By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Tre Graves repelled Tigers like a man lugging a spraying skunk and a hunk of Limburger cheese as Hayesville manhandled Rosman, 54-14, in an away game that wasn’t as close as the score indicated.
Galloping Graves ran for a touchdowns on each of his first three carries, amassed 121 yards on just four hand-offs and caught a TD pass — all in the first half. He didn’t carry in the second half, which provided back-up Yellow Jackets to finish the rout.
Graves’ blazing speed was a wonder to behold, but No. 6 also benefited from superb blocking.
“After last week, I kind of challenged our line to assert themselves and be more dominant,” McClure revealed after Hayesville ran wild for 279 yards on just 20 rushing attempts as interior linemen Will Brown, Brendon Collins, Jonathan Godinez, Matt Gorham, Rayland Martinez, repeatedly ripped Rosman’s front like it was a losing lottery ticket.
“They responded to the challenge,” McClure said.
The resounding response was amplified by tight end E.J. Mapasua, who missed the previous three games with an injury.
“E.J. really helps our offense, he helps open up our running game,” McClure said.
What a running game Hayesville (4-2 overall, 1-1 Smoky Mountain Conference) hit Rosman (2-4, 0-2 SMC) with.
Graves’ socko performance gives him 772 yards, a 9.5 yards per carry rushing average and 14 TDs for the season. Can you say Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year?
In the first quarter, Graves
See
JACKETS
B3
scored on a 26-yarder at 9:55, a 27-yard blast at 7:41 and a 52-yard explosion with 3:12 on the clock. Each score was followed by a good kick by Josue Salas and Hayesville commanded a 21-8 advantage entering the second act.
The fireworks continued when Kaden Ledford followed a superb block by Godinez to enter the end zone from four yards out on the first play of the second.
A few minutes later, Hayesville’s Daemien Soto blocked a punt and Hayesville recovered the ball at Rosman’s 20 yard line. On the next play Peyton McGaha displayed his scrambling ability after being chased out of the pocket and nailed Graves for a 20-yard score. Salas put the Yellow Jackets up 34-8.
“Peyton is doing some good things for us. He was able to move around in the pocket pretty well, especially on the touchdown pass to Tre,” McClure said.
Rosman’s inability to punt the football was a theme during the first half. The Tigers’ long snapper delivered three consecutive worm burning hikes on fourth down, which twice forced the punter to run instead of booting the ball. Hayesville stopped both runs and regained possession.
“Our special teams play was good. They gave us short field a few times,” McClure stated.
The defense also had a hand — a great big hand — in Hayesville enjoying great field position throughout the night. The Tigers only passed midfield twice in the first half – once on an interception.
Patrick Denton, who was unavailable for the Robbinsville game, was the foremost enforcer with 12 tackles.
“Having Patty back helps our defense. He was our leading tackler,” McClure said.
There certainly were plenty of opportunities to tackle. Rosman ran 51 plays to Hayesville’s 23.
Gorham and Braden Thompson had six tackles each, and Brown, Webb and Logan Querns had four apiece. Colton Bruggers and Eli Jack had fumble recoveries.
Hayesville will face a tougher test Friday when Cherokee visits on Homecoming Night.
“It’s going to get tougher. We’re going to see some big lines. Three of the next four are at home and we’re excited about the next stretch. Cherokee throws the ball a lot, left-handed quarterback. I expect a close ballgame.”