Maryville’s Carson Jones runs in a touchdown against Alcoa in a non-region matchup on Jim Renfro Field at Shields Stadium in Maryville, Tennessee, on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. (Photo by Danny Parker)
By JESSE SMITHEY
MARYVILLE — With just seconds left on the first-half clock and his Maryville team needing points to cut into a nine-point Alcoa lead, Maryville quarterback Carson Jones took the snap from center and then put on a scrambling display.
He pump-faked a throw and then escaped the grasp of Alcoa defensive end and 2019 Mr. Football finalist Grey Carroll. Next, he rolled right and — while being wrangled down by Alcoa star linebacker Cam Burden — managed to get a pass off a pass.
That pass went to no one and fell aimlessly out of bounds.
Though on the surface Jones’ scurrying looked purposeful, it ultimately drained the second-quarter clock to zero. Maryville didn’t get a chance to even attempt a field goal.
Maryville coach Derek Hunt was none too pleased with his first-year starter’s decision-making. But both approached it as a teaching moment at the half.
And luckily for Hunt, Jones proved to be a quick study who would make amends in the second half.
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