Fast and Furious

Cobb 91-yard kickoff return ignites Rebel rout

Maryville junior Isaiah Cobb steps through a tackle during the Fulton game earlier this season. Photo by Jolanda Jansma

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Coffee County didn’t have to wait long to see if Maryville was ready to play.

Isaiah Cobb

Rebel junior Isaiah Cobb, the Barley’s/Blount Press Row Player of the Week, kicked in the afterburners to return the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown, and Maryville never slowed in trouncing the Raiders, 56-14, in a Class 6A playoff opener on Friday at Shields Stadium.

Next for the top-ranked Rebels (11-0) is a visit from Dobyns-Bennett (6-5) on Friday.

Maryville defeated the Indians, 56-34, in a Region 1-6A game in late September.

Cobb didn’t stop with the kickoff return. The Rebel running back/linebacker touched the Raiders for another 91 yards on six carries out of the backfield.

You’re in some serious trouble when one of the other team’s backs is averaging 15.2 yards per carry on you.

Cobb had scoring runs of 39 and 15 yards from his running back spot. Paired with an explosive, 35-point Rebel first quarter, all doubt was long gone by halftime.

Micheal Hall (36 yards), Tee Hodge (15), Trace Parris (5) and Bryson Teffeteller (22) also had rushing touchdowns for Maryville.

Mr. Football semifinalist quarterback Dylan Hopkins passed 27 yards to freshman A.J. Davis for the eighth Rebel score.

Mr. Football semifinalist linebacker T.D. Blackmon and the Maryville defense limited Coffee County to a single score until a late third quarter touchdown produced the final margin.