By Gary Corsair
Staff Writer
Hayesville’s undefeated varsity football team could have scored 100 points against the North Georgia Falcons last Friday.
Absolutely no doubt about it.
Instead of running up the score against the Falcons — like Lanier did two weeks ago, Lanier Christian Academy 70, North Georgia 0 — Hayesville Coach Chad McClure took the high road and gave his back-ups much-needed experience as the Yellow Jackets rolled over the Falcons, 48-14.
“I was wishing the game was over before it was,” Coach McClure remarked. “But a lot of kids got to play that normally wouldn’t get as many reps. I thought they gave a good effort.”
According to Coach McClure, three players clearly made the most of their increased playing time — sophomore running back Dawson Devane, who led all rushers with 82 yards on 11 carries, an average of 7.5; junior defensive back Isaac Chandler, who made four tackles and picked off a pass; and quarterback of the future, sophomore Tate Roberts, who connected on 2-of-3 aerials.
As a unit, Hayesville’s second string played well overall, but they also allowed two touchdowns in the second quarter; the Falcons first points of the year.
“North Georgia couldn’t move the ball against our first group,” Coach McClure said in an understatement.
The Falcons gained a total of 4 yards on 10 plays from scrimmage in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, Hayesville could do no wrong. The Yellow Jackets scored 35 points on just 12 plays from scrimmage in the first 13 minutes as the offensive line owned the trenches at Veteran’s Park in Canton, Ga.
“We are executing a lot better up front,” Coach McClure said. “The kids are getting more confidence.”
The Yellow Jackets’ third win in as many games was probably the easiest win in school history. Hayesville gained 242 yards rushing — an average of 8.3 yards per carry, completed 8-of-9 passes for 125 yards, didn’t punt a single time and intercepted three passes.
Standout sophomore, Taylor McClure, did more damage in the first 4:53 than North Georgia did the entire night. In that span, Taylor romped for 12 yards, added runs of 6 and 4 yards to set up Hayesville’s first touchdown, returned a punt 41 yards and scored on a 5-yard run.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, Taylor intercepted a pass and churned and burned into the end zone from 37 yards out — a full evening’s work in less than 8 minutes. He wasn’t finished. With 8:14 showing on the second-quarter clock, Taylor bolted 44 yards to pay dirt. The touchdown was called back due to a penalty, but two plays later, Taylor scored an official touchdown with a 15-yard carry to put Hayesville on top 41-8 with 7:13 left in the first half.
Poor North Georgia. The Falcons were buried before they ever saw the shovel.
Hayesville’s first drive of 57 yards lasted just five plays and ending when Michael Mauney scooted 31 yards around right end for a 31-yard touchdown.
The second drive only took :03, the amount of time it took Taylor to haul the ball 5 yards into the end zone.
The third drive – which followed Taylor’s interception return for a touchdown — covered 71 yards in just five plays and only 2:30, ended with Logan Caldwell firing an 8-yard pass to Bryan Davenport, who bulled his way into the promised land.
The fourth scoring drive ate up 71 yards in 6 plays and culminated with Taylor crossing the goal line on a 15-yard run.
Prior to that drive, Kyle Lunsford picked off a pass and lumbered into the end zone from 38 yards out.
The final march to money came in the third quarter and ended when Avery Leatherwood hauled in Caldwell’s lob and scored from 19 yards out.
Chandler split the uprights on 6-of-7 point-after tries.
Caldwell was a perfect 6-of-6 for 98 yards and two touchdowns and still hasn’t been intercepted.
Lunsford had an eye-popping 19.7 average with 59 yards on three carries, caught a pass for 28 yards and had a pick 6.
Taylor finished with a 7.1 rushing average, a team-high 135 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
Leatherwood was the leading receiver with two catches and led in tackles with five, including four solos. Dawson Coker and Seth Leek had three take downs each. Leek also had two pass receptions for 25 yards.
Coach McClure remained subdued after blowing out North Georgia. With good reason.
The Falcons were a weak team that had no business sharing a field with Hayesville. But a win is a win.
