By Travis Dockery
Sports Editor
The varsity Yellow Jacket football team entered the post-season matched up against a familiar foe. On Friday, Nov. 5, Hayesville’s team headed to Bryson City to face the Maroon Devils. Unfortunately for Jacket Nation, the tournament event was almost a replay of the regular season game. Swain’s offense was just too much and the Jackets headed home on the losing end of a 40-13 score.
In the first quarter, it appeared that fans were going to be treated to a close one. Hayesville failed to put points on the board, but the Jackets’ defense played tough and held Swain to just 6 points.
Things took a drastic turn in the second quarter as the Devils’ offense started firing on all cylinders. The success Hayesville’s defense had in the first quarter was now a distant memory as the home team put up 21 unanswered points to go into the locker room up 27-0 at the half.
The third quarter was another one won by the Devils, albeit much less lop-sided than quarter two. Defense was the theme of the quarter as the Jackets were able to limit Swain to 7 points. On the other end of the field, the Devils were able to guard the goal line and keep their shutout intact.
Down 34-0 and with their season on the line, the Jackets hit the field full hope and fight, the Jackets took to the gridiron. Hayesville finally broke through when quarterback Logan Caldwell hit Kyle Lunsford and Michael Mauney for touchdown passes. It was too-little-too-late. Swain tacked on another 6 points for the final score of 40-13.
Hayesville ends the season with a record of 3-8. The highlight of the season was a thrilling 36-30 win over Cherokee on senior night.
Changes within the Smoky Mountain Conference seem to have created a shift in power and next year could very well be the season that Hayesville breaks through for a conference title.