By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Three weeks ago, Hayesville had the unpleasant experience of being cannon fodder for Asheville South.
Last week, the Yellow Jackets enjoyed being the cannon. A great big cannon.
Hayesville (2-1) scored four touchdowns in the first 19 minutes and cruised to a 41-8 triumph over hopelessly mismatched Copper Basin (0-3), which has been outscored 140-8 in three games.
“We kind of knew going in that he’s struggling a bit. He only had 16 dressed,” Hayesville Head Coach Chad McClure stated.
Most of the 16 Cougars were freshmen or sophomores.
Hayesville dominated from the get-go.
Copper Basin’s first possession began around the 30-yardline but went backwards 27 yards due to two penalties and tackles in the backfield by Tre Graves, a 10-yard loss, and Will Brown, a 7-yard loss.
Subsequent possessions were more of the same.
“We made a lot of tackles for loss,” McClure said. “I was proud of our defense.”
Brown, Graves, Colton Bruggers, Brendon Collins, Jameson Dawson, Wyatt James, Ephraim Jones, Logan Querns and Johan Webb all dropped Cougars behind the line of scrimmage.
Jones was filling in for injured defensive end E.J. Mapasua. Webb filled in for Mapasua at tight end.
Hayesville’s coach was also proud of his offense.
Tre Graves galloped for three touchdowns and 143 yards on 14 carries, Kaden Ledford ran for a touchdown and rolled for 68 yards on just four tries, while Bruggers collected 13 yards on his lone carry.
Hayesville’s gaudy nine yards per carry average, 225 yards total, is a testament to how complete the Yellow Jackets owned the trenches despite Copper Basin’s strategy of trying to submarine Hayesville blockers.
Brown, Collins, James, Jonathan Godinez, Matt Gorham and Rayland Martinez repeatedly blasted gaping holes for Tre and Ledford to scoot through.
Hayesville’s first scoring drive can only be described as easy. Graves carried three times in a row — for 14, 18 and then 10 yards for the touchdown with 2:47 on the first-quarter clock.
The second march to the end zone six minutes later was nearly as impressive: Graves carried for 15, Ledford went for seven, Graves carried for 14, Ledford added three and Graves scored from eight yards out.
Hayesville’s next drive to pay dirt consisted of just two plays over :06 — an incomplete pass and a mix-up that quarterback Lance Coker and wide-out Ben Bethel turned into a 14-yard reception for six points. “On Ben’s touchdown we didn’t block it right, but
he made a great catch so it worked out all right,” McClure stated.
The Yellow Jackets struck again just :26 later after Bruggers intercepted a pass deep in Copper Basin territory. Graves scored on a 20-yard sweep on first down and Josue Salas kicked his third point-after to give Hayesville a 27-0 lead at halftime.
Incredibly, Hayesville’s four touchdown drives consumed less than 5:30.
The Yellow Jackets’ dominance continued in the second half even though McClure emptied the bench. Rylan Graves and Kaden Ledford scored touchdowns — Graves on a pass from Peyton McGaha and Ledford on a run.
The Cougars didn’t pose much of a test, but that’s about to change.
“It was good to get a win, but it’s going to get a lot tougher from here on out,” McClure said.
Undefeated Georgia Force Christian (4-0) comes to town Friday for a doubleheader on Youth Night. The JV’s of Hayesville and Georgia Force will play at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity matchup at 7:30 p.m.
“It should be a great atmosphere,” McClure said. “I watched them on film and their team is similar to last year. They got us last year; we have to get them this year. I expect it to be a competitive game. They always move the ball well.”
Georgia Force was a 39-2 victor over Cabarrus last week.