BY BRIAN HAMILTON
CLINTON – Carter fell behind early and fast on Thursday night, as the Mavericks raced to a 35-0 halftime lead and took sole possession of first place in the region with a 48-14 win.
Anderson County jumped on Carter early by intercepting a tipped pass by Chandler Wilson and returning it 55 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Eli Davis intercepted another Wilson pass later in the first quarter and the Mavericks turned the Hornets’ miscue into seven points and a 14-0 lead.
An Anderson County strip and fumble return for a score would extend the Mavericks’ lead to 28-0 with 5:58 remaining in the first half. This was Anderson County’s second defensive touchdown in the first half.
The Mavericks went in front 35-0 with 25 seconds remaining before halftime when Walker Martinez hit Bryson Vowell for a 9-yard fade pass on fourth down.
Anderson County would go into the locker room with a resounding five touchdown advantage.
Carter would open the second half with a score, as Wilson hit Spencer Russell for a 75-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was successful as Wilson hit Kaleb Harper for the conversion, cutting the Mavericks’ lead to 35-8 with 9:31 left in the third quarter.
After Anderson County took a 41-8 lead, Carter answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Wilson, making the score 41-14.
The Mavericks would add another score in the fourth quarter, giving Anderson County a 48-14 victory.
Carter (4-3, 2-1 Class 4A Region 2) will host Class 5A Morristown West (4-2) next Friday in a non-region matchup. Anderson County (3-4, 3-0 Class 4A Region 2) will travel to Gibbs (2-3, 0-2) next Friday for another regional showdown.