Smyrna Blasts Past McGavock For Key Region Win
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One of the top Mid-Tennessee games headed into Week Ten didn’t live up to the hype on Thursday night as the Smyrna Bulldogs walked into McGavock and blew out the Raiders, 41-14, doing so in dominating fashion. After the 1st…
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Continue ReadingOne of the top Mid-Tennessee games headed into Week Ten didn’t live up to the hype on Thursday night as the Smyrna Bulldogs walked into McGavock and blew out the Raiders, 41-14, doing so in dominating fashion.
After the 1st quarter where McGavock took the lead first off a tipped pass, run and score, Smyrna proceeded to take over and leave the Raiders in the rear view window, moving their record to 7-1 overall and keeping their region title hopes alive.
It was a spirited start for the Raiders as they looked like they were ready to go toe to toe with the Bulldogs. They scored on their 1st offensive drive then on defense, the Raiders picked off Bulldogs quarterback Landon Miller and all the momentum looked like it was with the home team.
Well that momentum didn’t last long for McGavock as the Bulldogs quickly adjusted, found a boost of energy then proceeded to lay the hammer down on the Raiders, led on the ground by stud senior Arion Carter Arion Carter 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Smyrna | 2023 State TN .
The Bulldogs are a run based team, so McGavock knew Carter would get a lot of carries but they couldn’t do anything to stop him as the Power Five prospect ran around and through the Raiders defense on his way to multiple touchdown’s and a 100 plus yard game.
As the game went along, the home team just couldn’t gain any traction nor pose a threat to the Bulldogs as Smyrna was just too tough and too good for the Raiders.
Everywhere on the field, offensively and defensively, Smyrna controlled every factor of the game and would not allow McGavock to gain an inch towards thinking they could come back. Deep into the 3rd quarter, the Bulldogs held a 20 plus point lead and all but wrapped up the victory, it was just a matter of the clock running out.
Smyrna is playing good football at the right time of the season. They did take defeat a few weeks ago to Cane Ridge but they have bounced back nicely since that loss and played well, looking poised for a possible deep playoff run.
The Bulldogs still have a slight chance at winning the region title but Cane Ridge must lose their final two games for that to happen and the Ravens have two very winnable games remaining.
McGavock took the “L” and it wasn’t pretty but the Raiders are still in the mix for the playoffs and can clinch their spot next week if they can defeat LaVergne. The Raiders have some serious firepower in Demitrius Bell Demitrius Bell 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR McGavock | 2023 State TN and Markellus Bass Markellus Bass 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH McGavock | 2023 State TN to lean on and use, so this team can learn from this loss, bounce back and cause damage in the postseason.
No matter how the regular season shakes out, Smyrna proved in their win Thursday night over McGavock that they are focused and ready to take on any competition that stands in their way.
The Bulldogs are a well coached team that plays hard throughout the entire game and has some horses in Carter, Miller, Jayden Marable Jayden Marable 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Smyrna | 2023 State TN , Thomas Jones Thomas Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Smyrna | 2024 State TN and others to lean on, so this is a formidable team that will be fun to watch over the coming months.
Smyrna Has Two Talented Junior Def. Backs
– Last night was a breakout party for junior defensive back Syrus Satterwhite Syrus Satterwhite 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Smyrna | 2024 TN as he produced on both sides of the ball but his impact was felt most on defense where he defended several passes and picked off one pass that he took to the house for pick six. Satterwhite sports nice size with good arm length and flexible lower body mobility, so he has traits of a future college player.
His counterpart on the other side is junior Thomas Jones Thomas Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Smyrna | 2024 State TN , who may have as much upside as any Bulldog on the roster as he sports legitimate 4.4 speed and the physical traits (6’0 height w/ long arms) to turn into a possible lockdown cover corner.
The Bulldogs have a pair of junior corners to build around for next year’s defense but this season, they are significant contributors to a Smyrna team that has the opportunity to maneuver through the playoffs and possibly find themselves in Chattanooga competing for a 6A title.
Game Notes …..
– Don’t sleep on McGavock even with this loss, they still have enough talent to win a few games during postseason play. Having a player like Bell means they have a player that can score at any given moment the ball is in his hands while Bass is a strong, sturdy ball player that provides a punch at running back and consistent play at defensive back.
They have to shore up several things, especially at quarterback and in the line of scrimmage but they have enough firepower to defeat and upset somebody in postseason play.
– Memphis is getting an interesting piece in
Jayden Marable
Jayden
Marable
6'2" | 280 lbs | DL
Smyrna | 2023
State
TN
as the guy definitely looks the part and showed last night mobility and power that translates very well to the next level. He showed off those skills on both sides of the ball as last night, he might have looked best on the O-line as he was opening holes and physically dominating his opponent all night long.