Marshall County Photo by Chris Siers Silas Teat shrugs off the Station Camp defense and fires a throw downfield for a completion to junior wide out Aja Jones.
By Chris Siers
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
LEWISBURG — Through the first few weeks of the season, the Marshall County Tigers (2-1, 1-0) were no stranger to adversity.
In Week 3, the Tigers again found themselves with their backs against the wall as Station Camp (0-3, 0-1) scored 11 points out of the gate off turnovers, but the Marshall County response to that adversity led to 20 unanswered points and the first region win of the season.
“So proud of them. We faced a lot of adversity in the last couple of weeks. We have a bunch of young guys at the linebacker level, but man, they grew up some tonight—Elijah Cable, Jaden Keys, J.J. Terrell. Station Camp has a great run game, but man did we bow our backs and compete like crazy,” Tiger coach Thomas Osteen said.
Two first-half turnovers aided Station Camp in jumping out to a two-score lead.
A fumbled punt in the first quarter set up the Bison on the Marshall County 38-yard line.
While able to effectively run the ball thus far, it was the Marshall County defense that bowed up and forced a Station Camp field goal from 38-yards, which kicker B.J. Alexander nailed to put the visitors up 3-0.
The Tigers fumbled away their next possession, once again giving the Bison possession in plus-territory.
The drive, which included a key fourth-down conversion, set up a 3-yard touchdown score by Robert Bogus and the Bison opted to fake an extra point and ran in the 2-point conversion to take an 11-0 lead with 9:21 left in the second.
But the Tigers were able to settle into a rhythm on the following drive and it was Aja Jones who caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from senior Silas Teat on a quick slant, but the kick after failed, leaving it at an 11-6 Station Camp lead.
The Marshall County defense set up a second, second-quarter touchdown following a turnover on downs at the 48-yard line with 3:13 left in the half.
Six plays later, Teat and Jones connected again, this time on a 22-yard strike and it was a successful 2-point conversion by Markese Davis to put the Tigers up 14-11 just before the half.
Marshall County Post Photo by Chris Siers Jamahl Gentry (13) dives in an attempt to block a 42-yard field goal try by Station Camp.
The Tigers got one final score in the game—a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Teat— highlighted by a 29-yard pass reception by Jones.
Through the first few weeks of the season, Osteen and his coaching staff have utilized a running back-by-committee, searching for who could establish himself as the leader out of the backfield.
Kamariq Perryman made a strong argument for his case on Friday, rushing 23 times for 125 yards to lead the Tiger ground game.
“We’ve been scratching around to find out who was going to be the lead tailback for us and I think we may have found that tonight. I’m so proud of Kamariq. We still have to get other people the ball, but I think we found who our lead tailback is going to be,” Osteen said.
Marshall Cou
Marshall County Post Photo by Chris Siers Kamariq Perryman picks up a block from Anthony Smith on a big pickup for the Tigers.
nty’s secondary terrorized Dickens all night with three interceptions, including two by Jones, and a third by Jamahl Gentry.
In a turnover-riddled fourth quarter, Jones picked off Bison quarterback Luke Dickens on the Tiger 37-yard line.
On the next play, Marshall County fumbled the ball back to Station Camp, setting the Bison up on the 37-yard line with a fresh set of downs.
Opting to go to the air again, it was Jones who delivered the game’s third turnover in three plays with his second-straight pick.
“We’re hoping this year the secondary will be one of the strengths of the ball. We’ve got some crazy good athletes back there. Sometimes defensive backs aren’t necessarily known for catching the ball well, but we’ve got some guys who can hawk it back there,” Osteen said.
In total, Teat completed 9-of-17 passes for 101 yards and a couple of scores, with Jones making four grabs for 62 yards.
In a loaded eight-team region, Friday’s win was a big one not just in terms of righting the ship for the Tigers, but picking up a needed win in order to help Marshall County reach its goal of hosting a playoff game this season.
“It’s huge, especially after the adversity we faced last week. We’re in an eight-team region, so you have to win four to just get in the region,” Osteen said.
“I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t. We responded like the team I know we can be. We still have a long way to go, but this can be a really good football team. I’m hoping this will get us in a rhythm and us start clicking on all three levels.”
The Tigers will hit the road on Friday night for another Region 5 4-A matchup at Greenbrier, who defeated Whites Creek, 21-0 on Friday night.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Station Camp 3 8 0 0 — 11
Marshall Co. 0 14 6 0 — 20
First Quarter
SC — Maxx Ellott 38-yard Field Goal, 1:42.
Second Quarter
SC — Robert Bogus 3 run, (BJ Alexander 2pt. run), 9:21
MC — Aja Jones 5 pass from Silas Teat, (kick failed), 6:09.
MC — Jones 22 pass from Teat, (Markese Davis 2pt. run), :53.
Third Quarter
MC — Silas Teat 1 run, (kick failed), 2:20.
