Box Score Home to Howee 2016 ended in thrilling fashion on Saturday afternoon, as the Scots held on for a 31-26 victory on Maryville's history Honaker Field.
The Scots' Blake Henderson stepped in front of Kenny Hall's pass with 3:08 left in the game to thwart Averett's comeback run. The Cougars scored 20 fourth-quarter points, before the Scots were able to run out the clock behind Elijah Chenier and Nick Myers late.
With the victory, Maryville College (6-1, 4-0 USAS) sets atop the USA South standings as the only unbeaten school in conference play. Maryville has three USA South contests left, as they control their own destiny in hopes for an NCAA berth.
Chenier – a sophomore back from Baytown, Texas – had a record day for Maryville in front of a packed-out crowd. The 5-foot-8, 189-pound Sterling High product stacked up 232 yards rushing on 33 carries Saturday, as he ran for a touchdown. He also had a 59-yard touchdown jaunt called back 30-yard line because of a penalty in the first quarter.
With his afternoon, the sophomore ranks tied for second in school history with his 232-yard outing. He fell just short of Armond Akiboh's record mark set in 1996 vs. Methodist, when he ran for 253 yards. The touchdown Chenier had called back on an MC penalty would have put the speedster past Akiboh's mark.
Chenier's 33 carries also record second in school history, as he sits tied with Travis Felder (2013 vs. Sewanee) and Rod Stephens (1973) for most carries in a game. Only Hubert Payne (2005 vs. Averett) has more with 37.
"It's awesome," Chenier said. "I didn't think I was going to get that many carries today. I was happy I did. My family was here, and a lot of alumni was here. Coach gave me the opportunity with that many carries. To have a big game like this is a wonderful feeling. It's been an awesome day…I'm proud of my O-line. They did an awesome job. If it hadn't been for them, I wouldn't have had that many carries. I'm grateful for my coaches and my O-line."
Maryville amassed 527 yards of total offense, as 353 of that came across the ground.
Myers went 12-for-20 through the air for 174 yards and two touchdowns. With his performance on Saturday, Myers is poised to become only the fourth Scot in school history to pass for 2,000 yards in a season.
Saturday's 174 yards puts him at 1,958 and in fourth place for most in a season. His 15 touchdowns on the year also ranks as the third-best season in school history.
Myers also rushed six times for 49 yards, including the 9-yard jaunt that ended the contest in favor of the Scots.
Maryville's defense stood tall on Saturday, forcing the Cougars to the air. Led by Jordan Early, Ethan Williams, Henderson, Eddie Burton, Denaus Ferguson and Tyrese Slaughter, Maryville held the ground-and-pound Averett squad to just 88 yard rushing.
The Cougars had averaged 207.4 per game before Saturday, as Sean Bowman had rushed for 705 yards on 103 carries (6.8 per carry). On Saturday, Maryville held him to just 59 yards on 19 carries for a 3.1-yards-per-carry average.
Maryville struck first on the opening drive of the game. The Scots completed a six-play, 79-yard drive as Juwan Hill took the end around 21 yards for the score. With 12:35 left in the opening quarter, Maryville led 7-0.
After a three-and-out, MC would hit pay dirt again. Myers found a streaking Mac Seagle for a 52-yard touchdown to complete a three-play, 64-yard drive. It took just 1:06 off the clock, as MC led 14-0 with 9:26 left in the first period.
Averett would use a 10-play, 35-yard drive to put their first points on the board. Cole Westberry notched a 45-yard field goal with 5:50 showing on the clock, as the Scots held a 14-3 lead early.
Maryville used up 5:54 on their next drive, as they covered 72 yards in 14 plays. Ian Hubbs' 20-yard field goal on the opening play of the second quarter put the Scots up by two scores again 17-3.
They would only add to that with 37 seconds remaining in the half. Myers found a wide-open Logan Winders down the middle for a 37-yard touchdown to complete a seven-play, 60-yard drive. At the half, Maryville held a commanding 24-3 lead over the USA South foe.
Averett would chip away, however. Westberry broke the Averett University single season record with his eighth field goal of the season. His 28-yard boot pulled the Cougars to a 24-6 score with 7:11 showing in the third quarter.
Maryville would answer just six plays later. The 53-yard drive took 2:20, as Chenier found his touchdown from 13 yards out. Maryville looked in control with a 31-6 lead, as the clock wound down to 4:42 left in the third quarter.
However, a 20-point fourth quarter for the Cougars would make things interesting.
Hall found the Cougars' first touchdown of the afternoon with 14:15 left in the game. He connected with Terrance Owens from 40 yards out. The extra point sailed wide, as Maryville led 31-12.
After a three-and-out, Averett used a nine-play drive. Bowman rushed the final 7 yards of the 79-yard drive, as Myles Bennett found Owens in the end zone for a two-point conversion. Maryville led 31-20 with 9:59 still left in the game.
A Maryville fumble set the Cougars in perfect position to strike again at the Maryville 20-yard line. Hall made good use of the field position, scoring in just three plays. He found Owens for the touchdown. Bowman's two-point try fell just short, as MC led 31-26.
After a Maryville punt, the Cougars were on the move again, reaching midfield. Henderson's heroics saved the game, as Maryville's rushing attack ended the contest, 31-26.
Maryville will travel to LaGrange, Ga. next week. Kickoff against the 3-4, 1-3 Panthers is set for 1 p.m.
