If 10,000 of your friends and neighbors in one place isn't enough fun for you on a Friday night, how about chipping in a heart stopper of a high school football game and a final score that wasn't decided up until the last downs of the game?

The 81st edition of the Battle of Pistol Creek between arch rivals Maryville and Alcoa had everything a football fan loves and more.

For the now 62-0 Maryville Red Rebels (4A), it was sound defense and just enough offense at the right times that did the trick, on their way to a 20-13 win.

The Rebels held a second consecutive ranked opponent to 200 or less total yards. Alcoa (2A) would amass 200 total yards on 42 plays. The Rebs held region rival Knox Halls to less than 160 yards in Week 0.

The Rebel D unit was lead by a headstrong linebacking corps of Luke Cox, Jeff Booker and speedster Cody McCoy and the power and speed of senior DE and D1 prospect Justin Smith. Smith recorded numerous sacks and made the Tornadoes backfield his place of business. The Maryville defensive backs also turned in a solid performance holding QB Chase James to 74 yards passing and shut down heralded WR Sam Thompson completely. DB's Jamal Brazan and Chris Jordan were clutch. Jordan was just recently offered by the Air Force Academy.

Rebel Senior RB Thomas Shuler lead the offense with a powerful 106 yard performance for a TD on 18 carries against arguably the toughest front 7 MHS will see all year.

The Reb offense was captained again in Week 1 by the two headed QB monster of Phillip Juhlin and Mark Young. When one ran into trouble, the other would sub and MHS rarely misfired. Juhlin lead the way on 5 of 11 passing for 64 yards and a TD, plus 62 rushing yards of his own.

What had to have been a "Cloud 9" type of experience for 1st year starting QB and senior Chase James in Week 0 vs. 3A Spring Hill, kind of came back down to earth Friday night.

James threw for a very impressive 189 yards and 4 TD's vs. Spring Hill in the Tornadoes opener at Goddard Field. Versus the Rebels Friday nite, the results were a bit more humbling. James threw for 4 of 11 for 74 yards, all to sturdy TE Tyler Robinson. The Tornadoes never got in synch through the air and WR Sam Thompson was a non-factor with no receptions.

But James and company played with heart and guts and never showed lack of poise or any concern as they went about their work professionally. The Tornado rushing game made up for a lot as well with Taharin Tyson and Jaron Toney. The duo combined for 95 yards rushing and a 6 yard per carry average.

The Alcoa defensive unit did an admirable job as well, holding the #49 ranked team in the

nation to less than 300 total yards and just 20 points. The Tornado dB's held Rebel QB Phillip

Juhlin to just 64 yards passing and just 1 score through the air.

The Tornado attack on all fronts was relatively error free as well, matching the Rebels penalties at 3 for 25 yards. Truly, Alcoa seemingly did everything necessary to win.

What really hurt AHS was the aformentioned lack of receptions for Thompson. The speedy WR snagged 2 passes for 139 yards and 2 scores in Week 0. Without the big bodied deep threat, Alcoa got in a ground game dogfight and simply ran out of clock.

for game stats, click HERE