By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Hayesville’s 15 seniors deserved to finish their careers on a high note, but they’ll have to be content with a seven-win season after the Yellow Jackets were bumped from the second round of the 2A football playoffs by host East Wilkes, 44-7, Friday.
“I’m really proud of these seniors,” Hayesville Head Coach Chad McClure said. “This is the largest group of seniors we’ve had and they had a successful season. I hated that it ended so soon. They laid a good groundwork for those coming behind them.”
McClure had reason to be proud even though Hayesville — 7-5, No. 13 seed in the west — imploded against very good, very speedy East Wilkes — 8-3, No. 4 seed.
“I felt like our kids played really hard. They didn’t give up, they played hard to the end,” McClure said. “We had a flurry of things happen in the middle eight minutes of the first half.”
Flurry? More like a blizzard.
Hayesville fumbled the ball away on a first-quarter drive that might have evened the score at 7-all, had an interception returned 42 yards for a touchdown and then had a punt blocked that was scooped up and carried into the end zone. Those back-to-back-to-back misfortunes put Hayesville in a 26-0 hole.
“We didn’t help ourselves out,” McClure remarked. “You can’t have four turnovers and have two punts blocked and beat a team of that quality.”
That’s right, Hayesville had two punts blocked. The second stuffed kick gave the Cardinals the ball at Hayesville’s 7-yardline in the third quarter. Four plays later, East Wilkes scored again to increase its bankroll to 41-7.
The turnovers were largely due to the Cardinals’ impressive speed. That wasn’t East Wilkes’ only strength. The Cards were also masters of misdirection. How effective was the sleight of hand? More than one Jacket had the frustrating experience of tackling a Cardinal running back only to discover that a different red shirt was hot-footing it down field — with the pigskin.
East Wilkes scored 7 in the first quarter, 19 in the second, 15 in the third and 3 in the final stanza.
Hayesville’s only touchdown came just before halftime with the Cardinals cruising 26-0. Tre Graves ripped off gains of 11, 17, and 6 yards to carry the Jackets into East Wilkes territory. Then, a hiccup. A 5-yard loss brought up third-and-9. Gut-check time. Hayesville came through with an 8-yard gain on a Peyton McGaha lob to Ben Bethel that became a 23-yarder due to a personal foul. Two carries by Graves ate up 9 yards and put the rock on the 10 with 1:01 on the clock. McG then zipped a touchdown pass to Bethel. Josue Salas kicked the extra point.
Hayesville had another impressive drive late in the third period after Bethel picked off a Cardinal pass. An 11-yard aerial from McG to Bethel, followed by three consecutive carries by Graves put the Jackets near midfield. McG then found Bethel deep behind the secondary and Bethel high-stepped 55 yards to pay dirt, looking over his shoulder to converse with Cardinals star Austin Nash. Unfortunately, the long-gainer was nullified by a holding penalty.
Bethel finished his career with six catches for 114 yards to bring his season totals to 31 catches and 490 yards.
Graves also went out in style. The Galloping One gobbled up 121 yards to bring his season total to 1,586 and his career total to 3,517 with 44 touchdowns.
“We were decent up front and Tre had a decent night, another 100-yard game,” McClure said.
McG passed for 129 yards on 7-of-13 firing.
E.J. Mapasua led the defense with seven tackles. Will Brown had five tackles and a fumble recovery. Patrick Denton made four tackles and caused a fumble.