Ethel completed only one pass for 12 yards against Leake County. But when you run for 336 yards, you really do not need a passing game, as was true for the Tigers in a 38-7 victory Friday night.
“We pounded the ball offensively like we wanted to,” said Coach Adam Smith. “Our offensive line is mauling folks.”
The stats bear that out. In two games — Ethel opened with a 43-0 victory over East Rankin Academy — the Tigers have run the ball 82 times for 665 yards, averaging eight yards a pop.
Against Leake County, Marcus Jones had 25 carries for 129 yards.
“He's our bell cow,” Orr said. “He's hitting his holes, running hard, and running over people.”
Jones had plenty of help. Anton Clark had 12 carries for 104 yards and Ladarrius Hubbert seven for 88.
The guys up front opening the holes are tight end Steven Steed, center Kameron McCuller, guards Tyler Weaver and Wyatt May, and tackles Jacob Holman and Jerid Sumners.
Jones scored the first touchdown on a one-yard run. Holman fell on a fumble in the Leake County end zone, Hubbert had TD runs of 47 and 6 yards and Clark scored on a 48-yard run.
Defensively, the Tigers have allowed only one TD in two games. Smith gave credit to outside linebackers Clark and Cyrus Rone, each with five tackles against Leake County.
“They didn't let Leake County tailbacks get outside,” he said.
Leake County was the Tigers' first Region 4-1A game. Next up is a region game Friday at French Camp Academy. The Panthers are 1-3, but the losses came against larger schools, 2A Eupora, 2A Nanih Waiya, and 5A Starkville Academy. French Camp is coming off a 21-7 victory over Hamilton in the Panthers' first 3-1A game.
“They're a solid team,” Smith said. “We're going to have to be technically sound on defense and be where we are supposed to be. If we get out of position, it could end up pretty bad for us.”
French Camp has a balanced attack led by quarterback Cody Perry and running back Silas Hodge.
