Smoky
Mountain's Ben Robinson carries the ball through a hole created
by lineman Cody McMahan during the first quarter of the Mustangs'
28-10 win over East Henderson. Friday's conference victory improved
SM's record to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the Mountain Athletic
Conference. The Mustangs will host unbeaten Tuscola Friday night
at Carr Hooper Stadium/Babe Howell Field. – Herald photo
by Mark Haskett
A Mustang offense that started early and didn't
quit, combined with a strong showing from the defense and special
teams allowed Smoky Mountain to cruise to a 28-10 conference
victory over East Henderson Friday night.
Coach Tim Hawkins credited the win to a "total team effort."
"It was a real good game," Hawkins said. "We
needed everybody to contribute to win on the road."
Another key to the victory was the Mustangs' ability to score
on the team's first two possessions, Hawkins said.
"We've had trouble winning on the road because we've gotten
behind early in the games," Hawkins said. "A key Friday
night was to start well and get ahead. That got our emotions
and enthusiasm going."
Ollin Dunford made some "terrific catches," Hawkins
said, and David Kelly and quarterback Nathan Medlin were other
offensive contributors.
"All three continue to make big plays in running and passing,"
the coach said.
Medlin completed 11 of 16 passes for a total of 174 yards, and
Dunford caught six for 63 yards.
Kelly carried the ball 18 times for 108 yards and also caught
two passes for 64 yards.
Left tackle Justin Jamison blocked well, Hawkins said, and gave
the offense a boost.
Smoky
Mountain defensive standout Jonathan Tanner takes hold of East
Henderson quarterback Zach Cooper during the Mustangs' Friday
night win. SM Coach Tim Hawkins said the victory was the result
of a "total team effort" and singled out Tanner, T.J.
Bradley, James Bryson, Joseph Stapleton and linebacker Zack
West for outstanding defensive play in his team's 28-10 conference
triumph. - Herald photo by Mark Haskett
"Justin played his best game this year and
provided some key blocking," Hawkins said.
Defensive standouts, according to Hawkins were the whole defensive
line - Jonathan Tanner, T.J. Bradley, James Bryson and Joseph
Stapleton - and linebacker Zack West.
"I thought our defensive line shut down East Henderson's
running game and kept the rush on their quarterback," Hawkins
said.
Tanner was credited with a key defensive stop when he sacked
Cooper on fourth down. East Henderson had the ball deep in SM
territory on its first two second-half possessions and managed
to score only a field goal.
West, playing linebacker for the first time, was in on a lot
of plays and was able to help on both sides of the field, Hawkins
said.
Smoky Mountain put the first points on the scoreboard with 8:23
left in the first quarter on a 12-yard pass from Medlin to Dunford.
Michael Tennant added the extra point, giving the Mustangs a
7-0 lead.
The quarter ended with the Mustangs out in front 14-0 after
Medlin and Dunford teamed up on a fourth-down, 26-yard, TD pass
with 39 seconds left. Tennant added the extra point.
East Henderson ended its scoring drought with 17.5 seconds left
in the second quarter when quarterback Zach Cooper found Dustin
Paige with a fourth-down pass. Mark Ward added the extra point
to make the score 14-7.
SM's third TD came on Kelly's 15-yard run with 7:04 left in
the third quarter. Kelly had runs of 25- and 33-yards to set
up the score, and Tennant added his third extra point of the
night, putting the Mustangs ahead 21-7.
East Henderson's Wark added a 30-yard field goal with 5:18 left
in the third quarter to make the score 21-10.
The Mustangs' final TD came on a 2-yard run by Kelly that was
set up by Bradley's recovery of an Eagles' fumble. Tennant kicked
his fourth extra point to make the final score 28-10.
SM EH
13 First Down 13
30-125 Rushes-Yds. 41-124
11-18-0 Passing 8-13-1
174 Passing Yds. 101
4-31.5 Punts-Avg. 3-44
2-1 Fumbles-Lost 3-2
8-82 Penalties-Yds. 7-55
SM 14 0 7 7 28
EH 0 7 3 9 10
Unbeaten Tuscola to provide Mustangs' homecoming
challenge
Friday night is homecoming, and more Mountain
Athletic Conference football action is on tap Friday night as
the Smoky Mountain Mustangs host the Tuscola Mountaineers.
Looking ahead to Friday's game against undefeated Tuscola, SM
Coach Tim Hawkins said his team will "try to have good
first downs."
"We need to avoid third and long," Hawkins said. "Good
first down plays will be a key for us.
"Tuscola has an outstanding defense that gives up very
few points," he said.
Tuscola's offense is led by quarterback Jonathan Compton, who
came with Tuscola's first year head coach Travis Noland from
Erwin, Hawkins said.
"He gives them a real run/pass threat," Hawkins said.
With Friday's 28-10 win over East Henderson, the Mustangs improved
to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the Mountain Athletic Conference.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Carr Hooper Stadium/Babe Howell
Field. An extended halftime will feature the introduction of
Smoky Mountain's homecoming court and the coronation of this
year's homecoming queen.
