Hawks Football Taken Down By USA South Rival Maryville

MARYVILLE, Tenn.- In a pivotal matchup with major implications in regards to the conference standings, Hawks football(3-3 overall, 3-1 USA South) fell to the Scots of Maryville College(4-1 overall, 3-0 USA South) 44-16.

Receiving the ball to open the game, Huntingdon's offense moved their way down the field, completing their 10 play, 34 yard drive with a 45 yard long field goal from Will Edwards to go ahead 3-0. The Scots responded with a two-yard touchdown run on the tailend of a 11 play, 69 yard drive to bring the score to 7-3 with 4 minutes remaining in the opening quarter.  Forced to go three-and-out on their next possession, Maryville held the ball at their own 40 yardline entering the second quarter.

Huntingdon's defense managed to force a stop, largely in part due to a Joe Brunson sack, to flip possession with 14:49 to go until halftime. Forced to punt again, a Maryville field goal on the ensuing possession pushed the Scot's lead to 10-3. With the Hawks offense taking possession at the 11 minute mark, Sam Bloodworth sparked Huntingdon's offense with a 24 yard rush and 35 yard reception to put Dorian Smith into position to find the endzone on a 1 yard rush. With Edwards converting on the point-after, the score was even at 10 entering the final 7 minutes of the half.

To close the half, Maryville's offense found a new life, scoring two touchdowns in as many possessions while holding Huntingdon scoreless to hold a 24-10 advantage going into halftime.

With the Scots receiving the second half kickoff, Maryville's first drive was cut short by a Gus Johnson interception in the red zone to give the Hawks an opportunity to cut into the deficit with 11:39 remaining in the quarter. Following an incomplete pass, the Scots intercepted a Dorian Smith pass at their own 44 yardline, taking it all the way back to shoot their lead to 31-10. Dorian Smith found Brody Covington from 3 yards out to reduce the lead to 37-16, but the Scots secured the game with a touchdown on the ensuing possession to take a 44-16 win.

The Hawks look to bounce back on October 26th vs Brevard for homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT.