October 4, 2008

Maryville -- The Maryville College football team played a complete game using a 128 yard rushing performance from Rommel Hightower, forcing three interceptions on defense, and limiting North Carolina Wesleyan College to no big plays on special teams to defeat the Battling Bishops 37-24 on Saturday afternoon on MC’s Honaker Field.

MC set the tone for the day in their first possession. Quarterback Derek Hunt went 4-for-5 via the air and Hightower ran for 24 yards just before Hunt connected with Michael Bosco from 14 yards out for a touchdown. The score finished a nine play, 64 yard drive. Brad Daniell’s kick earned MC the early 7-0 advantage.

At the end of the first quarter, the Bishops took advantage of an MC 18 yard punt that gave them the ball on Maryville’s 42 yard line. Quarterback Bo Jordan connected with Orlando Webb on a hitch and go for a 42 yard score only two plays later. Kevin Quicker’s kick tied the game at 7-7 to close the first stanza.

A Dustin Locke kick return and a Nick Moore rush put MC on the 50 yard line to begin the second quarter. The Moore and Darrell Tate tandem helped push the Scots into scoring position. Hunt finished the drive with a 13 yard scoring pass to Wesley Idlette. Daniell’s kick sailed wide and MC led 13-7.

A holding penalty put NC Wesleyan deep into their own territory, but a 47 yard pass to Laqwan Brodie put the Bishops in scoring position. The Scots defense, who allowed only 39 net rushing yards on the day, stood strong. With 4:24 remaining in the half, Kevin Quicker connected on a 40 yard field goal to make the score 13-10.

Maryville would answer in their next drive with a sustained scoring effort that cloned their first drive of the day. Hightower and Hunt worked their magic that ended when Hunt found Tyler Sauceman in the end zone from seven yards out. The 13 play, 75 yard drive ate up the clock, and Daniell’s conversion sent Maryville to the half with a 20-10 advantage.

The third quarter was a battle for field possession. When Quentin Pope intercepted Hunt on NCW’s eight yard line, MC’s defense saw it as an opportunity to give their offense some room to work. Two plays later, MC cornerback Nick Jensen picked off Bo Jordan’s pass and took in to the house from 25 yards out. Daniel’s kick put the Scots up 27-10.

A Maryville penalty gave the Bishops great field possession during their next drive. Jordan took Wesleyan 66 yards in four plays that ended when he hit Avery Butler on a play-action pass for a 40 yard score. Quicker’s kick put the Bishops within ten points, 27-17 to close the third quarter.

A Kyle Chewning interception gave Maryville the ball on NC Wesleyan’s 39 yard line. Brad Daniell finished the drive with a 39 yard field goal with 6:08 remaining in the contest.

The Bisphop were penalized during the next kick-off and began their drive at their own ten yard line. Forcing Quicker to punt, MC used a Dustin Locke return to put the Scots on NCW’s 26 yard line.

Four plays and 26 yards later, Hightower hit pay dirt from nine yards out for Maryville’s final score. Daniell’s kick made the score 37-17.

Wesleyan tried to battle back with a six play, 58 yard scoring drive that ended when Jordan connected with Webb from 12 yards out. The conversion was good and as the clock ran down, Maryville would cover on an onside kick to preserve the 37-24 victory.

Maryville’s defense limited a strong NC Wesleyan offense to only 39 yards rushing. Kyle Chewning led MC in tackles with 11 stops that included a sack, a tackle for a loss, and an interception. The secondary of Bud Christy, Nick Jensen, and Dustin Locke were strong to the ball with 14 tackles, a pick, and four passes broken up.

Offensively, Hightower’s 128 yards paced the Scots 163 yard rushing attack. Derek Hunt was 16-for-26 for 132 yards and three touchdowns. He found nine different receivers on the day.

The Bishops’ quarterback Bo Jordan finished the day 13-for-24 for 236 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Maryville (3-2, 2-0) will take their undefeated USA South record to Ferrum College next Saturday. The Panther’s Homecoming game will begin at 2:00 p.m.

(Maryville College Sports Information)