Week ending Oct. 12

Ensley perfect again in repeat as player of week

Maryville quarterback Austin Ensley (17) makes the give to Dylan Shinsky in the win over Sevier County. Photo by Brandon Shinn

Forty-two points the first seven minutes of the game is just awesome.

If you’re on the other team, that’s awesome.

Austin Ensley was responsible for a lot of it. For his efforts, the Maryville sophomore quarterback becomes the first repeat winner of the Barley’s/Blount Press Row Player of the Week award this season.

The top-ranked Rebels buried Lenoir City beneath a 42-0 onslaught the first seven minutes last Friday at Shields Stadium. That was pretty much it, Maryville cruising to an eventual 45-6 win. Ensley, who alternated at quarterback with junior Zach Cardwell, both subbing for injured starter Tyler Vaught, was a crisp 4-for-4 during the Rebel breakout, throwing for 102 yards and three touchdowns.

Wide out Kelby Brock took an Ensley toss 70 yards for one score. Running back Jaylen Burgess had a 4-yard touchdown catch out of the backfield. Scottie Kenley snared the third Ensley scoring pass from 15 yards, giving Maryville a 21-0 lead with much of the first quarter still to play.

Defensive tackle Kyle Withrow returned a fumble 15 yards for a fourth Rebel touchdown, linebacker T.D. Blackmon doing the scoop and score from 20 yards for a fifth. Running back Joel Hopkins ran 33 yards for Maryville’s sixth first-quarter touchdown, place-kicker Luke Orren a perfect 6-for-6 on PATs to round out the 42-0 bulge.

Ensley was named player of the week after Maryville’s 38-3 win over Sevier County three weeks ago. In the Rebels’ first game without Vaught, Ensley was a perfect 7-for-7 in the first half for 193 yards with touchdown passes to Brock and tight end Bryce Miller.