The Maryville College Fighting Scots football team secured a 2013 USA South league title as well as an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III with a 47-15 win over Greensboro College on Saturday afternoon on MC's Honaker Field. The victory, combined with a Methodist University 52-41 win over Huntingdon College, gave Maryville their second consecutive league crown.
The Scots lit up the scoreboard first following a Pride drive that stalled at midfield. Maryville took their first possession and marched 51 yards on nine plays that featured a strong rushing attack by Travis Felder and Evan Pittenger. Felder capped the drive with a four-yard scoring dash. Colton Smith connected on the conversion giving the Scots a quick 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff Maryville's Eric Benison forced Raymond Bridges to fumble on the return and Ruben Rodgers scooped up the miscue and dashed 21 yards for the touchdown. Smith's kick gave the Scots a 14-0 advantage in the first nine minutes of the game.
Back-to-back sacks by Josh Krebs, Dylan Wolfenbarger, and Jonathan Clark stalled another Pride drive at midfield.
A quick pass to Jared Miller and strong running by Evan Pittenger and Travis Felder put MC on the doorstep once again. Trenton Shuler found the end zone from four yards out finishing a seven play, 52 yard scoring drive. At the end of the first quarter the Scots paced the Pride 21-0.
The second quarter was a battle for field possession. With 5:23 remaining before the half, Maryville marched toward their fourth score of the game. A 17-yard scamper by Shuler combined with a 14-yard dash by Pittenger put MC in scoring position. A 13-yard pass completion from Pittenger to Blake Williams put the ball on the Pride's 14-yard line. Trenton Shuler took the next hand off and sprinted the distance for a TD. Smith's kick hit the upright and the score stood at 27-0 to close out the half.
The first five minutes of the second half saw a pair of drives stall by each team. The Scots took their second possession 69 yards on six plays for an additional score. The drive was aided by a four Pittenger pass completions including a 36-yard connection to Blake Williams. Deshijon Whitlock finished off the drive with a five-yard plunge for a touchdown. Smith's kick extended Maryville's lead to 34-0 with 7:28 remaining in the third quarter.
Just before the end of the third period, MC's Zack Brown intercepted a Ryan Throndset pass giving the Scots the ball on the 27 yard line. On the next play, Travis Felder got outside and dashed 27 yards for the score. Smith's kick gave Maryville a 41-0 lead going into the final period.
The Pride broke MC's defensive shutout with a 15-play, 65 yard scoring drive to begin the fourth quarter. Quentin Chavis hit Tavares Thomas in the end zone for a 13 yard TD pass. Mark Bush's kick made the score 41-7.
Maryville's final score was set up by a Kendyhl Rodgers interception. Rodgers returned the pick 70 yards to the Pride's 30 yard-line. Quarterback T.J. Rubin faked a hand-off and dashed 31 yards to the end zone for a score. Smith's kick was blocked and picked up by De'Vante Hender and he returned the recovery the distance for a Greensboro two-point conversion. Following the PAT, Maryville led 47-9.
The Pride completed their scoring by blocking a Logan Winder's punt. William Sims recovered the block by Julian Cinotti and ran 34 yards for the score. The conversion failed and MC claimed their seventh consecutive victory by the final score of 47-15.
The Pride (2-8, 1-6 USA South) was paced offensively by Warren Scott's 49 rushing yards on 14 carries. Ryan Throndset was 10-for-23 for 113 yards while Quentin Chavis completed six passes for 90 yards. Dexter Russell hauled in seven passes for 96 yards. Defensively, De'Vante Hender and Julian Cinotti each recorded nine total tackles. Hender had seven solo stops.
Maryville (8-1, 6-0 USA South) accumulated 252 rushing yards highlighted by a 94- yard effort by Travis Felder on 11 carries. Trenton Shuler added 69 yards on eight carries. Evan Pittenger was 14-for-17 in the air for 127 yards. Ed Johnson brought down six receptions for 40 yards while Blake Williams had three receptions for 52 yards. Tight end Jared Miller added three catches for 28 yards. MC's defense held Greensboro to 83 total rushing yards and put constant pressure on the three Pride signal callers. Dylan Wolfenberger tied the school's all-time career tackle mark with his nine total tackles on the afternoon. Josh Krebs secured ten stops that included six solo stops. He paced the defense with three sacks.
The Scots will conclude their regular season in Montgomery, Alabama next Saturday against Huntingdon College. The season finale is set for a 2:00 EST kick-off.