Averett football comes from behind to beat Maryville

MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Averett took its first lead with 1:18 to play and the Cougars held on to complete a 24-21 comeback victory over Maryville College on a wet Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 21-16, Averett quickly drove down the field deep into Maryville territory. Junior quarterback Cody Laduto completed a pass senior fullback Dontavious Watson, who found the right side of the end zone with 1:18 to play. The Cougars got the two-point conversion to go ahead by three.

Maryville got to midfield with less than a minute to play, but Tim Conner was intercepted by junior safety Jeremy Clifton to end the threat. Averett ran out the clock to steal a win on the Scots’ homecoming.

Maryville (3-3, 2-1 USA South) opened the game on a tear, scoring two touchdowns in the first five minutes of the contest. Conner connected with Ryan Roach for a pair of scores to put the Scots ahead 14-0.

Averett responded later in the first half with a 7-yard touchdown by freshman running back Antwan Hughes, but the extra point was blocked by Maryville.

The Scots responded with another touchdown less than three minutes later. Rommel Hightower rushed for a 17-yard score to increase Maryville’s lead t0 21-6 with 3:09 left in the first quarter.

Averett scored the lone points of the second quarter on a 36-yard field goal by junior Marcus Klusacek. Although the Cougars could only cut the Maryville lead to 21-9 by halftime, the defense held the Scots without another point. That trend continued into the second half.

With the defense shutting down Maryville’s offense, the Cougars mounted their comeback. Junior quarterback Philip Kwiatkowski hit junior wide receiver Jeremy Dixon, who cut across the middle for a 26-yard touchdown with 9:12 left in the third quarter.

Averett took the 21-16 deficit into the fourth quarter, but the Cougars orchestrated their game-winner drive with just over three minutes to play.

Ladutko led the Cougars on an 11-play, 66-yard drive that culminated in the touchdown throw to Watson with 1:18 to play. Ladutko then found Oristian for the two-point conversion to put Averett ahead 24-21.

Averett’s defense earned the assist in the come-from-behind victory. After giving up three touchdowns in the first quarter, the Cougars limited Maryville to just 99 yards in the final three quarters combined. The Cougars also forced three interceptions and two fumbles throughout the game.

Seniors Zack Morton and Mario Huffman led the Cougars with 10 total tackles each. Clifton, senior Zane Cooper and freshman Anthony Bowie accounted for the interceptions.

The Cougars’ offense, which was limited to minus-3 yards rushing against Christopher Newport the week earlier, found success on the ground. Averett ran 44 times for 144 yards. Hughes had 17 of those carries for 82 yards and a score.

Overall, the Cougars racked up 350 yards on offense. Senior Anthony Squillini had six receptions for 92 yards and Dixon had two catches for 52 yards.

Averett returns to action on Oct. 24 at home against Methodist University at 1 p.m.