Staff
Tuesday, August 26, 2014 11:07 am

Cannon County senior tailback Ethan Smith, 32, takes on two Middle Tennessee Christian defenders during Friday night’s season opener at Schwartz Field.

By TONY STINNETT
Courier Sports Editor

There was no homefield advantage for Cannon County when it faced MTCS in the season opener for both teams Friday (Aug. 22) at Schwartz Field.

The Cougars (1-0) jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 48-6 thumping of the Lions (0-1). It marked the 22nd consecutive home loss for Cannon County dating back to the 2009 season.

Ethan Smith provided the only offensive highlight for Cannon County when he broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run in the second half. It was the Lions’ only score. They missed the 2-point conversion attempt.
Smith finished with 67 yards to lead the Lions’ offense.

Cannon County’s defense was exceptional for the better part of the first half.

Eldon Resko’s sack of Cougar quarterback Justin Winn to close MTCS’ first drive was a defensive highlight and seemed to set an early pace.

MTCS managed to score on its second possession to take a 6-0 lead. The 2-point try failed.

From there, Cannon County’s defense slowed the high-octane Cougar offense until a botched snap on a punt and an interception on back-to-back possessions in the second half turned the tide.

The score was 6-0 MTCS with less than seven minutes remaining in the half. Six minutes later the Cougars had turned two miscues into a 28-0 halftime lead.