The promise of a new season was wiped away in one play.
Marionville’s Layton Metcalf sprinted 49 yards untouched on the Comets’ first offensive play Friday night as the first of three rushing scores to lead a 30-0 shutout of the Houston Tigers.
Houston recovered from Metcalf’s 49-yard score just 1 minute, 19 seconds into the game and only trailed 14-0 entering the fourth quarter. But two more Metcalf scores left first-year coach Chris Edwards with a disappointing debut.
“We just did some things wrong and it cost us,” Edwards said. “A couple little mistakes and they capitalized on it.”
Metcalf, who has the dubious distinction of replacing record-setting running back Lee Flood, did his best impression of the prolific tailback. He racked up 221 yards on 21 carries and had 1- and 58-yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter.
The Comets, coming off consecutive appearances in the Class 1 championship game, led 14-0 when Jake Grubbs connected with Garrison Edgar on a 23-yard halfback pass 1:45 before halftime.
Trailing 7-0, Houston (1-1) twice converted on fourth down as part of an 11-play drive that stalled on the Marionville 8-yard line when they failed to convert a third fourth down.
“We did a couple decent things, but we couldn’t finish drives,” Edwards said.
“I thought we played hard for three quarters but fourth quarter, I wasn’t pleased with our effort.”
The Tigers never established a running game. Houston gained just 16 yards on 25 carries, led by Kirk Pierce’s 36 yards.
Marionville (1-0) had no so trouble. The Comets gained 318 yards on the ground.
Houston quarterback David Weybright was 10-of-20 passing for 78 yards and an interception. Ty Scheets had four receptions for 37 yards.
MARIONVILLE 30, HOUSTON 0
First Quarter
M – Metcalf 49 run (Edgar kick), 10:41.
Second Quarter
M – Edgar 22 pass from Grubbs (Edgar kick), 1:45.
Fourth Quarter
M – Metcalf 1 run (Grubbs run), 9:12
M – Metcalf 58 run (Grubbs run), 6:36.
SCA SCOREBOARD:
Mtn. Grove 42, Salem 16
Cabool 40, Ash Grove 22
Republic 38, Ava 13
Rogersville 13, Liberty Mt. View