BY BRIAN HAMILTON
KNOXVILLE – Anderson County came into its matchup with South-Doyle with a record of 1-3 and upset undefeated South-Doyle 31-28.
The Cherokees fumbled on a quarterback to running back exchange on the first drive, setting Anderson County up with great field position. However, two plays later, JaMichael Ham intercepted the Mavericks’ Walker Martinez for a pick six and a 7-0 lead with 8:26 left in the first quarter.
![JaMichael Ham](http://smokymtnsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/South-Doyle2-400x300.jpg)
JaMichael Ham (5) picks off an Anderson County pass for a pick six, giving the Cherokees a 7-0 first quarter lead. Photo by Brian Hamilton
Martinez would respond on Anderson County’s next possession, as he tossed a long touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 3:11 left in the first quarter.
Shawn Gary would go into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown with 8:31 left in the second quarter, putting the Cherokees in front 14-7.
A 21-yard field goal by Christian Nelson would pull the Mavericks to within 14-10 with 4:40 left until halftime. On the next South-Doyle possession, Nick Martin tossed a 64-yard touchdown pass, which gave the Cherokees a 21-10 lead with 1:58 left until intermission.
Anderson County would respond before the break, however, as Gavin Noe found the end zone for a 1-yard score, making the halftime score 21-17, in favor of South-Doyle.
The Mavericks received the second half kick and puts together a scoring drive, capped by Martinez’ 21-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Vowell for a 24-21 advantage — their first lead of the game.
Gary put South-Doyle back in front 28-24 with a 17-yard touchdown with less than a minute to go in the third quarter, but that would be the last time the Cherokees would find the end zone in the game.
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Anderson County’s Kaleb Livingston (48) takes down South-Doyle’s Dylan Swaggerty (11) for a short gain. Photo by Brian Hamilton
Anderson County’s Noe went into the end zone on 4th-and-1 with 6:23 left in the game for the final score, as the Mavericks went on to win 31-28, spoiling the Cherokees’ hopes of an unbeaten season.
South-Doyle standout running back Shawn Gary was held to just over 80 yards rushing in the game, although he did finish with two touchdowns.
The Mavericks improved their record to 2-3 and travel to Elizabethton (3-1) on Friday, while South-Doyle will face another tough road test at Class 6A Farragut (1-4). The Admirals have only won one game, but their losses are to Maryville, West, Beech and Cleveland.
The loss also drops the Cherokees to 1-1 in Class 4A Region 2, while Anderson County is now in first place at 2-0.