Mountain Home’s 7th grade and junior varsity football teams each left the field victorious Monday evening in a pair of matchups against Marion at the Arkansas-Tennessee border.
The 7th grade squad dominated from the start, shutting out the Patriots 48-0. Mountain Home’s defense forced six turnovers, with Parrish McIntare, Parks Blasdel, and Samson Chagnon each recovering fumbles, and Isaac Ade grabbing an interception late in the second quarter. On offense, Cael Bever, Dain Harper, Mason Sanders, Nolan Reese, and Avery Sallee all scored touchdowns, helping the team stay undefeated with a 5-0 record.
The junior varsity contest was a closer affair. After a scoreless first quarter, the Bombers capitalized on a Marion miscue. A botched punt snap near the Bombers’ 20-yard line was recovered by Kyler Captrisecca, giving Mountain Home a 6-0 halftime lead. Late in the third quarter, a pass from the Bombers' quarterback connected with Joel Morales in the end zone for another touchdown, extending the lead to 12-0.
Marion responded in the fourth quarter by recovering a Mountain Home fumble and returning it 80 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the deficit to 12-6 with just over five minutes remaining. The Patriots threatened again in the closing moments, but Bombers defender Colt Thomas intercepted a pass with 16 seconds left, securing the win. The junior varsity team now holds a 3-2 record.
Both Mountain Home squads are set to return to action on October 5th with road games at Batesville Southside.