SEMIFINAL BOUND: Macon County, York Institute Win Quarterfinal Matchups, Advance To Next Week’s State Semifinals

By Michael Lindsay

Two Upper Cumberland football programs will have a shot at a state championship berth next week following Friday’s TSSAA state quarterfinal round as Macon County and York Institute picked up victories.

York Institute

The York Institute Dragons have advanced to the Class 2A semifinal round for the third consecutive season as they defeated Bledsoe County on Friday, 31-7.

Nathaniel Tipton and Joseph Linder rushed for 94 yards each in the victory as the Dragons posted 278 total rushing yards as a team.

York jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter as Tipton and Linder rushed in touchdowns in the opening frame.

Bledsoe County responded in the second quarter with a touchdown to cut their deficit to 12-7 before Tipton hit Linder on an 8-yard touchdown to give York a 19-7 lead at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, York punched in two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Lake Drake and Voiles rushed in touchdown to cap off York’s 31-7 victory.

The Dragons improve to 11-2 overall will travel to Marion County (11-2) next Friday for the Class 2A semifinals.

 

Macon County

The Macon County Tigers traveled to Region 4-4A foe White County for their quarterfinal matchup and defeated the Warriors 35-19 to clinch the first home substate game in program history.

Macon County’s win avenges a 34-18 week 7 loss at White County earlier in the year.

“We thought the world had come to an end when we lost to them the last time,” said Macon County head coach Kyle Shoulders. “In order to get back home, we knew we’d have to get to the semifinals. Our guys have had a lot of resiliency.”

Gabe Borders led the Tigers offensively as he posted 14 carries for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns along with 60 yards on special teams.

Borders opened the game with a 42-yard touchdown rush followed by White County’s Darvon Richmond rushing in a 27-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 in the second quarter.

Macon County quarterback Luke Gammon hit Zach Borders on a 32-yard touchdown pass to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter. Gabe Borders rushed in his second touchdown of the evening with 25 seconds left in the second quarter to give Macon County a 21-7 lead at halftime.

White County opened the second half with a touchdown as Tripp Pinion tossed a jet sweep to Damarious Dowell for a 2-yard touchdown pass to bring the Warriors within a score at 21-13 early in the third quarter.

Macon County pushed back ahead by 2 scores later in the quarter as Gammon hit Matthew Wheely for a 13-yard touchdown strike to extend White County’s lead to 28-13 with 6:13 left in the third.

White County found the end zone again late in the third quarter as Pinion rushed in a 4-yard touchdown to cut the Warriors’ deficit to 28-19 entering the fourth quarter.

Gabe Borders capped off his night with 8:27 remaining as he punched in a 4-yard touchdown rush to make the final score 35-19 in favor of the Tigers.

“Being able to finish the last two weeks by taking a knee is pretty special,” said Shoulders. “Seeing the crowd involved is special for our program.”

Macon County improves to 11-2 overall and is set to host Anderson County (11-1) next Friday in the Class 4A semifinals.

“I think it’ll be a special event,” said Shoulders. “Not only for our program, but for our community.”