Mavericks tangle with tough Irish
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Anderson County quarterback John David Gillum fires a pass during the Mavericks’ road game against Knoxville Catholic. Gillum completed 28 of 38 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns in Anderson County’s 42-21 loss to the Irish. - Tony Cox
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Anderson County’s Zach Happney fights through contact to tack on extra yardage after a reception during Thursday night’s matchup against Knoxville Catholic. - Tony Cox
For the second consecutive week, Anderson County High School found itself under the Thursday night lights against one of the Knoxville area’s top football teams.
And for the second straight week, the Mavericks faced an early deficit they couldn’t overcome.
Knoxville Catholic raced to a two-touchdown lead and pulled away for a 42-21 victory over Anderson County on Thursday night at Blaine Stadium, dropping the Mavericks to 0-2 to open the season.
Catholic (2-0) struck first when Kruise Buntyn scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Matthew Ayo added the extra point to give the Irish a 7-0 lead with 8 minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Irish added to their advantage a short time later when senior quarterback Bartholomew connected with Braylen Gibbs on a 73-yard touchdown pass, stretching Catholic’s lead to 14-0.
Anderson County answered with a big play of its own.
With 4:11 remaining in the opening quarter, John David Gillum hooked up with Lane LaRue on a 57-yard screen pass for a touchdown. Charlie Morris kicked the ensuing extra point, pulling the Mavericks to within seven at 14-7.
But the Irish seized control with three touchdowns in the second quarter.
Bartholomew threw a 12-yard touchdown pass and later broke loose for a 49-yard scoring run before Catholic’s defense joined the scoring parade.
Markise Witt intercepted Gillum and returned the pick 20 yards for a touchdown, sending the Irish into halftime with a 35-7 advantage.
Anderson County came out of the locker room and found the end zone on its first possession of the second half as LaRue scored on a 19-yard run.
His second touchdown of the night pulled the Mavericks to within 21 at 35-14, with 10:28 remaining in the third quarter.
Catholic scored its final touchdown midway through the fourth quarter when Bartholomew found the end zone to cap a big night for the Irish quarterback.
Bartholomew finished 7-for-11 passing for 138 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 106 yards and a score.
Anderson County closed the scoring late when Gillum connected with Zach Happney on a 13-yard touchdown pass to make it 42-21.
Gillum completed 28 of 38 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted twice.
LaRue led the Mavericks both on the ground and through the air. He rushed six times for 31 yards, and caught seven passes for 97 yards.
LaRue accounted for two of Anderson County’s three touchdowns, scoring one rushing and one receiving.