Box Score By Special Contributor to mcscots.com Chris Cannon
Evan Pittenger wanted to keep Maryville College's hopes alive for a three-peat as the USA South Champions, and he proved that during the second half for the Scots.
During the first half, Pittenger managed only 54 yards on 10 carries, while going 4-of-6 for 31 yards through the air.
The junior came out during the second half, going 116 yards on seven carries for three touchdowns and 3-of-4 for 24 yards to lead Maryville to a 40-17 win and a 1-0 record in the USA South. He averaged 9.9 yards per carry for the game.
Trenton Shuler also had a big game, going 132 yards on 25 carries for two touchdowns.
Averett could only manage 199 yards of total offense, as the Cougars gained more off kickoff and punt returns on the day. The team had 215 yards in returns, as Travis Jones returned a kick and a punt for Averett scores.
The Scots had a total of 519 yards of offense, as they gained 464 yards off 66 carries.
Maryville College struck first with a six-play, 75-yard drive to open the game. Deshjion Whitlock led the way with 49 yards on the drive, going for a 41-yard run on the second play from scrimmage. Trenton Shuler took the ball 9 yards for the score, as Maryville College led 7-0 with 12:26 left in the first quarter.
However, the Scots lead lasted on 14 seconds, as Travis Jones returned Maryville's kickoff 90 yards to find paydirt. Hobie Proctor's kick was good, as Maryville and Averett were knotted at 7-all with 12:12 left in the first.
Maryville marched the field on its next drive, before an illegal block penalty slowed their momentum. The Scots used 16 carries for 142 yards during the first two drives, as Wesley Bloeme hit the 33-yard field with 6:47 left in the first quarter for a 10-7 Maryville lead.
After trading three-and-outs, Maryville faced a punt. Jones again made the Scots pay, returning Kenneth Horne's 38-yard punt 75 yards to the end zone with 3:29 left in the first quarter. Proctor's kick was true, as the Cougars led 14-10. Averett took the lead with only 8 total offensive yards to their credit.
Quarterback Kirkland Brown led Averett on a 10-play, 77-yard drive, as he managed 25 yards across the ground, while going 3-of-3 for 45 yards through the air. A holding penalty at the Maryville 4-yard line thwarted the effort to find paydirt, as Proctor's 21-yard field goal gave the Cougars a 17-10 lead with 12:15 left in the first half.
A 32-yard rush to the Averett 3-yard line helped Maryville answer on the following drive. Three negative-yardage plays hindered the Scots after first-and-goal, as Bloeme had to settle for a 24-yard field goal. With 5:50 left in the first half, Averett lead 17-13. The score would remain until the half.
However, the Scots found their momentum to open the second half.
Ryan Hastings blocked Proctor's punt after at Maryville three-and-out at the Averett 43-yard line to open the second half. Will Winters returned the ball to the three-yard-line, where Pittenger finished the drive with a 3-yard run up the middle. With 12:27 left in the third quarter, Maryville regained the lead, 20-17.
The Cougars marched 61 yards on only six plays on the following drive to gain first-and-goal. The Scots bowed at the 9-yard line. Proctor's 26-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right with 9:26 left in the third.
Pittenger again took the load on his shoulders, busting a weaving 73-yard touchdown run on the third play of Maryville's drive with 7:59 left in the third. Bloeme's kick failed, as the Scots led 26-17.
A Cougar personal foul kept the third Maryville drive of the third half alive. The Scots traveled 62 yards on 10 plays, as Pittenger took the last 5 on his own feet. With 2:20 left in the third, the Scots extended their lead to 33-17.
Proctor's punt after a three-and-out sailed 34 yards, but Averett's Michael Reives forced and recovered the Maryville College fumble. The Cougars marched to the Scots' 3-yard line, but a high snap ended their threat as the Scots fell on the ball on the Maryville College 16-yard line.
With 5:04 left in the game, Trenton Shuler capped a nine-play, 77-yard drive for the Scots insurance score with an 8-yard run. The score gave Maryville a 40-17 win.
