By Leeanna Alberta
Sports Writer
Hayesville JV Jackets took a big win 22-6 win their game against the Andrews Wildcats Thursday, Oct. 3. The coaches agreed it had been a while since the boys had played but they came out ready to win. Their intensity was strong as well as their focus.
Crow Collins, Rylan Graves, Kabe Shaheen and Donovin Soto were the top scorers responsible for putting all the points on the board and they received major defensive help from Jonathan Godinez-Diaz, E.J. Mapasu, C.J. Finn and Caden McClure.
“I was incredibly proud of the way our boys played against Andrews,” said Coach Blake McClure. "They jumped out ahead early and never let our foot off the gas.”
There are no easy wins in the Smoky Mountain Conference, so the Jackets had something to be proud of.
The JVs played another round Monday, Oct. 7 against Robbinsville.
The Jackets had a well-played game against the Black Knights in their last game of the season, but come up short of the win.
Robbinsville as usual is an incredibly tough opponent especially after the Jackets had to play two games in four days. Hayesville scored first and held the score 6-6 for a while. The Knights jumped ahead with a score of 14-6 and continued to add them up, winning 30-6.
McClure says “the season ended on a high note” with running back Kabe Shaheen punching a touchdown in with under a minute left.
The coaches say they are incredibly proud of the way the team has progressed throughout the season while developing life skills that will help them for the rest of their lives. They fought to the very end.