Lions trounce Wolves, win first of season
MHU holds Newberry to just three field goals in first win of season on the road in SAC clash.
NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Mars Hill football team (1-2, 1-1 SAC) defeated Newberry (1-2, 1-1 SAC) by a score of 34-9 Saturday afternoon in South Atlantic Conference play.
Mars Hill opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game as JR Martin connected with Simeon Thompson on a 43-yard pass. With 4:07 left in the frame, Bryce Earley hit the first of his three field goal attempts on the afternoon, a 41-yard strike to cut the Lions' lead down to four.
Twelve seconds into the second, Earley hit a 33-yarder to pull the Wolves within one. Martin extended the Lions' lead with 7:48 left in the half, rushing for the first of his two one-yard scores on the afternoon.
Earley capped the Wolves' scoring with 3:25 left in the half, hitting a 53-yard field goal. With less than a minute to play in the half, Martin rushed for his second touchdown of the day. Lon Teachey, with 13 seconds left in the half, connected on a 23-yard field goal to send the Lions into the half up 24-9.
Mars Hill shutout Newberry in the second half, outscoring them 10-0, highlighted by Malik Laurent's 10-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
The Lions outgained Newberry 341 yards to 198, holding the Wolves to just 42 yards on the ground and recording five sacks on the afternoon.
Martin went 17-of-24 in the air for 215 yards and two scores. He added 51 yards on the ground and two scores as well. Jon Gullette matched Martin's 51 yards rushing while he led the team with five receptions for 63 yards.
Dexter Fitzpatrick led the Lions with seven tackles followed by six from Steven Reid. Kobe Haynes and Jaidyn Hicks led the Lions' defense with two sacks apiece, totalling 47 yards lost.
Mars Hill returns home on Saturday, October 12 when they host Carson-Newman in their Mountain Division opener. Kickoff inside Meares Stadium is set for 1 p.m.