Bears run away from Bison, 36-21
Kenny Howell
Managing Editor/MJChronicle
The Mt. Juliet High School football team slammed their foot on the gas pedal and didn’t let up until the clock hit zero in a 36-21 win over Station Camp Friday.
On the first play of scrimmage, quarterback Nolan Chowbay kept the ball on an option, and took it right up the gut of the Station Camp defense. He wasn’t touched on his 75-yard foot race to the end zone.
That set the tone for the rest of the night as the Bears were always a few steps ahead of the Bison.
After Station Camp went three-and-out on their first possession, Thomas Harmon set up the Bears in good position to score again with a 54-yard punt return. The Bears were held out of the end zone, and Hayes Foster connected on a 21-yard field goal to make it 10-0.
The Bear defense shut down the Bison again, and Mt. Juliet went on a long drive that spanned 71 yards on 14 plays. The Bears converted a fourth down by drawing Station Camp outside, a third down on a 16-yard pass from Chowbay to Peyton Haynes, then another third down on a slip screen to Josh Williams. On third and goal at the three, Chowbay went to Alex Landis on the outside to push the score out to 17-0.
That score held until the half.
The Bison needed something to get them going to start the second half, but the returner on the kickoff let his knee touch on the two yard line, giving Station Camp 98 yards ahead of them. However, the Bears turned their mistake into points when Zach McConnell rushed the corner and tackled Station Camp quarterback Kyle Anderton in the end zone.
Station Camp were finally able to capitalize on a Mt. Juliet mistake when the Bison recovered a muffed punt. A few plays later, Anderton found Josh Gilley on a 6-yard pass to cut it to 19-7.
The celebration was short lived as the first play on Mt. Juliet’s next drive, Chowbay found a wide open Austin Simpson to his left, and Simpson outraced everyone to the end zone for an 80-yard score.
Station Camp was able to cut into the lead again two possessions later with a touchdown, but Chowbay and Simpson had another big play in them. Chowbay got it to Simpson, who shook loose of a defender and outran everyone to the end zone again, this time for 88 yards.
Station Camp wasn’t going away. They came up with another score to cut it to 33-21.
Mt. Juliet needed to get points and eat up some clock. They were able to come up with big plays once again on third down, as Chowbay connected with Williams on a 3rd-and-9, then Chowbay hit a diving Landis on a 37-yard gain. The drive stalled at the 16-yard line, but Foster was able to get another three points to push the lead out to 36-21.
Station Camp had two chances to get points late in the game, but both ended in turnovers.
Chowbay put up big numbers in the contest, going 12-for-22 for 288 yards and three scores through the air, while also picking up 105 yards on eight carries and a score on the ground. He was named Titans Prep Player of the Week.
Simpson finished with three catches for 184 yards and two scores.
Mt. Juliet hits the road again next week as they play highly ranked Blackman. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
