TD FACTORY-Sophomore quarterback Nate Adams (#12) and senior tailback Joseph Marcom (#28) combined for seven of Clay County’s eight touchdowns in their win over Scott High. Marcom also rushed for nearly 200 yards in the contest. (photo courtesy Kyndra Reagan/cchsmedia.zenfolio.com)

CELINA-With their sights set on a deep postseason run, the Clay County Bulldogs (6-1) kept rolling with another dominating non-conference win over Class 4A Scott High here last Friday night.

The Dawgs backed up a nine-touchdown effort of last week with eight more scores in a high-octane 53-7 beatdown of the Highlanders.

Playing for injured senior Keaton Arms, sophomore quarterback Nate Adams accounted for four of Clay County’s touchdowns, while senior tailback Joseph Marcom added three while racking up 192 yards rushing.

Like Marcom, Adams rushed for three scores and he also found senior wideout Jimmy Burchett for another.

But it wasn’t just about offense for Clay County, as the Dawg defense stifled Scott throughout and also dented the scoreboard.

Senior defensive linemen Ricardo McElroy, John Hamilton, and Hunter Kyle—who had three sacks, shredded the Highlander front, senior linebacker Levi Garrett blew up Scott ballcarriers, and senior utility man Alec Kerr posted a pick-six interception.

Clay County led 20-0 at the end of the first quarter following Adams’ initial score, a two-point run and a 30-yard touchdown tote from Marcom, and Kerr’s highlight.

The Dawgs then doubled their advantage to 40-0 at halftime with a combination of rushing touchdowns from Marcom (14 yds.) and Adams (5 yds.), Burchett’s scoring catch (43 yds.), and a pair of Garrett extra points.

As the TSSAA mercy-rule running clock wound to shorten the second half, Marcom provided the highlight of the night with an 88-yard score on the final play of the third quarter.

Marcom took a handoff to the right, bounced off a tackle, reversed field, and retreated near his own goal line, before he stiff-armed a defender to get the corner, turned on the jets down the left sideline, and finally dove into the Highlander end zone for his 16th rushing touchdown of the season.

SCORING THREAT-Senior utility man Alec Kerr finds the end zone in multiple ways, including with a pick-six interception in the win over Scott High. (photo courtesy Kyndra Reagan/cchsmedia.zenfolio.com)

Garrett followed Marcom’s near-impossible feat with an extra point and Clay County reserves entered the game to start the fourth quarter with the score at 47-0.

Scott then connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass to get on the board, before Adams crossed the stripe one last time to account for the final margin.

The Dawgs are set to travel to Coalmont to face Class 3A Grundy County Friday night. Horizon Sports Network coverage of the game will begin at 6 p.m. online at www.dalehollowhorizon.com or on the Dale Hollow Horizon Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dalehollowhorizon.

Stats
Clay County ran a total of 31 offensive plays covering 415 yards in the win over Scott High. The Dawgs produced 284 yards rushing (6 TDs) and 131 yards passing (TD).

Adams (7/13 for 131 yds./TD) had all of the yards through the air on completions to Burchett (1/43 yds./TD), Hamilton (2/35 yds.), Kerr (2/27 yds.), Marcom (1/21 yds.), and junior Weston Birdwell (1/5 yds.).

Marcom was the leading rusher (9/192 yds./3 TDs), while Adams (5/51 yds./3 TDs) and Kerr (4/41 yds.) also had carries.

Garrett led the way defensively with five tackles (TFL); Kerr (INT-TD) and Marcom each had four; and Kyle (3 Sacks), McElroy, Birdwell, and junior Ben Maxfield recorded three each. Burchett and junior Parker Smith made two tackles, while Hamilton and junior Austin Anderson also had one apiece

88 YARDS LATER-Senior tailback Joseph Marcom (#28) turned this play into an 88-yard touchdown run when he shed the Scott tackler, reversed field, and used the blocks of Stone Lynn (#61), Wyatt Browning (#62), Haydyn McGee (#56), and others en route to the end zone for his 16th rushing touchdown of the season. (photo courtesy Kyndra Reagan/cchsmedia.zenfolio.com)

BRING IT ON-The Clay County defense shut down Scott High and dominated inside thanks to (left to right) senior linemen Hunter Kyle, Ricardo McElroy, and John Hamilton, along with excellent linebacking play from juniors Austin Anderson and Ben Maxfield and senior Levi Garrett. (photo courtesy Kyndra Reagan/cchsmedia.zenfolio.com)