Lions open season versus No. 14 Delta State
The Mars Hill football team (0-1) fell to No. 14 Delta State (1-0) by a score of 47-16 Thursday night in the season opener.
MARS HILL, N.C. – The Mars Hill football team (0-1) fell to No. 14 Delta State (1-0) by a score of 47-16 Thursday night in the season opener.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Statesmen opened the scoring five seconds into the second frame as Nick Herber converted a 35-yard field goal. With 5:12 remaining in the half, Qualon Farrar put Delta State up 10-0 off of a two-yard scamper.
In the dying second of the half, JR Martin connected with Izaiah Jean-Baptiste in the corner of the north endzone, cutting the Delta State lead down to three. Jean-Baptiste kept his toes just in play for his first reception on the year, a 19-yard grab.
Jon Gullette led the Lions with 53 yards on the ground while Martin had 137 yards in the air in the first half.
Delta State struck at 10:31 of the third quarter to extend their lead to 10 as Jaylen Green was on the receiving end of a seven-yard pass from Cole Kirk. With under three minutes to play in the quarter, Lon Teachey tucked home a 30-yard field goal to pull the Lions back within seven.
With one minute to play in the third, Farrar recorded his second touchdown on the ground, punching it in from a yard out to send the Statesmen into the final fifteen minutes up 24-10.
Following another Delta State rushing touchdown, Martin found Malik Laurent in the back of the endzone with 9:14 to play for his second touchdown pass of the night, this throw from 15 yards out. On the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Marlon Windham returned the interception back for a safety.
Green caught his second touchdown pass of the night, a 48-yard strike from Kirk with 6:36 to play. Delta State tacked on one more score in the final 32 seconds to take the game 47-16.
Martin ended the contest with 197 yards in the air and two scores. He added 24 yards on the ground. Laurent led the Lions with 72 yards receiving and a touchdown. Dexter Fitzpatrick led the Lions with 11 tackles, four solo.
The Lions return to action on Saturday, November 21 when they host Lenoir-Rhyne in their South Atlantic Conference opener. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. inside the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.