“Wins are always good for a school that’s had one winning season in 15 years,” Coach McClure said.
Hayesville, 3-0, can expect more of a challenge from Lookout Valley, 2-1, when the Yellow Jackets journey to Chattanooga on Friday.
“Lookout Valley is much improved,” Coach McClure said. “They looked like they have good size. They were 2-0 before the last game when they played South Pittsburg, which always has a powerhouse team.”
Lookout Valley posted wins of 28-6 over Mount Juliet Christian Academy and 21-14 over Community before being dismantled by South Pittsbrugh, 62-0.
Hayesville 21-20-7-0 – 48
North Georgia 0-14-0-0 — 14
Hayesville scoring
Q1 – H – Michael Mauney, 31-yard run. Isaac Chandler kick.
Q1 – H – Taylor McClure, 5-yard run. Chandler kick.
Q1 – McClure, 38-yard interception return. Chandler kick.
Q2 – H – Bryan Davenport, 7-yard pass from Logan Caldwell. Chandler kick.
Q2 —Kyle Lunsford, 38-yard interception return. Chandler kick.
Q2 – H – McClure, 14-yard run. Kick wide.
Q3 — H – Avery Leatherwood, 19-yard pass from Caldwell. Chandler kick.
Hayesville rushing: Dawson DeVane 11/82; Kyle Lunsford 3/59; Taylor McClure 8/57; Michael Mauney 3/14; Tate Roberts 2/5; Seth Leek 1/4; Logan Caldwell 1/-5. Total: 29/242
Hayesville passing: Caldwell 6-of-6, 98 yards, 2 TD, 0 Int.; Roberts 2-of-3, 3 yards, 0 TD, 0 Int. Total: 8-of-9, 101 yards, 2 TD, 0 Int.
Hayesville receiving: Avery Leatherwood 2/33, 1 TD; Seth Leek 2/25; Lunsford 1/28; Mauney 1/24; Bryan Davenport 1/7; DeVane 1/0.
Hayesville tackles: Leatherwood 5; Isaac Chandler 4; Dawson Coker 3; Leek 3; Lunsford 2; Lane O’Dell 2; Mauney 2; Gage Michael 2; Roberts 2; Davenport 1; Jeremy Graves 1; McClure 1.
Honey From the Hive
• Wondering how long it’s been since a Hayesville varsity football team began the season 3-0? The answer: 2015.
• Coach McClure knew North Georgia’s football program is troubled when he saw three Falcons arrive just 20 minutes before kickoff and heard their coach yell, “You were supposed to be here an hour-and-a-half ago.” A sportswriter realized that the Falcons had issues when he encountered five players in the men’s room trying to figure out how to put on their pads 20 minutes before the game began.
• Coach McClure’s decision to play his best players sparingly was appreciated. Saturday, the North Georgia coach thanked Chad for taking the high road.
• Hard-charging Hayesville lineman Cameron Payne had tangible proof that he was a victim of holding during the second quarter, but referees ignored the fact that someone grabbed the neckline of his jersey and ripped his No. 56 down to the number 5.
•Hayesville ball boy Caden McClure does a great job of retrieving kicked footballs after extra-points, but his job was considerably tougher at North Georgia because there’s no net behind the goalposts, there are dense woods behind one endzone, and kicker Isaac Chandler absolutely creams the ball. So Caden was only 6-of-7 and the Yellow Jackets returned home minus one pigskin. Replacement cost: $80.
• Hayesville’s tenacious linebacker Seth McCaslin, who was injured against Georgia Force, is expected to return to the lineup.
• Asher Brown, perhaps the best dressed Yellow Jacket, will be sidelined at least two more weeks.
• Twenty-nine years ago Friday, quarterback Sean Rumfelt scored two touchdowns, Jason Shook gained 99 yards and Brian Trout added 95 as Hayesville beat Towns County, 27-6.
dressed Yellow Jacket, will be sidelined at least two more weeks.
• Twenty-nine years ago Friday, quarterback Sean Rumfelt scored two touchdowns, Jason Shook gained 99 yards and Brian Trout added 95 as Hayesville beat Towns County, 27-6.