New look East Hamilton brings 4-4 record to town
The Anderson County High School Mavericks (8-0, 4-0) absolutely dismantled Chattanooga Central last week, 48-7.
The second-ranked team in 4A will look to keep their perfect season alive this Friday, as the East Hamilton Hurricanes come to town. The Hurricanes (4-4, 3-1) ride in on a two-game win streak, and defeated Hixson 41-6 last week. However, East Hamilton’s chances of beating Anderson County are extremely slim.
The Hurricanes are averaging only 15.9 points per game, and will need to double that to keep up with the offensive firepower of Anderson County.
Led by senior quarterback Stanton Martin, the Mavs’ offense is almost impossible to stop. Last week, Anderson County scored on their first seven possessions consecutively, and met their points per game average by halftime.
Martin needs less than 200 yards to reach the 2,000-yard mark, and that happening on Friday is likely. Martin comes into this matchup averaging 233 yards passing per game, has 32 touchdowns with only six interceptions this season.
Expect him to find his favorite target, senior wide out Michael Carroll early and often.
Carroll has 44 receptions for 707 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. The Senior wide out is a great route runner with great hands, and is set to have another big game this week. The Hurricanes will have to limit the Mavs’ air raid attack, but that is much easier said than done, so do not expect that to happen — as it has not happened yet this season.
The Mavericks’ duel-threat ground game will have more success this week. Seniors Ryan Moog and Marquis Gallaher always have big play potential, and combine for 1,207 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
Expect the duo to do the dirty work on short yardage situations, conversions and inside the red zone. They also can be used as a bailout option out of the backfield for Martin. If the throwing game goes as planned, the ground game will open up and give these two multiple opportunities for big plays.
Defensively, Anderson County’s opponents are only averaging 16.5 points a game. Although, the Mavs have yet to see an elite offense that could truly test them.
The defensive unit is led by sophomore Stone Cummins, who leads the Mavs in tackles with 51, and has three forced fumbles.
If the Anderson County defense can get off the field as often as they did in the first half last week, the Hurricanes will be in for a long ballgame.
Look for the defensive unit to continue to force turnovers as well, after the Mavs had three fumble recoveries last week.
Those looking for a team to test Anderson County should not bank on East Hamilton. Anderson County looks to be a hard team for the Hurricanes to matchup with.
Additionally, at this point in the season, it looks like the only teams that could compete with Anderson County are Greeneville and maybe Elizabethton.
Expect Anderson County to win easily against this week. As long as the Mavs do not defeat themselves, the Hurricanes will not have the ability to stay within reach.