Impact of seniors felt by program

The football season came to a close Friday night in Marked Tree, as the Cougars fell to the hosting Indians, 34-8.

Marked Tree rattled off 26 unanswered points to break an 8-8 tie and secure the win.

"Once they took the lead back, that was pretty much all she wrote for us," Cougar coach Bob Alberson said. "After that, it looked like we were just going through the motions.

Rector got the ball to start the game, but was forced to punt. The Indians scored on their very first play from scrimmage, as running back Anthony Smith broke loose on a 30 yard touchdown carry. With the successful conversion, Marked Tree jumped ahead 8-0.

Rector responded quickly. Senior running back Clinton Haley mowed a path through defenders, bashing his way to freedom for a 44 yard touchdown with 6:54 left in the opening frame. Haley's number was called again on the conversion attempt, as he once again burst past the pylons, tying the game at 8-8.

From there, though, it was all Marked Tree.

The Indians struck once more in the first and again in the second to move ahead 20-8 at intermission. Marked Tree scored in the third and fourth quarters to set the final in place.

The game marked the final appearance for the team's seven seniors. Rodney Hall, Cody Hager, Richard Smith, Dustin Smith, Joe Gore, Seth Parsley and Haley stepped on the gridiron for the final time as members of the Rector Cougar football team.

"That was a tough way for our seniors to end their time here," Alberson said. "Each of those men, that's what they are: men, has been a big part of this program. You can't measure their importance."

Alberson noted the toughness of seniors, who he said stepped up and played through adversity.

"Football is not an easy game. Even if you don't enjoy the kind of success you hope to, the game still goes on. We didn't have the kind of year we wanted, the kind of year these seniors deserved, but they never quit. They kept going out there and working because that's just how they are. That's the kind of players you want on your team."

Rector finished the season at 1-9 overall with their lone win coming over Palestine-Wheatley for homecoming. The Cougars also notched a scrimmage win over county rival Corning prior to the start of the campaign.

The loss of Parsley in week seven was a critical strike to the squad, though Haley stepped up admirably in his absence. Both players were selected as All-Conference last season, and are considered by many to be named as such again this year.