Mars Hill defeats Catawba in SAC opener
The Mars Hill football team (2-0, 1-0 SAC) defeated Catawba (2-1, 0-1 SAC) by a score of 35-20 Saturday evening on the road in their 2023 South Atlantic Conference opener.
SALISBURY, N.C. - The Mars Hill football team (2-0, 1-0 SAC) defeated Catawba (2-1, 0-1 SAC) by a score of 35-20 Saturday evening on the road in their 2023 South Atlantic Conference opener.
Catawba led 14-7 after the first as Preston Brown connected with Bo Pryor on two separate pass plays, a 78-yard connection 3:37 into the contest and a seven-yard strike with 1:29 remaining in the quarter. Jon Gullette scored the Lions' touchdown off of a nine-yard run.
Mars Hill held Catawba scoreless throughout the second and third quarters, outscoring the Indians 21-0. In the second, Joe Taylor, Jr.'s one-yard run 2:44 into the frame tied the game at 14. With under three minutes to play in the half, Simeon Thompson hauled in a 12-yard pass from JR Martin for his first touchdown of the game. Taylor, Jr. once again scored with 6:40 left in the third, a three-yard rush to put the Lions up 28-14 entering the final 15 minutes of play.
Thompson pulled in a 79-yard pass from Malik Laurent 3:04 into the fourth to give the Lions a 21-point lead. Brown picked up his third touchdown pass of the game with 8:36 left to play.
The Lions racked up 461 yards of total offense, 245 on the ground and 216 through the air. Martin threw for 137 yards and one score. Gullette ran for 206 yards on 29 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Taylor, Jr. added 53 yards with two scores.
Laurent caught nine passes for 99 yards while Thompson recorded 95 yards on three catches for two scores.
Dexter Fitzpatrick led the Lions' defense with seven tackles with one sack and forced fumble. Neil Vertilus made two tackles and picked off the lone interception.
Mars Hill returns to Meares Stadium on Saturday, September 23 when they face Barton. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
