Wes McElroy touched the ball three times Thursday night against East Memorial.

One of McElroy’s trio of rushes went for no gain. But the other two accounted for long scoring runs as the Marion Military Institute Tigers routed East Memorial, 37-0.

It was the first on-field victory of the season for the Tigers (2-7), who also own a victory by forfeit over Warrior Academy, which decided just prior to the start of the season not to field a football team.

“This was a game we needed to win,” MMI coach David Ivey said, “especially going into the last game of the season. It gives our kids a big boost going into the Cornerstone Academy game.”

McElroy scored on runs of 52 and 44 yards to put the Tigers ahead 14-0 early in the first quarter.

His first score came off left tackle and was followed by the extra point by Sheppard Bowen.

McElroy then scored on a 44-yarder off right tackle that made it 14-0. Bowen again added the PAT.

Jovaris Smith increased the lead to 20-0 when he returned an East Memorial punt 52 yards for a touchdown.

Smith scored again early in the second quarter on a misdirection play from quarterback Andrew Alexander.

Smith broke free for the 12-yard scoring run to make it 27-0 at the half. Bowen added the extra point.

Smith wasn’t finished, however, as he opened the second half with an 85-yard kickoff return for another touchdown. It was the fourth straight game and fifth time this season that Smith has returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Bowen capped the scoring with a 26-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers totalled 175 yards rushing, including 96 by McElroy. Smith finished with 149 all-purpose yards.

Ivey predicted his Tigers would upset playoff-bound Cornerstone Academy when they face off Friday.

“I think we can play with Cornerstone. I think we can beat them,” Ivey said. “I think they’re going to overlook us going into the playoffs.”