Marion Co. Advances With 28-14 Win Over Tyner

Warriors Win Seventh Straight; Will Face Unbeaten Hampton Next

  • Friday, November 20, 2015
  • John Hunt

JASPER -- Tyner's Ram Train had been rolling at a pretty fast pace in recent weeks, but they got knocked off track here at Bill Baxter Stadium Friday night.

Facing the once-beaten Marion County Warriors in the third round of the TSSAA Class 2-A playoffs, the Rams couldn't stop the Warriors on critical downs and dropped a 28-14 decision.

Marion County is now 12-1 and will travel to upper East Tennessee next Friday for a date with the unbeaten Hampton Bulldogs.

Tyner finishes an outstanding season at 9-4.

"I think the biggest difference was the fact that we took care of the ball," said winning coach Ricky Ross following the hard-hitting contest.

"Special teams were huge with the two field goals and we didn't give up many big plays on defense.  Our offense did a phenomenal job as we kept pressure on them, but we knew it would be a battle and it was.

 "That long pass play was critical and may have been the turning point in the game, but I'm just happy to still be playing.  These kids have done a great job of getting better with each week and I thought we may have worn them down a little bit in the second half.

"But I'm really proud of my team.  I thought they played well tonight against a good Tyner team," Ross added.

After an exchange of punts at the start of the game, the Warriors scored first when Josh Henderson bulled into the end zone from the 1, capping a nine-play, 50-yard drive that took just 2:23.

Jacob Saylors had picked up 18 yards on the first play while a 17-yard gain by quarterback Logan Walters on a key third-and-11 was also big as that played gave his team first down at the Tyner 11.  Henderson scored four plays later.

Christian Stephens booted the extra point and the hosts had a 7-0 lead with 6:26 left in the opening stanza.

Tyner's defense really did a nice job of keeping the Rams in the game during the first half as the Warriors got into the red zone twice, but had to settle for a pair of field goals by Stephens, the first of 21 yards with 6:50 left in the second quarter and the second one good from 27 on the final play of the half.

Tyner finally scored with 3:43 showing in the third quarter when quarterback Emmanuel Moss hooked up with Jarvan DeLoach on a 55-yard scoring pass across the middle.  Christian Lopez booted the extra point and the Rams were suddenly back in it.

Marion made it a two possession game in a hurry with another touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter, Walters hooking up with Quin Beasley on a long pass play down the middle that covered 71 yards with 28 seconds left in the quarter.  Hunter McClain's conversion run extended the lead to 21-7 when the third quarter ended.

Shannon Spralls scored on a seven-yard run with 5:44 to play as Tyner kept battling to get within 21-14 following Lopez' kick and the Rams forced a Warrior punt on the next possession, but Bryce Massengale intercepted a Moss pass and returned it to the 29 as the clock dipped under the two-minute mark.

The Rams were flagged for being offsides to move the ball to the 24 and McClain took it to the house on the first play to conclude the scoring.

Despite the loss, Tyner coach Wayne Turner was just thankful for an outstanding season.

"That was a good battle by both teams and I'm proud of the way we played with fight and heart.  We got off to a slow start in the first half as we just couldn't get anything going, but Marion County had a lot to do with that.

 "But we had an outstanding season and I'm proud of the way these kids turned things around.  We were 2-8 last year and that same group went 9-4 this year, so I'm happy with that," he concluded with a smile.

The Warriors finished with 338 total yards, including 216 on the ground and 122 through the air.

McClain led the Marion ground game with 117 yards on 24 carries while Walters followed with 34 yards on eight attempts.

Beasley had the biggest pass reception with his 71 yarder.  Saylors had two catches for 38 yards while Hunter Zeman had one for 13.

Tyner countered with 220 total yards, including 90 on the ground and 130 through the air.

Spralls led the Ram rushers with 90 yards on 13 carries while DeLoach had three receptions for 67 yards.  Chad Chubb had two catches for 42 while Juwan Samuels also had two catches for 12 yards.

Marion County also won the first-down battle by a 16-13 margin.

TYNER  0  0  7  7  --  14

MARION CO.  7  6  8  7  --  28

MAR -- Josh Henderson 1 run (Christian Stephens kick), 6:26 left in first;

MAR -- Stephens 21 field goal, 6:50 left in second;

MAR -- Stephens 27 field goal, final play of second;

TY -- Jarvan DeLoach 55 pass from Emmanuel Moss (Christian Lopez kick), 3:43 left in third;

MAR -- Quin Beasley 71 pass from Logan Walters (Hunter McClain run), 0:28.1 left in third;

TY -- Shannon Spralls 7 run (Lopez kick), 5:44 left in fourth;

MAR -- McClain 24 run (Stephens kick), 1:30 left in fourth.

(email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

 

Sports
UTC Sofbtall Hosts ETSU In Friday Doubleheader
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga softball team returns to Frost Stadium for a seven-game home stand that begins Friday afternoon against East Tennessee State in Southern Conference action. The Mocs are 21-8 ... more

Covenant Men's Tennis Loses 6-3
  • 3/28/2024

The Covenant Scots looked to boost their nonconference tennis resume with a win on the road at Oglethorpe. Covenant was unable to get the job done, as it fell 3-6. Final: Covenant 3, Oglethorpe ... more

7 Football Mocs Participate In Annual Pro Day
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs had a 7-man contingent go through their paces in front of NFL scouts at the annual Pro Day. It started in the Wolford Family Strength & Conditioning Center before shifting ... more