By Gary Corsair
Staff Writer
Hayesville's second-round playoff game against Christ The King in Huntersville on Thursday promises to be action-packed, as the No. 12 seed Yellow Jackets (6-5) take on a private school that is seeded No. 5, has won nine of 11 games and is playing its best football of the season.
"Defense carried us early but our offensive line and our passing game is coming together," first-year Christ The King Head Coach Brian Decker remarked Tuesday morning.
Coming together? How much better can it get? The Crusaders have scored more than 40 points in its last two games.
Hayesville's defense will need to play its best game of the season if the Yellow Jackets are to advance to the third round of the NCHSAA Class 1-A playoffs.
Christ The King is the most pass-oriented opponent Hayesville has faced. Quarterback Reid Maxwell, who was an all-conference linebacker before being converted to quarterback, has thrown for 1,505 yards and 18 touchdowns. His favorite target Jake Dulski has 47 catches for 879 yards.
"The kid has a phenomenal arm," Decker stated. "He loves to throw deep, but we've dialed him back a bit and his completion percentage has gone up, so he's a believer now."
Hayesville can expect to see 15 to 25 passes, but the Yellow Jackets will also have to pay attention to running back Fauston Arias, who has rushed for 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"He's quick and runs with a little bit of power," Decker said. "He's really something. We have a hard time bringing him down in practice."
Great passing, an explosive running back and a deep roster that allows platooning have propelled Christ The King to the best record in school history.
"It's been rewarding. It's been interesting watching it come together," said Decker, who was an assistant coach in Arena football and the college ranks in Ohio before taking the job at Christ The King.
On paper, the Crusaders appear to be the better team, but Decker isn't overlooking Hayesville.
"They're an interesting team. They have some big backs," stated the coach, who mentioned running back/linebacker Taylor McClure and quarterback Logan Caldwell as players he's most concerned about.
Then there's the weather. The Crusaders play on natural grass and rain could be a factor.
"Playing a weather game is probably a disadvantage for us. We rely quite a bit on speed, while Hayesville has a solid, pound-it-out running game," Decker said.
True that. Especially lately. Taylor McClure and Kyle Lunsford both average more than 5 yards per carry. Both can catch the ball.
Most importantly, the Yellow Jackets have their helmets on straight. Confidence is high. Locking horns with the likes of Andrews, Murphy and Robbinsville have toughened already tough kids.
"You want to peak at the end of the season and I hope we're getting there. I still don't think we've played our best football. Hopefully, we will at the right time. The kids are giving us great effort as always," Hayesville Coach Chad McClure said.
Last year's 3-8 record and 40-13 first-round playoff loss to Swain are practically distant memories.
"It's playoff time. It's exciting, you just have to be better than the other team for 48 minutes. They're a good team, they're 9-2, but we've got a shot," Coach McClure said.
If you go
• Address: 2011 Crusader Way, Huntersville, N.C.
• Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
• You may want to bring a lawn chair since grandstand seating is limited.
Playoff Match-up at-a-glance
Hayesville Yellow Jackets (6-5)
No. 12 seed
Coach: Chad McClure
Roster: 10 seniors, 10 juniors, 10 sophomores, 15 freshmen
Average points scored: 22.5
Team average rushing yards per game: 161.5
Team average passing yards per game: 120.5
Leading scorer: Taylor McClure, 12 TDs
Leading rusher: Taylor McClure, 141/718 yards, 5.1 avg., 65.3 per game
Leading passer: Logan Caldwell, 81/153, 1,322 yards, 15 TDs, 1 Int.
Leading receiver: Avery Leatherwood, 32/386, 35.1 yards per game
Leading kick/punter returner: Michael Mauney, 261 yards
Leading tackler: Taylor McClure, 117