Mavericks erupt for 63 in road rout
Anderson County’s Jayzon Thompson churned out 264 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Mavericks’ Region 2-4A matchup against Heritage on Friday night. (photo:David Woods | DW Productions )
The Mavericks overcame an early deficit and rolled to a 63-19 victory over Heritage in Maryville.
The Mountaineers (2-1 overall, 1-1 Region 2-4A), led by former University of Tennessee Assistant Coach Joe Osovet, jumped out to a 13-0 lead.
Madden McNeil hit Ethan Bryant for a touchdown, then Thomas Bowers returned an interception for another score.
Anderson County (2-1, 2-0) answered quickly as Deameion Leavell found Jayzon Thompson on a 57-yard screen pass.
That sparked an offensive explosion that piled up 502 total yards and extended the Mavericks’ region winning streak dating to 2017.
The defense also contributed when Lane LaRue returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown.
Leavell, a 2023-24 state wrestling champion at Clinton, shifted to quarterback after freshman starter J.D. Gillum was injured in the season opener against Knoxville Catholic.
On Friday, he went 8-for-11 passing for 108 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. He also rushed for a score.
Thompson shredded the Heritage defense, rushing for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. He added five receptions for 24 yards and another TD.
Reserves got in on the action as well. Christian Bradshaw scored on a 19-yard run, and quarterback Maddox Tackett threw a touchdown pass to Riley Miller late in the fourth quarter. Tackett finished 4-for-6 for 68 yards.
The Mavericks’ defense kept Heritage off the scoreboard in the second half.
Anderson County travels to Strawberry Plains this week for a region matchup against Carter (3-1, 2-0), which is coming off a win. over South-Doyle.
