Tigers third win of season
The Macon County High School Tigers got the third win of the season with a win over Cumberland County.
The game was also the first regional match-up this year.
Macon was first on the board as Jon Mark Gammons hit Ethan Jenkins for a 56 yard score. Ryan Underwood made the point after and Macon led 7-0 with 5:01 left in the opening period.
Following a Jet three-and-out on the next possession Gammons hit Landon Whittemore on a 14 yard scoring pass. Underwood made the PAT and Macon led 14-0.
With just one second left in the first quarter Gammons threw open Cameron Mercer for an eight yard score. Underwood’s PAT made it 21-0 at the end of the first period.
On the next possession the Tigers had the Jets pinned deep when Austin Robinson had a strip-sack which teammate Landon Whittemore recovered for the defensive touchdown. Underwood made his kick and Macon led 28-0.
Following a 79 yard Jet score Tiger Ethan Jenkins popped a 40 yard run to the end-zone. The PAT was no good and Macon led 34-6 with 2:16 left in the half. The Jets then returned the kick-off for a score and failed on their conversion.
With great field position from a poor Jet kick-off, Gammons led the Tigers down the field and hit Mercer for his second touchdown reception of 25 yards with just 25 seconds left in the half.. Underwood missed the PAT and the score was 41-12 at the break.
Getting the ball to open the second half Macon went into power football. Isaac Belton pounded the Jets and scored on a 10 yard run. Underwood made the PAT and the score was 48-12 with 10:24 left in the third quarter. With the running clock the rest of the game expired very quickly. The Tiges came off the plateau with a 48-12 victory.
Tiger quarterback Jon Mark Gammons was 11 of 14 for 220 yards and four TDs and rushed 4 times for 10 yards. Braydee Brooks came in and was 0 for 2 but had eight yards on three rushes.
Belton led the Tigers with 90 yards on eight carries and a TD while Jenkins had 58 yards on five rushes and a score. Hunter Heron had 65 yards on six carries, Landin Colter had eight yards on three carries, Cameron Houston had six yards on two carries, and Dylan Chupp and Nate Green each had one carry.
It was a big night for the passing game. Mercer had two receptions for 33 yards and two scores. Belton had two catches for 69 yards, Landon Whittemore had three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown, Jenkins had one catch for 56 yards and a score, and Houston had two catches for four yards.
Logan Whittemore led the Tigers with nine tackles, four for negative yards. He was followed by Austin Robinson with seven, Dawson Long with six, and Rodney Tuck with four.
With the win in this five team region, Macon will make the play-offs as at least a #4 seed. Next up the Tigers will face the Trousdale County Yellow Jackets nest Friday night at Pat Parker Memorial Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 pm.
(Photos by Julie Collins)
