Isaiah Escandon Rushes For 208 Yards In Macon County’s 22-20 Win At Stone Memorial

By Michael Lindsay

The Macon County Tigers (6-1, 2-1) traveled to Crossville on Thursday and earned a key Region 4-4A victory over the Stone Memorial Panthers (3-4, 0-2) by a 22-20 margin.

“I’ve got to speak on the camaraderie and family-like atmosphere within our team,” said Stone Memorial head coach Kyle Shoulders. “We’ve got some guys out that are typically in the spotlight,

Junior running back Isaiah Escandon led the way with 208 rushing yards and a touchdown. Entering Friday’s game, Escandon had only two career carries and was starting in place of Xavier Bentley, who was out with an injury.

“Isaiah knew he could do this if he was given the opportunity,” said Shoulders. “One of his best qualities is how he’s handled all this. He waited until it was his time with a great approach, and it’s pretty special.”

Stone Memorial struck first with 2:12 remaining in the first quarter as Max Warner hit Kadyn Page in the corner of the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown pass. The Panthers led 7-0 following the PAT.

Macon County answered early in the second quarter with a 95-yard drive capped off by Escandon rushing in a 9-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 7:58 remaining in the second period.

The Tigers took their first lead of the game with 15 seconds left in the first half as Camren Miller took a quick pass 27 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown, giving Macon County a 14-7 lead at the break.

The Panthers tied the contest with 2:08 left in the third quarter as Lincoln Eldridge took a 6-yard run into the end zone, tying the contest at 14-14.

Stone Memorial opened the fourth quarter with a fourth-down stop on their own 5-yard line. Their success was short-lived as Macon County’s Bradyn Hasse tackled a Stone Memorial runner in the end zone for a safety two plays later to give Macon County a 16-14 lead with 10:36 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“Sometimes it’s better to have really good players than really good plays,” said Shoulders. “The guys bailed me out on a bad decision; we probably should’ve kicked the field goal. But you never know how it’ll pan out, and I’m thankful that the defense bailed us out.

Macon County struck again on their ensuing drive as Brennan Flowers punched in a one-yard touchdown with 5:32 remaining. Following a failed PAT, Macon County’s lead remained one possession at 22-14.

Stone Memorial answered on their ensuing drive as Warner hit Eldridge for a 19-yard touchdown strike with 2:18 remaining to pull the Panthers within two points at 22-20. The Macon County defense held out the Panthers on the two-point conversion as they forced an incomplete pass to preserve their 22-20 victory.

Macon County has a bye week next week while Stone Memorial travels to Livingston Academy (4-2, 0-1) in Region 4-4A play.