Mars Hill wins Mountain Division, advances to SAC Championship Game
The Mars Hill football team (7-2, 7-1 SAC) defeated Tusculum (8-2, 6-2 SAC) by a score of 34-27 Saturday afternoon to claim the South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division title.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill football team (7-2, 7-1 SAC) defeated Tusculum (8-2, 6-2 SAC) by a score of 34-27 Saturday afternoon to claim the South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division title.
The Lions struck twice in the first quarter with Jervon Newton's one-yard run opening the scoring with 6:15 remaining in the stanza. With less than a minute left in the first, Malik Laurent hauled in his first of two touchdown receptions, a 34-yard connection from Jimmy Urzua to put Mars Hill up 14-6 after 15 minutes of play.
Tusculum pulled within one as Mekhai Johnson scored his second touchdown on the ground with 6:59 gone in the second. With just over two minutes left in the half, Andre Labat hit a 35-yard field goal to build the Lions' lead to four entering the half.
At halftime, Mars Hill recognized the 2022 Hall of Fame Class of Natalie Haithcox, Jon Richt, and Wayne Higgins.
Mars Hill continued to roll in the third, scoring two touchdowns off of a Newton 14-yard run and a Laurent 84-yard reception. With 3:46 gone in the fourth, Labat extended the Lions' lead to 14, hitting a 25-yard field goal.
A 14-yard reception with under seven minutes to play from Mydreon Vines pulled Tusculum within seven. With under a minute to play and on fourth down, Lovelle Williams intercepted Tre Simmons' last ditch effort to secure the Lions' win and Mountain Division crown.
Urzua threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Laurent led all players with 185 receiving yards and two scores, averaging 46.3 yards per reception. Newton ran for a team-high 94 yards and two scores.
Landon Honeycutt led the Lions with 11 tackles followed by Williams and Jabril Norman's seven. Williams and Nick Jackson each intercepted a Tusculum pass while Norman forced the lone fumble of the contest, picked up by Tarshawn Reed.
The Lions outgained Tusculum 418-343 and won the possession battle, holding the ball for 31:15 on the afternoon.
Mars Hill will compete for the South Atlantic Conference Championship on Saturday, November 12 as they travel to Newberry. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
