Return of the King

Blackmon closes on retaking Rebel tackle lead

Rebel senior T.D. Blackmon returns an interception during pregame warmups. Photos by Wallace Bowden

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

When he missed a few games at midseason with minor knee surgery, it looked as if the three-year run for Maryville senior and reigning Mr. Football T.D. Blackmon atop the Rebel tackle charts was coming to an end.

Blackmon (27) and junior Riley Gennoe are going down to the wire for the team lead in tackles.

As top-ranked Maryville (11-0) readies to host Dobyns-Bennett in a Class 6A second round game tonight at 7, Blackmon has pulled within eight of junior Riley Gennoe.

Among several close statistical races for the Rebels, Gennoe enters with a team-best 81 stops with two tackles for loss. Blackmon, named one of four semifinalists for the Mr. Football award again this season, has 73 tackles, with nine for loss and three sacks, adding an interception returned for 30 yards.