Devils blank Cards

Ashland made the short ride to Potts Camp Friday night and departed Marshall County with its first district win of the season.

The Blue Devils racked up 378 yards of total offense and scored in every quarter as they blanked the Cardinals 32-0. Just 20 miles separates the two schools.

“They had some big athletes in the defensive line, and they just manhandled us,” said Markeith Washington, head coach at Potts Camp. “We had trouble blocking them.”

The Devils went to 1-5 in Region 1-1A play, and they’re 2-8 overall.

The Cardinals fell to 1-9 overall and 0-6 in the district.

“My team continues to give a good effort; they keep fighting,” he said. “We have a lot of younger guys growing up.”

Ashland went up 6-0 in the first quarter. Ocquavion Agyekum reeled in a 15-yard touchdown toss from Tavionne Stiggers. A run for the two-point conversion was stopped by the Cards.

At the 5:07 mark of the second quarter, Wesley Thomas threw to Cornelious Jones for a 28-yard touchdown. It capped a 65-yard drive. Danny Hamer carried for the two-point conversion.

It was 14-0 at halftime.

“We got in the catch-up mode and that handicapped us,” Washington said. “We couldn’t capitalize on some opportunities.

“Ashland is a well-coached team.”

The Blue Devils tucked the win away with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns.

Zayvon Knox, who had 15 carries for 103 yards in the game, scored on a 47-yard run with 3:58 left in the third. A try-for-two failed.

Then with 31 seconds to go in the quarter, Thomas carried into the end zone from 1 yard out. A pass try for the two was incomplete.

Knox finished the scoring for Ashland in the fourth on a 9-yard run. Once again, a pass attempt for the conversion was broken up by the Cardinals.

Ashland had 227 yards rushing and 151 passing. The second leading rusher was Cornelious Jones with six carries for 76 yards. Agyekum had five catches for 96 yards.

Potts Camp had 147 yards total offense – 116 on the ground and 31 passing. Alex Hawkins was the leading rusher with nine carries for 57 yards.

Stiggers had two interceptions for Ashland. Markeo Raimey and Jabryan Pegues each had an interception for the Potts Camp.

Thomas was the top tackler for the Blue Devils. He had five solos and 10 assists. Courdarian Nesbit had four solos and four assists.

For Potts Camp, Jeremiah Scott had three solos and three assists. Hawkins, Trell Kimmons and Mitchell Saulsberry each had three solos and one assist.

Washington named Collin Massengill, who he called his “iron man,” the most valuable player for the game.

“I can always count on him,” the coach said.

The Cardinals will host Marshall County rival H.W. Byers on Thursday this week. Kickoff for the district match-up is set for 7 p.m. The Lions are 3-7 overall and 0-6 in the conference after a 44-12 loss last week to Thrasher.

“We’re excited about playing our cross-county rival and playing on a Thursday night,” Washington said. “It’s always a good game, and I know Coach Daniels will have his team ready.”

Potts Camp will then conclude the season on Friday night, Nov. 3, with a road trip to Okolona. Byers hosts Ashland on Thursday, Nov. 2.