By Travis Dockery
Sports Editor
Jacket Nation came out to Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium for the final time this season on Friday, Oct. 22 to watch their beloved Yellow Jacket football team face the Braves of Cherokee. While it may have caused strain on their nervous systems, fans got their money’s worth as they saw Hayesville rally late to sting the Braves 36-30.
Things got off to a rocky start as a penalty called against the Jackets early on in the first quarter moved Cherokee deep into their red zone. The Braves capitalized on the opportunity with a quick touchdown along with a successful 2-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead. Hayesville then put together a long, multiple play drive down the field and appeared to be on their way to a touchdown. With receivers in the end zone, Yellow Jacket quarterback Logan Caldwell, while on the move, fired a pass towards a receiver that was picked off by a Brave defender. The quarter ended with Cherokee holding on to their 8-point lead.
Fortunately for the hometown fans, quarter two belonged to Hayesville. The Jackets got on the board with Caldwell hit Kyle Lunsford in the right side of the end zone for the score. By the time the halftime horn sounded, Hayesville had put two touchdowns, an extra point and a 2-point conversion on the board to take a 15-8 lead into the locker room.
Cherokee came roaring back in the second half. The defense that was so successful for the Jackets in the second quarter, struggled in the third. The Braves, thanks to executions of plays and taking advantage of Hayesville errors, added 22 points to their total in the third stanza. The Jackets were able to stay withing striking distance, thanks to a Jake McTaggart touchdown.
Trailing 30-22, Hayesville hit their home turf for the final time this season in hopes of pulling off a comeback. The Braves moved the ball quickly up the field and were just feet away from adding yet another touchdown when Cherokee’s ball carrier lost control of the ball and dropped it. Hayesville’s Lane O’dell quickly covered it up for a fumble recovery and a touch back to give the Yellow Jacket offense another chance.
Now in possession of the ball, the Jackets mixed up passes, hand-offs and quarterback keepers to move the ball towards the goal line and capped it off with a touchdown when Caldwell found McTaggart in the corner of the end zone. A failed 2-point conversion made the score 30-28 in favor of the Braves as Hayesville prepared to kickoff.
To the surprise of no one, coach Chad McClure called for an onside kick which was recovered by Hayesville’s Micheal Mauney, giving the Jackets a chance to take the lead. Like soldiers with a purpose, the Yellow Jackets marched directly down the field with the clock ticking away. Lined up at the goal line, Hayesville called for a direct snap to McTaggart who pounded his way into the end zone for the score. Caldwell then hit Taylor McClure in the end zone for a 2-point conversion which put Hayesville in control 36-30.
With time on the clock and knowing Cherokee’s offense had the capability to score quickly, the Yellow Jacket defense had the hopes of Jacket Nation squarely on their shoulders. The Braves were able to find some offensive success, but with time quickly running out, Cherokee was forced to start chunking deep passes. On one such passing play, the ball floated and allowed a swarm of Yellow Jackets to gather under it and McClure jumped to snag the interception and seal the win 36-30 victory for Hayesville.
It was the first Smoky Mountain Conference win of the year for the Jackets and their third overall. Caldwell ended the night 25-38 with two passing touchdowns and one rushing score. McTaggart had a huge night with three touchdowns and 165 total yards. McClure led the team on the ground with 15 carries for 59 yards. Lunsford led the team with six solo tackles and seven overall.
“It was a great win against a solid team,” said coach McClure. “I love my team. They never gave up and played with heart. Proud is an understatement.”
The Jackets look to end their season with a two-game winning streak as they head to Big Oaks Stadium in Robbinsville Friday, Oct. 29 to take on the Black Knights. Kickoff for the season finale is set for 7:30 p.m.