Week ending Dec. 7

Blackmon caps game for the ages with MVP finish

Maryville sophomore T.D. Blackmon accepts the BlueCross Bowl Defensive Most Valuable Player award after last week’s thriller. Photo by Brandon Shinn

Who else?

Maryville sophomore T.D. Blackmon was an easy selection as the Barley’s/Blount Press Row Player of the Week. The Rebel linebacker capped one of the great state championship games ever played in dramatic fashion at Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium.

Maryville won a record 15th championship in the playoff era with a 35-34 overtime win over Ravenwood. Rebel coach George Quarles claimed a record 11th title with the win. Maryville rallied from a 28-7 first quarter deficit to pull it off. When Austin Ensley’s 2-point conversion pass found Bryce Miller in the end zone with 49 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 28-all, Blackmon closed the show in unforgettable fashion.

The BlueCross Bowl Defensive Most Valuable Player first blocked a Ravenwood 32-yard field goal attempt with four seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.

After Rebel quarterback Tyler Vaught ran 3 yards for the go-ahead score on the first overtime possession, place-kicker Luke Orren added what proved the championship point with the following kick. The Raptors went for two after scoring. Blackmon, who led the Rebels in tackles with six, intercepted Ravenwood quarterback Cole Brown in the end zone to end it.

Did we mention he’s a sophomore!