The New Jordan Rules

Junior back indicative of deep Rebel running game

Jordan Ervin left the hospital under his own power late Saturday night.

The Maryville High School junior took a nasty spill on a late third quarter run against Fulton and was taken from Shields Stadium by ambulance. Rebel coach George Quarles informed the media by text just after midnight Ervin was OK.

That’s good news, but it’s not why the Maryville running back is the Barley’s/Blount Press Row Player of the Week.

Ervin’s play said a lot as the Rebels pulled away from the Falcons in the second half en route to a 49-18 win. Prior to leaving, the jet-quick back carried eight times for 88 yards and the game’s opening touchdown. A crazy-deep running game is fast becoming a big part of the story for Maryville in 2015.

Eight Rebel ball carriers totaled 269 yards on 41 carries against Fulton, accounting for four of Maryville’s seven touchdowns. Ervin lit the fuse with a 35-yard sprint up the home sideline with the game less than two minutes old. Sophomore quarterback Dylan Hopkins later ran for scores of 41 and 5 yards, with junior Michael Hall powering in from 11 yards.

Worrisome, surely, for Maryville opponents as the season progresses is three additional Rebels – receiver Kelby Brock and backs Cameron Russell and Joel Hopkins – caught touchdown passes from junior quarterback Austin Ensley.