Mavs corral Hornets
LaRue, offensive line power 41-14 victory
Lane LaRue slips the grasp of a Carter defender during Anderson County’s 41-14 victory over the Hornets on Friday night. The junior running back piled up 255 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries while adding five catches for 96 yards and another score. (photo:David Woods )
ACHS overcame three interceptions and other miscues to defeat Carter 41-14 Friday night, Sept. 18, at home.
Mavericks Coach Davey Gillum put the victory in perspective.
“But overall, you know, there’s no such thing as a bad win,” Gillum said. “And I think sometimes our coaches and players and fans, we’ve been so good for so long that even when you’re winning big and it doesn’t look like it did in ’22, ’23, ’24, you’re harder on yourself than what’s realistic.”
The Mavericks improved to 3-2 overall and 3-0 in region play. The Hornets fell to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the region.
“So, you know, these boys are doing some really good things,” Gillum said. “Our kids are working hard and we had a better week, and I expect a better one next week.
“It was still up and down as far as we go,” he said. “We had our moments of being clean and playing to our ability, we looked really, really good on both sides. And then when we had our mistakes, we looked like we still got a ways to go at times.”
Anderson County jumped to a 21-0 lead.
“Early, the offense played really well, scored first three drives, and then next three drives were interceptions for a multitude of reasons,” Gillum said.
“Sometimes we didn’t get the right protection, the right route. Sometimes a receiver rerouted. One of them, John David (Gillum, quarterback), just didn’t see the corner come off.”
The Mavericks cleaned things up after halftime.
“Second half, no turnovers; I believe we scored every time,” Gillum said.
Quarterback Gillum completed 16 of 24 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns.
Brayden Sharpe caught four passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, while Jaxon Price had three receptions for 67 yards and a score.
Junior running back Lane LaRue rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. He also caught five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
“I thought our running back, Lane LaRue, had a huge night in the run and pass game,” Gillum said. “The only thing that really slowed Lane down was how tired he was getting from running so much.
“We opened up some massive holes and he ran some big runs and some hard runs, and then receivers blocked really well on the perimeter for him,” he added. “And then John David hit him on a couple of nice balls and he caught them and made big plays.”
Gillum credited Vance Young and Karnell Mills with providing stability up front.
“My two captains of the team and just the rock that’s kind of been the constant in the O-line, the D-line and really our team culture, are Vance Young and Karnell Mills,” Gillum said. “Vance is playing left tackle and Karnell’s playing right guard.
“We’ve had a rotation of guys in and out and moving around. But those two really have been the heart of the team for two years now.”
Young also contributed on the defensive line, recording four solo tackles.
The Mavericks had three new starters on the offensive line against Carter, including junior Trenton Engle, who learned Thursday evening that he would start.
“So, Trenton played the whole game at center,” Gillum said. “No bad snaps. In fact, they were all great snaps. They made it easy for JD to be on time in his quick drops and those things.
“People don’t realize that’s a big deal in the timing game when you’re talking spread triple, where the quarterback’s getting in the mesh, reading the run and the pass at the same time.”
“We were really proud of Boone Carlyle,” Gillum said. “We just got him out for football this year. He was the right tackle versus Carter. But with the injuries and things, he stepped right in and we didn’t miss a beat. So he did a great job.”
Freshman Porter Bostic started at left guard.
“He’s just a freshman, but he’s going to be a dude,” Gillum said. “He’s 6-foot-5, 305 (pounds). Got the potential to maybe be a Power Four (college) football player.”
Anderson County’s defense also settled in after a shaky start.
“The first drive of the game, we didn’t look good at all,” Gillum said. “And then from that point on, about halfway through the drive, we quit killing ourselves, played our responsibilities and pitched a shutout the rest of the night. So they scored the first drive and didn’t score again (on the defense).
“You know, sometimes they’ve had a couple of drives, whether it’s extended by quarterback scrambling and finding people late or penalties,” he said.
“We still had too many penalties. But, you know, it didn’t turn into points. We were able to shut them down every time. So it was definitely a step in the right direction.”
Gillum also singled out safety Jack Davis and linebacker Landon Burnett, who recorded three solo tackles.
“I thought Jack Davis and Landon Burnett both had really good games,” he said.
Defensive back Riley Miller provided one of the biggest sparks.
“Riley Miller had two pick-sixes,” Gillum said. “One of them got called back because they called an illegal block.
“It was a non-factor in the touchdown or the pick, but they called it back. It was still a pick.
“Riley’s a kid that is one of the most talented on the team.”
