The Pistol Creek Walk-Off

Alcoa’s Manu goes back-to-back game MVP

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Thomas Manu transitioned into legend Friday night.

The Alcoa quarterback was injured in a scary collision with a stadium wall midway through the fourth quarter at Maryville. The Tornado senior stayed down for several minutes before being escorted from the field by the Alcoa medical staff.

The remainder of regulation and two overtimes later, Manu returned to loft a 2-point conversion pass to receiver Haynes Hawkins, lifting the Tornadoes to a 43-42, double overtime win in one of the greatest games in the history of the 98-year-old series.

For his contributions throughout, Manu was named the Great American Rivalry Series Most Valuable Player, the second year in succession the 2025 finalist for the state’s Mr. Football award has been so honored.

The textbook definition of a thriller, this one had no shortage of heroes.

Unofficially, Manu completed 10 of his 11 passes for 150 yards, averaging 10-plus yards per completion, adding eight carries for 81 yards on the ground. That, however, is only the start of a big night for players on both sides.

Alcoa running back Micah Jones bashed into the Rebel defense for 15 carries for 75 yards and four touchdowns. The final score from Jones came at the end of the first overtime pull the Tornadoes even.

Jones’ scoring runs came on bursts of 11, 4, 10 and 1 yards.

Demauri Dubose accounted for one of the biggest scores on the night for the Tornadoes, his 1-yard run capping the 72-yard march that saw Manu leave the game injured. The tally gave Alcoa a hard-fought 28-14 advantage with seven minutes left. Key on the play was Alcoa tight end Jackson Walters, who cleared a pair of Rebels from Dubose’s path at the edge.

Then, there was Lucah Daugherty.

The loss of Manu was huge, as Maryville and quarterback Will Jones would soon prove. Daugherty is why Alcoa held on — and won.

The Tornado linebacker is also the backup quarterback. When Manu was forced to the sideline, Daugherty moved under center to finish the drive. Then, he really got down.

The Rebels tallied first in overtime. Daugherty quickly got the Tornadoes in position to equalize, firing a strike to Hawkins at the 5, Hawkins wheeling and lunging to the 1 to set up Jones to tie. Offensive lineman Marlee Watts gets a gold star for the block that got Jones across.

For the Alcoa touchdown in the second extra session, Daugherty took it in himself from 4 yards, battling his way through over the left side, setting the stage for the Manu-Hawkins walk-off.

It’s worth noting Daugherty continued at linebacker for the duration.

Before we move to the Rebels, a quick mention here of the Jamir Dean leaping, one-handed grab along the Alcoa sideline to set up the first Jones score. Off. The. Charts.

The Georgia commitment,. who doubles at safety, finished his evening with four catches for 81 yards, including the 41-yard highlight masterpiece.

Alcoa needed it — and everything else. Maryville put on a show.

Had the Rebels prevailed, Will Jones is your MVP. The Jacksonville State commitment completed 17 of his 28 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns. The rolling to his right, 41-yard aerial to Will Elder to pull Maryville within a score with two minutes remaining in regulation was a thing of beauty.

Jones also had touchdown throws to Rhys Gardner (4 yards) and Ethan Farhat (7), the latter coming as Maryville took the lead in the first overtime.

Maryville wideout Colton Foust gets our vote for play of the night for the Rebels. Collecting a quick Jones toss at the Alcoa 20, the Maryville senior slipped a pair of tackles to race to the end zone to finish off a 25-yard touchdown, pulling the Rebels even at 28-all after the extra point.

Jones would add 15 carries for 54 yards and two additional scores to the Rebel rushing totals.