Maryville Holds on at Shenandoah to Complete 3-0 Nonconference Run
WINCHESTER, Va. – Maryville made it three nonconference wins out of three in a game that was nearly a blowout but ended up being a nailbiter.
The Scots held on 27-20 against Shenandoah to avenge last year's close loss to the Hornets. Saturday's game was part of the USA South/ODAC Challenge, and Maryville did its part for the league.
This one really wasn't that close. Maryville led 27-6 with 8 minutes remaining before the host Hornets staged a furious rally. Just like Maryville did last year!
And just like a year ago, the home team's comeback fell just shy.
"It's a really good win," Scots head coach Ben Fox said. "They were getting votes in the national top 25, they beat us last year, and we went on the road and played without five key guys. It's really a feather in our cap to get that win done."
Shenandoah scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 7:59 remaining and then got a 30-yard blocked punt return from Keyshawn Wilder with 5:08 showing to really make things tight.
Defense Closes It Out
But Maryville put together a 4½-minute drive that milked most of the time off the clock. Shenandoah's last-gasp drive began at its own 35 with 35 seconds remaining, and the Hornets could not muster a single yard in four plays against the Maryville defense.
"Our defense played lights out," Fox said. "They played awesome."
The Scots got on the board first with 10 points in the opening quarter. After forcing an initial 3-and-out, Maryville went 54 yards in eight plays, with Bryson Rollins finding Nick Dagel in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard TD.
Maryville again forced a 3-and-out and the Scots responded with a field goal drive. Trey Hampton converted from 24 yards, and it was 10-0.
Shenandoah forced a Maryville turnover and got three points back on the first play of the second quarter, but Maryville answered with a lengthy scoring drive. The Scots went 80 yards in 17 plays, capped by Jaden Jones' 12-yard TD catch from Rollins for a 17-3 lead.
Hampton converted from 22 yards later in the second and Maryville was in front 20-3 at intermission.
Shenandoah kicked a field goal in the third, but the quarter ended with Maryville driving. The Scots finished it off with Mac McCovery IV covering the final 10 yards on three consecutive rushing plays. His 4-yard run made it 27-6 MC with 11:40 remaining.
The Hornets made a run, but Maryville held its nerve and the Scots made the long drive home all smiles.
Scots Balanced on Offense
Maryville threw for 235 yards and rushed for another 174. Rollins finished 26-of-31 passing with two touchdowns against two interceptions. He also was the team's leading rusher with 64 yards on 14 attempts. Braden Dunson added 52 rushing yards and Tad Logan Jr. 50 to help the Scots build a 174-21 advantage on the ground.
Corey Russell made some big catches and finished with seven for 58 yards. Jones had four for 43 and Dagel four for 24.
"We ran for 175 yards, and we ran it when they knew we were going to run," Fox said of his ground game.
Defensively, Kial Cottingham was the tackle leader with five to go with a pair of pass breakups. Maryville held an 82-47 advantage in plays, a 409-146 margin in yards and possessed the football for 43:24 to Shenandoah's 16:36, so defensive opportunities were limited.
Ryan Moog had a big sack in the first half and Justin King also broke up two passes.
Brevard Offers USA South Test
"Winning is hard," Fox said. "I'm happy we were able to find ways to win. We had some guys get the opportunity to play and get better every day. I hope we are primed to play even better next week as we get into conference play. That is what it's going to take.
"We open against a team we have not beaten since I've been here, so we will get back to practice Monday and be ready to go."
The Scots open USA South play next Saturday at Brevard (0-3), which lost a narrow 17-14 home decision Saturday to undefeated Averett.