Mercer County crushes Annawan-Wethersfield, 47-7

Annawan-Wethersfield scored early against the Mercer County Golden Eagles Friday night but the didn't score very often or even at all after the Titans opening drive.

The Golden Eagles dominated the Titans in a 47-7 victory on opening night.

Annawan was considered a contender for the conference title going into the night but will spend the next week regrouping.

Titan Kegan Jacobson scorred on a 40 yard run at the 11:04 mark giving Annawan-Wethersfield a 7-0 lead early in the contest. It would be the only score in the first quarter.

The tide may have turned early in the second quarter when Jesse Snyder picked up the first of his three sacks on the night tackling Titan quarterback Tony Gripp for a 10 yard loss on a third down and seven play.

Tyson Nylin returned he ensuing punt back 30 yards to the Titan's 35 yard line.

Two plays later Derrick Morford scored on a two yard run. The extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 9:06 remaining in the second quarter.

The Titan's next drive ended on another Jesse Snyder sack on third and three forcing the Titans to punt.

The Golden Eagles went to work on the ground as Matlick picked up 28 yards on one rush and Zach Nelson followed with a 27 yard run. Two plays latter Nelso rushed for 21 yards down to the Titan two yard line. Nelson scored on a two yard run and Mercer County led 13-7.

The Golden Eagles got the ball back late in the fourth period with 2:40 remaining in the half. They completed an eight play 55 yard drive in the endzone as Matlick found Payton Holmes for the score on 23 yard pass. Matlick's conversion pass to Devin Morford gave the Golden Eagles a 21-7 lead at the half.

Disaster struck the Titans on the opening kickoff in the form of Payton Holmes. Holmes returned the kick 75 yards for the touchdown giving Mercer County a commanding 27-7 lead early in the third quarter.

Jesse Snyder's third sack of the night dropped Gripp 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage and effectively ended the Titan's hopes of rebounding quickly after the Holmes score.

The Golden Eagles offensive line continued to pound away at the Titans as Derrick Morford picked up 14 yards on one play and Nelson added 25 yards on the next one. Matlick's eight yard run helped set up a 22 yard pass to Derrick Morford down to the Titan's four yard line. Junior Caleb King scored on a four yard run giving the Golden Eagles a 33-7 lead with 8:13 remaining.

Mercer County's Logan Snyder scored two more touchdownson runs of 29 and nine yards to finish out the contest.

Bryce Skiles also picked off a Titan pass late in the contest.

Logan Snyder led the Golden Eagles in rushing with 111 yards on 14 carries. Zach Nelson added 85 yards on five carries. Derrick Morford had 64  yards on eight carries. Jesse Snyder had 38 yards on five carries.