"What a gutsy, hard-nosed performance ... this win is a testimony to the character of our young men."
-- Marion County head football coach Mac McCurry
The Marion County Express rolled into David L. Boyd Field Friday night and by the time the Warrior Train headed back to Jasper it had garnered a convincing 28-7 2A second round playoff win against host Boyd-Buchanan.
Led by junior Blake Zeman and his three touchdowns and 173 rushing yards, the Purple and White improved to 10-2 and will travel to undefeated Trousdale Co. (11-0) for a state quarterfinal game Nov.22.
After a 7-7 first half, the Warriors took control of the game scoring on three consecutive long drives in the second half for the win.
On the night, Zeman found the end zone on runs of 4, 21 and 11, while teammate Hamilton Shoemaker also found the end zone in the third quarter for the Warriors.
Opening Drive: Hayden Tudors recovered a Boyd-Buc fumble at the home 38 on the first play from scrimmage to set up an 8-play, 38-yard drive capped by Zeman's 4-yard scoring run. Christian Stephens connected on the first of four extra points for a 7-0 lead.
Long Run to Pay Dirt: after an exchange of punts by Jim Cardwell (BBS) and Shoemaker (MC), the Bucs found themselves on their own 5.
But junior Austin Jackson promptly broke a few tackles and out ran the Warrior defense for a 95-yard touchdown run for a 7-7 tie after Brogen Baker's PAT.
Dominating Second Half
In the final 24 minutes, the Warriors power run game took over as Zeman, Deion Riley, Chandler Willis and Shoemaker took turns picking up positive yards.
Marion County controlled the ball just under 16 minutes on three scoring drives of 77, 89 and 92 yards.
"Did we not say at halftime we are going to take over,?" said Marion County head coach Mac McCurry to his players in a post-game meeting on the field.
Zeman put an exclamation on the win with an 11-yard touchdown run in the final 10 seconds of the game.
"What a gutsy, hard-nosed performance," said Marion County head coach Mac McCurry.
"We had a lot of distractions and clutter this week but I am proud of the way we stayed focused as it's a testimony to the character of our young men," McCurry stated, alluding to the arrest of Warrior assistant coach Michael Schmitt in connection with the defacing of school property prior to the Nov.1 home game with South Pittsburg.
On the night, Marion County out rushed BBS, 373-174, led in total plays, 63-42 and had a 2-0 advantage in takeaways (fumble recovery and interception).
"Marion County is as good as advertised," said Boyd-Buchanan coach Grant Reynolds whose team finished 5-6.
"I am proud of our seniors as they won four straight district titles and our underclassmen will learn from this loss."
Statistics:
Rushing MC, 373-174
Top Rushers: MC - Blake Zeman (28-173 3 TDs), Deion Riley (6-75), Chandler Willis (5-44), Hamilton Shoemaker (5-44, TD)
BBS - Austin Jackson (11-143 TD), Jim Cardwell (9-19)
Passing: BBS, 82-7
Plays: MC, 63-42
Takeways: MC, 2-0 (fumble, interception)
First Downs: MC, 25-10
3rd Down Conversions: MC (4-10) BBS (1-9)
4th Down Conversions: MC (1-2) BBS 2-3)
Punting: Jim Cardwell (BBS), 4-36.0 Hamilton Shoemaker (MC), 4-37.5
Fumble Recovery: Hayden Tudors (MC), Interception: Clay O'Shields (MC)
Marion County 28, Boyd-Buchanan 7
Marion County 7 - 0 - 14 - 7 -- 28
BBS 7 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 7
Marion County (10-2), Boyd-Buchanan (5-6)
MC - Blake Zeman 4 run (Christian Stephens kick), 8 plays, 38 yards ... 7-0 1st Q
BBS - Austin Jackson 95 run (Brogen Baker kick), 1 play, 95 yards ... 7-7 1st Q
MC - Hamilton Shoemaker 4 run (Stephens kick), 77 yards ... 14-7 3rd Q
MC - Zeman 21 run (Stephens kick), 89 yards ... 21-7 3rd Q
MC - Zeman 11 run (Stephens kick), 92 yards ... 28-7 4th Q
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net