Model holds down Mountaineers, 53-24

Published 1:20 am Saturday, November 6, 2010

Coming into Friday night’s game in Shannon, Model and North Murray both had extra incentive to end the season on a good note.

Model wanted to finish coach Lynn Hunnicutt’s first season with a win, and North Murray wanted to finish its first full season of varsity football with momentum.

The Blue Devils of Model were the team that accomplished their goal, defeating North Murray 53-24.

“(I’m) real proud of our seniors and proud of our whole team tonight,” Hunnicutt said.

The victory enabled Model to finish the season with a 3-7 mark — a two-game improvement from the 2009 season.

“We’re trying to set a legacy and get things turned around here,” Hunnicutt said. “We had some ups and downs this season, but this is something that we use to help use build for next year,” Hunnicutt.

North Murray started the game strong by driving down to the Model 5-yard line, but was held to a field goal. The Blue Devils running attack lead Model all they way down the field on their first possession, and Chris Hill capped off the drive with a 5-yard run to give the Devils the lead.

The first quarter ended with Model leading 7-3, but both teams were just getting started. North Murray scored on the second play of the second quarter on a fourth down conversion pass from quarterback Brady Swilling to Austin Owen for a 37-yard touchdown.

Model was now down 10-7, but that would be the last time they trailed. The Blue Devils went on to score four touchdowns to give them a 33-10-halftime lead, and all the momentum as the teams headed into the locker room for halftime.

The Blue Devils continued their strong play from the second quarter as they able to score on their first possession of the second half.

Model’s Zach Baker broke away and scored on a 32-yard touchdown run, which was his second rushing touchdown of his three-touchdown night.

North Murray was down 40-10, but they weren’t about to call it quits. The Mountaineers scored on yet another passing touchdown with Swilling and Owen hooking up again, this time for a 33-yard touchdown pass.

The Mountaineers then recovered the onside kick and we able drive down the field and score yet again. Swilling ran the ball in from the 5-yard line to cut the lead to 40-24. That would be the last time North Murray would be able to score.

Model was able to add two more touchdowns in the fourth, with the last one being an 83-yard pass from Dustin Fincher to Josh Haywood to put the score at 53-24.

The Blue Devils finished the night with 315 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

North Murray’s Swilling finished the night with 277 passing yards, and scored three total touchdowns.