By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Thirty-five points, 6.7 yards per carry, five touch backs, four quarterback sacks, zero turnovers.
Statistics tell how Hayesville defeated Town County, 35-2, but numbers don’t explain the shellacking as well as statements overheard on the Indians sideline Friday night.
“We’re getting our butts handed to us,” a Towns County player lamented after the Yellow Jackets went up 7-0 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Slade Crouch and a point-after kick by Isaac Chandler late in the first quarter in Hiawassee.
The kid had a point. The first quarter of the season-opening game saw Hayesville gain 125 yards on 16 plays, compared to -14 yards on six snaps for the Indians.
Things didn’t get much better for the hosts. Hayesville finished with 208 yards rushing compared to -18 for the Indians.
The second telling comment came from Towns County quarterback Connor Chastain after a third-down incompletion with Hayesville leading 14-0 in the third period.
“I ain’t got time to throw anything. I have to have time,” Chastain hollered to the sideline after being chased out of the pocket yet again.
Chastain had reason to vent. Hayesville’s quick linemen and blitzing linebackers spent a good deal of time in the Towns County backfield, effectively limiting Chastain’s opportunities to throw deep.
Colton Bruggers led Hayesville’s defense with six tackles, E.J. Abrams had five, Maverick Imlay caused a fumble, Eli Jack recovered a fumble and Taylor McClure blocked a field goal. McClure also sacked the quarterback, a distinction he shared with Kasen Chastain, Lane O’Dell and Tre Graves, who also made four tackles and forced a fumble.
“I’m really proud of the defense,” Hayesville Coach Chad McClure stated.
The third profound remark came late in the game after Hayesville’s Cole Vining churned out 18 yards on two carries to move the pigskin inside the 10-yardline. “They’re being more physical. It’s as simple as that,” a Towns County coach challenged his defense.
Hayesville quarterback Tate Roberts then zipped a 9-yard touchdown pass to Chandler, who added an extra point kick. Hayesville 35, TC 0.
Physicality was only part of the winning equation.
“We had good energy,” McClure stated. “It’s fun to see backs blocking for other backs and receivers blocking for backs. They’re just unselfish. They want to win and they’re willing to do what it takes to win. It’s a fun little group.”
The fun little group hit Towns County with an unstoppable ground game and added 66 yards via the airwaves as quarterbacks Tate Roberts and Peyton McGaha performed like veterans.
“We’ve been practicing both guys,” McClure said. “Both handled themselves well. They were composed and that’s going to be important going forward.”
McGaha, a freshman, provided three of the most thrilling moments after relieving Roberts with Hayesville leading 21-0 midway in the third quarter. McGaha raced for 15 yards on a keeper, then zigzagged 39 yards into the end zone on the next play. The touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty, but McGaha responded with a 31-yard bullet to Ben Bethel that moved the ball to the 4-yardline.
Sophomore Tre Graves took care of the remaining 48 inches, his second touchdown of the night. Graves gained 55 yards on the night.
“I thought Graves did well in what was really his first varsity game playing both ways,” McClure said.
Hayesville’s coach also praised Bethel, Chandler, O’Dell, McClure, Will Brown, Dante Robinson and Michael Mauney for impressive play on both offense and defense.
“It takes everybody. I could go down the list and name a lot of people,” McClure said. “The offense really moved the ball. We got great effort from the kids on the line. I thought the second group did really well. It was just a fun team win.”
Chandler, who was exclusively a kicker last year, caught a touchdown pass, covered receivers well and booted 5-of-5 extra points, and averaged 59.3 yards per kickoff.
Thanks to Chandler’s prodigious toe — and a 44-yard punt by Seth Leek — Towns County began every possession with lousy field position.
“Our average starting position was the 24, theirs was -40. That’s big,” McClure said.
Towns County only threatened twice. The hosts reached their guests’ 4-yardline early in the second act, but Hayesville rebuffed the threat with three consecutive losses that totaled 28 yards backwards.
The Indians made noise again in the final minute of the half when two completed passes moved the sticks to Hayesville’s 12-yardline. Again, the defense came through. O’Dell sacked the quarterback on first down. Two plays later, McClure blocked a field goal attempt.
Towns County’s only score came on a safety late in the game.
“I thought our kicking game was really good,” McClure said. “In fact, our special teams did well all around.”
McClure, who scored Hayesville’s second touchdown, led the Yellow Jackets with 89 all-purpose yards. McGaha was right behind him with 86 total yards despite having his long run erased by an infraction.
Hayesville faces a more formidable opponent this week when the Yellow Jackets travel to Mars Hill University to face 2A Madison, which was toppled by Polk County, 33-7, Friday.