The Master Plan

Quarles gets No. 250; Rebels advance to Oakland showdown

Maryville coach George Quarles speaks to players, fans and cheerleaders following the Rebels’ 48-28 Class 6A quarterfinal win over Blackman on Friday. The win lifted Quarles’ won/loss record to 250-15 at Maryville. Congratulations, coach! Photos by Cindy Nowlin

By Kelly Franklin
Blount Press Row

Fires raged across East Tennessee, but the Blaze was well in hand at Shields Stadium in a Class 6A quarterfinal Friday night.

Dylan Hopkins cuts behind a block from Blake Watson for a Rebel touchdown.

The Blackman Blaze entered with plans to run Master Teague down the throat of the Maryville defense, and, with 277 yards on 23 carries and four long touchdown runs, the hard-running senior did his part — but not until the Rebel offense had shown its own mastery, scoring on every first-half possession except for a final kneel-down to enter the break with a commanding 35-7 lead.

The onslaught continued with Jordan Ervin (nine carries 73 yards) scoring his third touchdown on the first Rebel drive after the bands marched, activating the running clock en route to a 48-28 Maryville rout.

The win lifted Rebel coach George Quarles’ record to 250-15 at Maryville.