Marion stuns Bearcats on last second touchdown

LEBANON -- Marion County's Bryson Bell corralled a 43-yard touchdown pass with 7.9 seconds to play to stun Anderson County 42-39 in Friday night football action.

Bell wrestled Eric Miles' pass away from the Anderson defense to cap a wild shootout that had seen Anderson rally from an 18-point deficit. Jacob Russell's 33-yard touchdown pass to Dustin Combs with 1:43 to play gave Anderson a 39-35 lead, the Bearcats' first advantage of the night.

"We had the game won but did not lock it down," said Anderson coach Mark Peach.

Anderson had trailed 35-17 entering the final quarter, but Russell led three scoring drives and the Anderson kickoff team recovered one of two onside kickoffs in the furious comeback. Marion had scored on the game's second play, an 88-yard run from Jordan Bell, who ran for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Bryson Bell caught four passes, three going for touchdowns.

Russell completed 26 of 37 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Russell's pass to Combs set a new school record of 18 scoring tosses in a season.

Marion improved to 7-2 on the year. Anderson, now 6-3, will entertain Western Hills on Anderson's Senior Night.

For complete coverage, see the Nov. 5 edition of The Anderson News.