Macon County's Football Dominance Unleashed
Early Game Highlights
The first quarter was a tale of miscues as both teams struggled. Macon County punted twice and lost a fumble, while Melrose fumbled three times (one lost). Gabe Borders led the Tigers with 38 rushing yards. However, it was Gabe Borders who struck early in the second quarter with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Luke Gammon, giving Macon County a 7-0 lead.Later in the second quarter, Melrose fumbled for the fourth time (second lost) at the Macon County 49. Brennan Flowers capitalized with a 2-yard touchdown run, extending Macon County's lead to 14-0 with 6:17 left. This turnover proved crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Second Half Explosion
In the second half, Macon County truly came alive. Zach Borders, one of the twin brothers, scored his second touchdown of the day from the 1, increasing the lead to 31-14 with 9:42 left in regulation. His 23-yard run earlier in the drive set up the touchdown.Zach Borders continued his dominant performance, scoring his third touchdown on a 47-yard run with 7:54 left, pulling Macon County further ahead to 38-14. His fourth touchdown, a 5-yard run with 2:49 left, sealed the victory with a final score of 45-14.
Twin Brothers' Dominance
Zach Borders ran for an astonishing 249 yards on 25 carries and four touchdowns, while Gabe Borders rushed for 117 yards on 18 carries and threw a 32-yard TD pass. Their combined rushing yards of 370 and five touchdowns in the semifinal win over Anderson County set the stage for this state championship victory.Their performance as a two-headed monster in the backfield was instrumental in Macon County's success, showcasing their exceptional skills and ability to lead the team.
Melrose's Fight
Melrose, making its first state title appearance since 2005, fought hard. Rhyan Brown rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns, and Jamarion Morrow, a four-star running back transferred from Germantown, scored his team's lone touchdown last week. Despite their efforts, they couldn't overcome Macon County's dominance.Melrose cut into the Macon County lead in the third quarter with Rhyan Brown's 20-yard touchdown run, but Macon County kept pulling away with Zach Borders' touchdowns.
Game-Winning Moments
Eli Gammon's 35-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half extended Macon County's lead to 17-0 at halftime. This six-play, 36-yard drive after forcing a Wildcat punt was a significant boost for the Tigers.Throughout the game, Macon County's defense also played a crucial role, forcing turnovers and preventing Melrose from making a comeback. The team's overall performance and determination were on full display in this historic state championship.
Expert Consensus Rankings and Lineup Advice
Kirk Cousins (QB – ATL) | QB22 for Week 14
When it comes to quarterbacks, the Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) places Kirk Cousins at QB22 for Week 14. However, there are other quarterbacks ranked higher by the ECR. Cooper Rush from the Dallas Cowboys and Aidan O’Connell from the Las Vegas Raiders are both ahead of Cousins. On the other hand, quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers from the New York Jets and Bryce Young from the Carolina Panthers are ranked lower.Looking at the popular Who Should I Start? searches of the week, it's interesting to note that 71% of experts chose Cooper Rush over Kirk Cousins. Similarly, 66% of experts preferred Aidan O’Connell. But when it comes to comparing Cousins with Aaron Rodgers, 89% of experts went with Cousins. And when it comes to Bryce Young, an astonishing 97% of experts chose Cousins.Isaac Guerendo (RB – SF) | RB15 for Week 14
For running backs, Isaac Guerendo is ranked RB15 for Week 14. The ECR has some running backs ranked higher than Guerendo. Tony Pollard from the Tennessee Titans and James Conner from the Arizona Cardinals are among them. However, there are also running backs ranked lower, such as Rico Dowdle from the Dallas Cowboys and Aaron Jones from the Minnesota Vikings.In the popular Who Should I Start? searches, 76% of experts chose Tony Pollard over Isaac Guerendo. 81% preferred James Conner. When it came to comparing Guerendo with Rico Dowdle, 67% of experts stuck with Guerendo. And for Aaron Jones, 74% of experts chose Guerendo.Jauan Jennings (WR – SF) | WR25 for Week 14
Among wide receivers, Jauan Jennings is ranked WR25 for Week 14. The ECR has some wide receivers ranked higher than Jennings. Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals and Garrett Wilson from the New York Jets are in that category. But there are also wide receivers ranked lower, like Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Khalil Shakir from the Buffalo Bills.In the weekly Who Should I Start? searches, 74% of experts chose Marvin Harrison Jr. over Jauan Jennings. 60% preferred Garrett Wilson. When it came to Brian Thomas Jr., 53% of experts chose Jennings. And for Khalil Shakir, 81% of experts went with Jennings.Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneInIf you're looking to delve deeper into fantasy football, our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools is at your disposal. Whether it's our Start/Sit Assistant, which provides the optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections, or our Waiver Wire Assistant, which helps you quickly identify available players that can enhance your team and the extent of their impact, we've got you covered throughout this fantasy football season.Significance of the Moment
On Friday night at Albertson’s Stadium, a new first was achieved. Boise State’s 21-7 win over UNLV earned them an automatic berth in the first 12-team College Football Playoff. This moment is of great significance not only for Boise State but for college football as a whole. It challenges the traditional power structure and offers more opportunities to the "little guys."Group of 5's Big Break
A generation later, the 12-team Playoff format finally saved a seat for the Group of 5 programs. Boise State, one of the original giant killers, took advantage of this opportunity. Jared Zabransky, quarterback of the undefeated 2006 Fiesta Bowl team, expressed gratitude that these kids now get the chance to play for a national championship.Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty led the team to their second straight Mountain West championship. Breaking a 75-yard touchdown and notching his sixth 200-yard game of the season (219), Jeanty ignited the passion of the 36,663 fans at sold-out Albertson’s Stadium. They tore down the goal post and celebrated in the nearby Boise River, knowing they were part of history.
Boise State coach Spencer Danielson emphasized the importance of this opportunity. "As a competitor, all you want is a shot," he said. The team has driven Boise State's evolution from a junior college to an FBS national power.
Overcoming Challenges
In the past, Boise State had many near-misses. Coaches like Dan Hawkins and Kellen Moore had undefeated teams but didn't get the call to the national championship. Just 13 months ago, the team was 5-5 and in danger of a losing season. But under the leadership of Spencer Danielson, they turned things around.With Jeanty's outstanding performance, Boise State was picked to win the conference in the preseason but was not considered a front-runner for the CFP. However, Jeanty's 2,497 rushing yards in a regular season have made him a serious contender for the Heisman Trophy.
If Boise State earns a top-four seed, they will likely receive a bye to the quarterfinals and be placed in the Dec. 31 Fiesta Bowl. They could even move up to the No. 3 seed if Clemson upsets SMU. A potential matchup with the No. 5 seed would be a fascinating challenge.
Building a Legacy
Boise State has a history of beating top teams. From the famous Statue of Liberty play to defeating top-10 Virginia Tech and demolishing Georgia, they have proven their worth. Winning a College Football Playoff quarterfinal would be their signature feat, similar to Gonzaga's rise in the NCAA Tournament.Coach Danielson emphasized the team's desire to leave a legacy. "Standing on that podium, seeing Bronco Nation swarm the field, those are moments that can change everything," he said. This moment is not just for Boise State but for college football as a whole.