Purr-fect start
Mavericks tame Panthers 28-25
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Anderson County’s Waylon LaRue rushed for 109 yards on 18 carries and scored a touchdown in Thursday night’s season opener. The senior also had 68 receiving yards and 17 kick-return yards, totaling 194 all-purpose yards in the Mavericks’ 28-25 win over Powell. - Zack Williams
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Anderson County linebackers Cody Miller and Luke Carroll pressure Powell’s Deuce Rogers into dumping the ball to avoid a sack during the Mavericks’ 28-25 win over the Panthers last Thursday night. - Zack Williams
The 2024 high school football season opened on a winning note for Anderson County.
The Mavericks took command early, building a double-digit lead by halftime, but had to hold off Powell for a 28-25 victory Thursday night in the season opener for both teams at Anderson County High School.
The Mavericks got the ball first and picked up one first down before being forced to punt, but Anderson County made a big play on special teams when the Panthers muffed the punt and ACHS’s Reese Russell recovered at the Powell 29-yard line.
The Mavs capitalized on Powell’s miscue as Waylon LaRue scored a short time later on a 4-yard touchdown run. Jackson Payne added the extra point to give the Mavs a 7-0 lead with 7:28 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Panthers responded, pulling within 7-3 in the final seconds of the first quarter when their all-state kicker, Dylan Stooksbury, made a 23-yard field goal with 18.2 seconds left.
Anderson County extended its lead to 14-3 by taking advantage of another Powell turnover. Panthers quarterback Deuce Rodgers, with his team driving, lofted a pass that was intercepted by Anderson County’s Israel Small.
Small turned the interception into points, catching a 24-yard touchdown pass from Landen Hensley midway through the second quarter.
Powell scored early in the third quarter to close the gap to 14-10, and the Panthers had a chance to take the lead. However, that opportunity slipped away when they fumbled, and Anderson County’s Ty Murphy recovered.
The Mavericks capitalized again when Hensley threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Johnson with 6:35 left in the third quarter, making the score 21-10.
Later in the quarter, Powell took advantage of an interception, and Rodgers scored on a 14-yard run to make it 21-17.
Hensley, who completed 18 of 27 passes for 247 yards, threw his third touchdown of the game when he connected with Riley Wolfenbarger on a 41-yard pass, extending the lead to 28-17.
Powell made things interesting with a late touchdown and two-point conversion, but the Mavericks held on for the season-opening victory.
Anderson County Coach Davey Gillum said his defense, despite some struggles, made big plays at crucial times.
“The defense was ‘bend but don’t break,’” he said. “We gave up some plays and allowed first downs, but for the most part, we were able to keep Powell out of the end zone. We struggled at times tackling their quarterback, but overall, it was a good performance by the defense.”
Gillum also praised Hensley for his first regular-season appearance in an Anderson County uniform.
“Hensley’s first start was a huge success,” Gillum said. “He came up with key throws in crucial moments of the game. He threw touchdowns to Israel Small, Elijah Johnson, and a huge post to Riley Wolfenbarger late in the game on third down to seal the victory.”