Lions' dramatic OT win downs No. 23 Carson-Newman
Mars Hill redeems 2024 contest with thrilling win at home.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill football team (1-1, 1-0 SAC) downed No. 23 Carson-Newman (1-1, 0-1 SAC) by a score of 31-24 in overtime Saturday afternoon inside the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.
The Lions led 24-10 entering the fourth quarter. Two Eagles' touchdowns saw the contest tied at 24 with under three minutes to play. With under 20 seconds remaining, a Mars Hill interception, while in scoring position, allowed the Eagles to force overtime.
Carson-Newman won the coin toss and chose to defend first. The Lions' five-play drive was capped off with JR Martin's third touchdown pass of the game, a nine-yard floater pulled down by Javonte Sherman.
The Mars Hill defense stood tall on Carson-Newman's possession, forcing two incomplete passes, but highlighted by Sakarri Morrison's sack on Tedros Gleaton.
The win marks Kevin Barnette's first as head coach and the Lions' first OT win since 2021.
Mars Hill led 21-0 at the half. Charlie Guinade caught his second touchdown of the year, a 20-yard strike from Martin with 8:13 to play in the first quarter.
In the second, Jon Gullette's 10-yard dash put the Lions up by two scores just 1:49 into the frame. Martin tossed his second touchdown of the day, a 30-yard reception in the hands of Edward Louis, Jr.
With 7:57 left in the third, Carson-Newman broke the shutout bid as Bennett Smith hit a 35-yard field goal. Just over three minutes later, Gleaton found Jeremiah Carroll for a 53-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Lions' lead down to 11.
Lon Teachey, with 37 seconds left in the quarter, nailed a 21-yard field goal to put the Lions back up by 14 entering the fourth.
The Eagles racked up 344 yards of total offense to the Lions' 341, outrushing them 247-133.
Martin ended the day with 19 completions for 208 yards and three touchdowns. He added 38 yards on the ground. Gullette led all rushers with 110 yards on 19 carries, averaging nearly six yards per carry.
Louis, Jr. led all receivers with six catches for 68 yards.
Defensively, Steven Reid collected 15 tackles with one fumble recovery. Morrison added 12 tackles, 2.5 for loss. Keenan Pierce forced the lone fumble of the contest, adding seven tackles.
Mars Hill hosts Anderson for game three of their four-game homestand on Saturday, September 20. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
