Mavs attempt to cap off undefeated season
The Anderson County Mavericks (9-0, 4-0) took down the East Hamilton Hurricanes (4-5, 3-2) last Friday, 35-3. For the second straight week, the Region 2-4A Champions have routed their opponent by halftime.
The Mavericks’ victory sealed the Region 2-4A Regular Season Title, and locked up home field for the first round of the TSSAA playoffs. Anderson County has yet to truly be tested, and they will not be this week. The number two ranked team in 4A goes on the road this Friday to face in-region foe Sequoyah (5-4, 1-4).
The Chiefs come into the matchup off a bye week, and carry with them a three game losing streak. Even with a week of rest, the Chiefs have a slim chance this Friday.
Unfortunately, it would not be surprising if this game is over by halftime too. It shows on paper, how elite Anderson County truly is. The Mavericks are averaging 45.9 points per game, the Chiefs average 28.7.
The Mavs average 454.7 yards of total offense per game, the Chiefs average 357. The list goes on and on. Anderson County quarterback Stanton Martin hit the 2000-passing yards mark, and now has 2095 yards through the air, 34 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions. Oh, and if Martin is enough to worry about. The big senior duo of Ryan Moog and Quis Gallaher will add fuel to the fire. Moog leads the Mavs in total rushing yards, with 797. Gallaher follows closely behind his teammate with 643 total yards rushing. They both have nine touchdowns on the year. Oh, and there is senior wide out Michael Carroll on the perimeter. Carroll has been on the receiving end of 16 Martin touchdown passes this year, and leads Anderson County in catches and receiving yards—48-for-761.
Good luck stopping those four Mavs, and a team that does not hurt itself often. Last week, the Mavs had their only had two penalties and were five-of-ten on third down conversions. If they continue to play like they have been, Friday night’s game should not be a close one—Mavs win easily.
However, Anderson County could lose to Sequoyah by 100 points, and the result would not impact November 2—Round one of the TSSAA Playoffs. The Mavs have already locked in the one seed and home field advantage. As it stands right now, if nothing crazy happened in Region 1-4A, Anderson County would host either Union County or Grainger, who are tied for the fourth seed.
For everybody associated with Anderson County Football, the current top-of-the-world, 9-0 feeling is wonderful and well-deserved. Yet, see this warning—the Mavs easily have the hardest road in 4A, regarding to reaching just the State Semifinals. No, not the state championship game, but the hardest road to the final four.
Upsets happen, but if they do not, Anderson County could meet both 4A powerhouses Elizabethton and Greeneville. The Mavs have yet to be tested, will not be tested this week, and might not be tested in the first round. However, in a couple weeks, many questions about Anderson County will be answered.
Through nine wins, Anderson County has yet to play in a game decided by 13 points or fewer margin. As the post season nears, one big unanswered question inevitably arises—When Anderson County finally gets punched in the mouth by somebody their caliber, do the Mavs know how to respond and battle through adversity? Only time will tell.