Not without a FIGHT
Anderson County does not go quietly into the (Friday) night in non-region loss at Rhea County
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Tate Russell (1) and Kaleb Livingston put the wrap on Rhea County quarterback Kaleb Martin on Friday night in Evansville. - Ken Leinart
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Anderson County’s Nick Moog carries a bevy of Rhea defenders across the goal line for the Mavs Friday night. This score and PAT made it a 35-33 game. - Ken Leinart
In the progress of Anderson High School football throughout the 2021 season, The Rhea County game may prove to be a crucial moment.
Yes, It was a loss.
Rhea County used its home-field advantage to the maximum and thwarted a Maverick comeback to win 35-33 in a game that was entertaining for fans, but not so much for the Mavs.
“I don’t like losing,” Anderson County Head Coach Davey Gillum said of the Friday, Sept. 10, contest.
Gillum should be consoled by the loss (if such a thing is possible) because until the last ACHS attempt with 3.2 seconds left on the clock, the Mavericks could have won.
On the road in a hostile environment.
Against a higher-classification team.
But the Mavericks learned the true meaning of fighting back. The talent has always been there. The coaching, the conditioning, the “want to.” But it wasn’t until the fourth quarter of Friday night’s game that the Mavs played like a team with a chip on its shoulder.
It was a sight to behold.
After taking a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, Walker Martinez making short work on the Golden Eagle secondary for TD tosses to Braden Miller (with just 45 seconds ticking off the clock in the first quarter), and then a Martinez – Bryson Vowell connection with 3:15 showing in the first quarter for a 13-0 lead.
The second PAT sailed wide ride.
Besides the ACHS dominance in the second half, the only significant play of the evening came from the Rhea County Golden Eagles offense.
Martinez connected with Vowell on a slant pattern and the senior wide receiver broke the secondary and sprinted for the Mavs’ third touchdown for a 20-0 lead.
With the Golden Eagles staring on their on 27 the hosts finally found a way to get past the Maverick defense.
Rhea quarterback Kaleb Martin was the key the Golden Eagles were looking for against a punishing AC defense.
“He’s a big kid,” Gillum said. “And he’s fast. They were able to get him in some one on one situations and he thrived at that.”