Sep 02, 2017
The Maryville College Fighting Scots suffered a heartbreaking loss to open the 2017 season on Honaker Field, as Berry College defeated MC 30-24.
A chance to tie the game and potentially take the lead late ended in a heartbreak for the Scots, as a fumble on the Berry College 4-yard line would give the Vikings possession with only 40 second remaining in the contest. Berry would take the knee to end the game with the victory.
Maryville and Berry were evenly matched, with the Scots picking up 299 yards of offense to the Vikings 311. A total of three turnovers hindered MC's effort on the day.
MC (0-1) was led offensively by Adam Diggs, who went 15-of-25 for 126 yards. Diggs added 4 yard rushing and his first collegiate touchdown on Saturday.
Freshman quarterback Caine Adamson also had a big day, going an impressive 10-for-12 for 100 yards and his first collegiate touchdown as well. Adamson also had three carries for 26 yards, while ranking second on the squad in rushing behind Elijah Chenier's 14-carry, 39-yard afternoon.
Mac Seagle had four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, while Michael Smith added 64 yards on six snags. Chenier had 47 yards receiving on six catches, while Donovan Lewis had 20 yards receiving.
Defensively, it was Christopher McKenzie with eight tackles, while Jordan Early had seven tackles, a half tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Freshman Jacorey Jackson had seven tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass break-up to his record.
For Berry College (1-0), it was quarterback Slade Dale. Dale went 14-for-21 for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while adding 22 rushing yards.
Back Jacob Collins had 112 yards on 22 carries, including a long of 49. He also added a touchdown, as kicker Trey Gregory went 3-for-3 on field goals, as well as extra points.
Berry opened the scoring first, as Jacob Collins punched in a 2-yard run to complete a 10-play, 67-yard drive. With 11:04 left after the opening drive, the Vikings held a 7-0 advantage.
Maryville would add its first points behind a 53-yard punt return to set the Scots up at 1st-and-Goal at the 6 yard line. MC would got three-and-out, however, as Ian Hubbs would tack on a 20-yard field goal for a 7-3 score with 4:18 remaining in the opening half.
Berry would match Maryville, however, putting together a long, 13-play, 62-yard drive. However, Jackson and Pierre Chadwick would both swat passes, forcing a 26-yard field goal from Trey Gregory with 13:25 on the clock. The Vikings held a 10-3 advantage.
Maryville would strike back to tie the game with 10:08 left in the first half. The Scots put together a seven-play, 82-yard drive that saw the freshman quarterback, Adamson, carry the load. Adamson carried the ball twice for 14 yards, while going 5-for-5 through the air for 70 yards. Adamson connected with Mac Seagle for a 31-yard touchdown, knotting the game at 10-all.
Maryville would take their first lead of the game with 7:30 left in the half. Tate Adcock was sacked by Ron McGriff, as he forced a fumble. Jake Barrett would recover the ball, setting the Scots up at the Berry 24 yard line. Five plays later, Adam Diggs would rush for the 6-yard touchdown. The Scots held a 17-10 advantage.
MC would add their third touchdown in a row in only 3:56. Markel Kea would block Will Kentworthy's punt, as Jordan Ligon would recover it at the 8-yard line. Ligon returned it 6 yards to the Berry College 2 yard line, before Chenier would punch it in from 1 yard out. With 6:14 left in the half, Maryville College held a 24-10 lead.
The Vikings would put together a six-play, 60-yard drive that ended with Gregory's second field goal of the game. The 20-yard attempt made the score 24-13 with 3:51 left.
That's where the score would remain going to the locker room.
Berry would strike quick to open the second half, however, taking advantage of an MC turnover. Justin Akin intercepted Diggs, putting the Vikings at the Maryville 12-yard line. Slade Dale would connect with Mason Kinsey for a 3-yard touchdown, closing the game to 24-20 with 11:47 remaining in the third.
On their next drive, Berry would need only three plays. Slade Dale connected with Trey Ciresi for a 36-yard touchdown with 8:04 left in the quarter. The Vikings would take the lead and keep it, 27-24.
Gregory would add his third field goal of the game – a 32 yarder – with 12:20 left in the fourth for a 30-24 win.
Maryville will look next to face Hanover College on Saturday, Sept. 9. The game – slated for MC's Honaker Field – will begin at 1 p.m.