SHANE SHOEMAKER
Writer
Marion County didn’t let history repeat itself Friday night. A year after falling to Sequatchie County on a last-second field goal for its first loss, Class 2A’s top-ranked Warriors shut out the Indians 16-0.
Sequatchie (2-2), ranked No. 7 in Class 3A, opened on a five-play drive before punting. Marion (4-0) answered with a 14-play drive that chewed up much of the first quarter but came away empty — a theme that lingered for the offense much of the night.
The Warriors finished with 247 total yards but managed just one touchdown on three trips inside the red zone. Instead, it was their defense that dictated the outcome. Fast and physical up front and opportunistic in the secondary, Marion forced four turnovers, limited the Indians to 134 total yards and allowed them past midfield only three times.
“Tonight, everybody got to see how good our defense can really be,” Warriors’ coach Tim Starkey said.
Sophomore defensive back Quincy Mills stole the spotlight. The Tyner Academy transfer had two interceptions, giving him five on the season.
“That dude is special,” Starkey said. “I mean, you talk about a sophomore that don’t just get the ball when it’s in the air but comes up and makes really good plays.”
After Marion’s opening drive stalled, Mills returned his first pick 33 yards on the Indians’ ensuing drive. The PAT was no good, but the Warriors still led 6-0. His second interception came with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“We’re a very physical team. We really wanted to win this game,” Mills said. “We came out and did what we were supposed to do. We came out firing hard.”
Friday also marked the long-awaited return of quarterback Zaiden “Man-Man” Humphrey, who had been sidelined since leaving on the second play of the season opener. Humphrey wasted no time making an impact. On defense, he scooped up a fumble at the Sequatchie 44-yard line to give Marion a short field. A few plays later, he capped off the drive on a 17-yard run.
Humphrey finished 8-of-18 passing for 88 yards while rushing for 62 yards and a touchdown. Linebacker Ashton Martin wreaked havoc with two sacks, while Brett Webb preserved the shutout by picking off Sequatchie’s final pass in the end zone. Eli Barnette split the uprights with a 31-yard field goal.
Marion County returns to Bill Baxter Stadium this Friday to host Chattanooga Prep (1-2). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Photos by Gene Fuller & Marilyn Qualls