SHANE SHOEMAKER
Writer
Despite what Marion County coach Tim Starkey called a good week of practice leading up to their Region 3-2A matchup against Bledsoe County, the Warriors battled through adversity to pull out a 15-3 victory.
The Warriors (6-1) struck quickly, scoring on their first two drives in the opening quarter. After forcing Bledsoe (5-2) into a three-and-out, Zaiden Humphrey scrambled for a 13-yard touchdown run, though the point after was blocked.
Fourth-down plays loomed large on the next two series for each team. Bledsoe failed to convert a fourth-and-7 at the Marion 34-yard line, and the Warriors capitalized. Facing a fourth-and-3 on the ensuing drive, Marion converted, then on the next play Ashton Richards broke free for a 35-yard touchdown run. The two-point try failed, leaving the score 12-0.
The second quarter is when things nearly turned disastrous for Marion. Multiple penalties pinned the Warriors deep, and Bledsoe blocked a punt, giving them the ball inside the 10. Marion’s defense stiffened, though, forcing three stops and holding Bledsoe to a field goal.
Elijah Tucker’s 31-yard kickoff return soon had Marion threatening again, but Mason Mays fumbled near the goal line, with Bledsoe recovering in the end zone. The Warriors’ defense again responded with a stop. Later in the half, Marion drove deep into Bledsoe territory, but another fumble — this one by T.J. Starkey — ended the threat.
“We just had some things not go our way and we kind of had to overcome some stuff,” Coach Starkey said. “Maybe this team just needed this to happen tonight to prepare us for something like this in the playoffs.”
The Warriors endured more miscues in the third quarter, fumbling twice and losing one. That turnover led to another Bledsoe field goal attempt, but Zach Bass came off the edge to block it, preserving the nine-point lead. Bass, who also recorded a second-quarter sack, credited a former teammate for teaching him the move.
“I feel like we just carried everything over from last year to this year,” Bass said about the defense. “We’ve learned from the people before us and I feel like that’s really helping us this year.
“I just want to give a shout out to Myles Mayes. On that sack, he taught me the move.”
Marion’s defense dominated, holding Bledsoe to 71 total yards while racking up 275. On offense, Mays led the way with 105 rushing yards. Humphrey added 46 and a score, and Richards contributed 73 and another touchdown. Eli Barnette capped the scoring with a 23-yard field goal in the fourth.
“They [Bledsoe] are a good football team … I think tonight we made them look a little better than they really are,” Starkey said. “But again, we won the game and we’ll clean up our mistakes and get better.”
Marion will host undefeated Grundy County (7-0) this Friday. A win would secure the Warriors another region championship and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Photos by Gene Fuller