Throughout history, dynamic duos have propelled themselves and those around them to greatness. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led the Bulls to six NBA titles in the '90s, Joe Montana and Bill Walsh created a dynasty in San Francisco and where would Guns-n-Roses have been without Axl Rose and Slash?
The Maryville Spoofhounds now have their own terrific tandem. Senior running backs John Farmer and Adam Mattson, along with 18 other seniors, torched defenses on their way to leading Maryville to its first district title since 2004.
As of press time Wednesday, Farmer and Mattson had accounted for more than two-thirds of Maryville's total yardage output. They accumulated 3,185 all-purpose yards this season.
They also accounted for nearly two-thirds of Maryville's points by scoring 220 of the team's 359 cumulative points.
The tandem has scored in about every possible way.
Farmer averages 13.7 yards per carry this season with 12 touchdowns. He has also turned three receptions into touchdowns, returned a punt for a touchdown and ran a kickoff back 90 yards for a score to jump-start the 'Hounds when they were down 14-0 to Chillicothe.
Mattson on the other hand, averages 8.7 yards per carry with 13 rushing touchdowns, 23 extra points, a 25-yard field goal and has thrown for a touchdown.
Don't expect Farmer to start throwing touchdown passes anytime soon though.
"We have a play, but we haven't ran it yet," Farmer said. "I'm not really the passing type."
Mattson also broke the Maryville career rushing record with 2,418 yards at the end of the regular season.
Mattson entered the season as the clear No. 1 running back for the 'Hounds after rushing for a single-season school record 1,257 yards and earning All-State honors in 2007. He has also earned All-MEC recognition every year since his freshman year.
Head coach Chris Holt expected Farmer to contribute as the No. 2 back in the 'Hounds' wing-based offense. He couldn't foresee the duo terrorizing opponents they way they have.
"We thought (Farmer) was going to produce for us, but I don't know that we anticipated quite as much as he has," Holt said.
The emergence of Farmer as a threat has made life easier for Mattson this season.
Mattson is quick to acknowledge the attributes of his partner and also mention a third senior running back that generally doesn't receive as much attention as Mattson and Farmer.
"It's nice having another running back, that way defenses can't just key on one guy," Mattson said. "I mean we've got (Wyatt) Maudlin back there too so you never know where the ball is going to be."
Farmer and Mattson seem to bring a different element to the offense, and pose a different sort of threat for defenses to worry about.
"Matty's a tough runner, and Farmer's just got the raw speed," senior safety John Schreck. "It's a good combination to have them both on the field for us."
As different as their running styles are, both backs prefer to lead by example and let their teammates do most of the talking while getting the team fired up before games.
"Those two are not the vocal leaders on the team," Holt said. "Our vocal leaders are Jazzy (Joe Jasinski), (Zach) Sherry and (Spencer) Twaddle. Farmer and Mattson are both the quiet type of kids."
Mattson and Farmer contributed beyond just the offensive side of the ball.
When senior defensive back Derek Johns injured his leg in the pre-season jamboree, Farmer filled the void in the secondary until Johns returned eight weeks later. Mattson has also routinely made plays on defense.
With the offense struggling to produce points against South Harrison, Mattson returned a blocked punt for a touchdown to break a 0-0 tie. Later in that same game, Mattson leveled Bulldog quarterback T.J Heitz to force a bad pass that was intercepted by junior nose tackle Jason Davis and set-up another Spoofhound touchdown.
Defensively, Mattson has 19.5 tackles with three for losses, and Farmer has totaled 11.5 tackles and broken up six passes.
Losing the explosiveness of Farmer, Mattson and the 18 other seniors on this year's roster is going to be a challenge for the coaching staff at the season's end.
"It's going to be tough," Holt said. "It's going to be like that scene off 'Friday Night Lights' at the end where they're pulling the names off the board and putting new ones up. But that's just part of coaching."
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