the Mavericks will put their 2-0 region record against visiting East Ridge at 7:30 p.m. at Maverick Stadium.