By Gary Corsair
Staff Writer
Hayesville had a mountain of motivation entering its final JV football game of the season.
Unfortunately for the young Yellow Jackets, heart and soul weren’t enough to overcome the size, speed and experience of Robbinsville.
“It was great to see the season unfold for a bunch of kids who got whipped as seventh and eighth-graders whenever they played. I remember we went to Robbinsville and got beat 70-0. Our kids definitely remembered that while working out,” Hayesville Coach Brett Graves said.
This time, Hayesville only lost 20-6.
The Yellow Jackets (4-3) would have upset the Black Knights (4-3) with a break or two.
Instead, Robbinsville broke the visitors with an oversized line, slippery scatback Adair Panama, and bruising fullback Isiac Collins.
Robbinsville Coach Wren Millsaps was pretty good too. Especially on the opening play, when the Black Knights pulled an onside kick.
“Yeah, that caught us by surprise,” Coach Graves admitted. “With Robbinsville you have to expect anything. You can’t let them surprise you.”
The 19-yard kickoff led to Panama’s 9-yard touchdown four plays later.
“They hit us right in the mouth,” Coach Graves remarked.
Hayesville regrouped nicely. A drive sparked by Tre Graves’ 18-yard burst breached Robbinsville territory, but an illegal block erased Peyton McGaha’s 8-yard carry on third-and-8. Two plays later, Ben Bethel was stopped just shy of the stick after catching a 5-yard-yard pass from McGaha on fourth down.
Robbinsville promptly marched to its second touchdown.
Down 14-0, Hayesville threw a punch of its own on the Black Knights’ kickoff. Tre Graves fielded the ball at the 33 and rocketed up field, all the way to Robbinsville’s 23 before being brought down.
Four plays later, on fourth-and-2 at the 15, Tre zipped around right end to give Hayesville first-and-goal.
Colton Bruggers then busted into the end zone from 8 yards out to cut the lead to 14-6. The two-point conversion failed, but the Yellow Jackets had renewed hope.
Robbinsville quickly shut the door on Uncle Mo(mentum). Collins’ 26-yard kickoff return set the table for a 7-yard scoring drive that culminated with Collins’ 5-yard touchdown.
Following the ensuing kickoff, Hayesville gained just 3 yards in 4 plays and punted.
Incredibly, the punt turned into a 25-yard gain when Tre Graves leveled the Black Knight who attempted to return the ball, which popped loose, and was gobbled up by Will Brown.
The Yellow Jackets could get no closer than 14 yards out. The half ended when McGaha was sacked.
In the third quarter, both teams had decent drives that fizzled on unsuccessful fourth downs before Robbinsville iced the game with an impressive drive the culminated with Tillman Adams scoring from 4 yards out to give the Black Knights a 26-6 cushion early in the fourth quarter.
Ballgame. Nobody scores three touchdowns on Robbinsville in 6 minutes under the big oaks.
Despite the disappointing loss, Coach Graves was upbeat.
“They’re going to be special,” Coach Graves stated. “I just want to thank Coach Chad McClure and the whole varsity staff, as well as the parents, and Principals Missy Rich and Stacey Overlin.”