LaRue’s big night
Mavs decisive in 35-18 win over Bulldogs
Mavs Cody Miller (15) and Taylor Davis (0) combine to tackle Drew Parrot (5) during Friday night’s showdown with the Bearden Bulldogs. The Mavericks won the game 35-18 and improved to 2-0-1 on the year. (photo:Zack Williams )
While the Bulldogs battled Alcoa in a close game that ended with Alcoa on top, Anderson County was in Johnson City to face Science Hill in a game that never happened due to lightning in Northeast Tennessee.
Although Anderson County wanted to play the Hilltoppers, the game was canceled, and the Mavericks had to resume in Week 3.
Despite this, the team looked sharp, notching a 35-18 victory over Bearden in front of a packed house Friday night in a regionally televised game.
Anderson County (2-0-1) scored first and never trailed, thanks in part to Bearden’s struggles on special teams. The Bulldogs had a field goal and an extra point blocked, botched a snap on another PAT, and missed a separate kick.
The Mavericks opened the scoring with a 3-yard run by Waylon LaRue. Kicker Jackson Payne added the extra point to give Anderson County a 7-0 lead with 2:48 left in the first quarter.
Bearden (1-2) squandered its first scoring opportunity with a missed field goal after the Mavericks took the lead – just the beginning of the Bulldogs’ special teams woes.
Bearden’s Torian Riggins scored midway through the second quarter, but the ensuing extra point was blocked, keeping the score at 7-6.
Anderson County extended its lead to 14-6 later in the quarter when quarterback Landen Hensley connected with Israel Small on a touchdown pass.
Bearden responded with another touchdown run by Riggins to make it 14-12 with 23.5 seconds left before halftime. But a botched snap on the PAT attempt prevented them from closing the gap.
The special teams issues continued for Bearden when LaRue returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Payne added the extra point, giving the Mavericks a 21-12 halftime lead.
“The kickoff return, that was something else, I couldn’t believe it,” said LaRue, who rushed for 175 yards on the night. “When I turned around that edge, I didn’t see anybody, so I just took off. My calf started cramping a little bit, but I was like, I gotta keep going.”
Bearden suffered several player injuries due to cramping after halftime, frustrating Coach Josh Jones. Riggins, who had scored his third touchdown, was injured and did not return. The Bulldogs were already short-handed, with starting quarterback T.J. Hunter and tailback Jayzon Thompson out after suffering injuries against Alcoa.
In the second half, Hensley accounted for both of Anderson County’s touchdowns, scoring on a 1-yard run and throwing a 57-yard touchdown pass to Trent Strickland.
Mavericks Coach Davey Gillum praised Hensley, who threw for 248 yards.
“Landen was huge,” Gillum said. “He made savvy plays that kept the chains moving at critical points, and those were backbreaking moments.”
Next, Anderson County opens region play when it hosts Fulton. The Falcons (1-2) are coming off a 20-14 loss to Knoxville Halls and have also lost to Knox Central. They beat Campbell County 39-3 in Week 2.