Scrimmage Recap: Marshall Co. vs. Page
The final Friday of scrimmages are over and the next time we step on the field, it will be game time and the official start of the 2021 football season!
Finishing off our tour of pre-season action, Friday night we traveled down to Marshall Co. to check out the Tigers and their competition, the Page Patriots face off in their last scrimmage that went heavily into the favor of the home team.
From almost the start of the game, Marshall Co. took control and never let go. The Tigers certainly appeared to be the better team but this was only a scrimmage, so you can’t look over Page so easily but it wasn’t their best of performances.
The biggest takeaway from watching both team’s was that Marshall Co. simply has better and more athletes compared to the Patriots and it showed on Friday night.
Page had a hard time keeping up with the Tigers athleticism all night long, especially senior defensive back LaMarion Pierce LaMarion Pierce 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Marshall Co. | 2022 State TN .
The Tigers star player and current D1 offered prospect played both ways on Friday night and will likely do so this season and no matter where he was, Pierce was too much to handle!
First on offense, Pierce caught a long pass from Tigers senior quarterback Bryson Hammons Bryson Hammons 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Marshall Co. | 2022 TN for the score and then in the 2nd quarter the 6’0 long and athletic playmaker returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown.
He was also active on defense where he made a few tackles in open space and when the Patriots offense did throw his way, Pierce was consistently right on the ball.
Pierce easily looked like the best player on the field Friday night from both teams but he was not the only Tiger that put forth a strong game against the Patriots.
Junior running back Demari Braden Demari Braden 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Marshall County | 2023 TN scored twice in the 1st half from inside the 10 yard line but did so by breaking multiple tackles and showing excellent vision. He along with back Trice Gordon form a nice one-two punch in the backfield for the Tigers this season.
Overall, it just wasn’t the Patriots night as the athleticism was too much and they couldn’t win the line of scrimmage but pre-season is there for learning moments and that’s what Friday night was.
Marshall Co. on the other hand might be primed and ready for the start of the season next week and poised for a big year. They have the senior quarterback, elite athlete and a well coached team to cause damage on the 4A level and then some.
Game Notes
– This was my first time being able to see Page quarterback Jake McNamara Jake McNamara 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Page | 2022 State TN play in pads and while it wasn’t his or his offense’s best night, he did show me why he is a current Colorado State commit. He is a mobile guy that works the pocket well and showed good arm strength that can play up on the college level.
The biggest drawback with him is only his size. McNamara looks about 5’11, almost 6’0 and there is nothing wrong with that because he handles the position just fine but if runs up against a tall and long defensive line, he could see problems.
McNamara is a good quarterback with college traits and abilities that will fit well in a college system because of his knowledge of throwing the ball and his competitive nature.
– Sleeper senior from Marshall Co. to know about and follow this season is two-way talent Devonte Davis. This 6’3 long and athletic prospect has started to fill into his body this year and will be leaned upon heavily for a lot of snaps on both sides of the ball. His upside is yet fulfilled as he is still developing and he could actually excel on the next level at either wide receiver or defensive back, so it will be interesting to see how this coming football season works out for this under the radar talent.
– A bright spot on Friday night for the Patriots was the play of 2025 linebacker Eric Hazzard Eric Hazzard 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Page | 2025 State TN . Many don’t know about this guy but trust these eyes as Hazzard has the size, arm length and body frame to grow into a legit college recruited prospect. Hazzard flashed nice range along with solid instincts and the ability to cover in space. He should eventually become a known guy as he is already a starter for the Page defense that will only grow in status over the coming years.