By Gary Corsair
Sports Writer
Last week’s scrimmage proved that Hayesville can play competitive football without Taylor McClure.
With that said, players, coaches and fans are surely thrilled No. 20 will suit up for the season-opener this Friday night.
McClure, a talented running back/linebacker, is one of three All-Conference returnees expected to lead the Yellow Jackets in their season-opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday night when Towns County visits Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium.
Strep throat forced McClure to miss the preseason scrimmage with Franklin, but his misfortune could pay big dividends tonight — and beyond.
“We know what McClure can do. Not having him out there gave some of the other kids some reps,” Hayesville head-coach Chad McClure said.
What Taylor “can do” is, well, everything. The hard-working sophomore led Hayesville in rushing yardage and tackles made last year, but his absence showed that the Yellow Jackets have numerous ways to sting.
“I thought we competed well. Our kids played hard,” Coach McClure remarked.
Nimble quarterback Logan Caldwell, who crippled opponents with his fleet feet and armor arm, appeared to be in midseason form with six completions for 81 yards, two touchdown flings and more than five yards per carry.
Avery Leatherwood scored both TDs, the second a leaping catch in the rear corner of the end-zone that required concentration, athleticism and heavenly hands.
The 35-yard touchdown strike was the first “wow, did you see that?” moment of the season, not only because Leatherwood caught what appeared to be an uncatchable pass, but because Caldwell unleashed a bullet going to his left on the run with a trio of Franklin defenders in hot pursuit.
“Avery’s going to be a great target,” Coach McClure remarked. “And Logan’s tough to bring down. He’s great at extending plays.”
Yes, Caldwell looks like a lock to repeat at as an All-Conference selection. The passing game that served Hayesville so well last season appears ready for prime time.
Hayesville just might sport an equally potent ground game. The backfield of Tyler Lunsford, Dawson DeVane and Caldwell rushed for 92 yards on 21 carries against Franklin. Forty-two of those yards were gains by Lunsford, the best tight-end in the Smoky Mountain Conference last year. Tyler stepped off 42 yards and three runs of five or more yards. Switching the versatile senior to fullback appears to be a stroke of genius. He also had four tackles.
DeVane, starting in place of Taylor, also looked comfortable in the backfield. He had two runs of five yards or more, provided excellent blocking. On defense, Dawson made a team-high seven tackles. “DeVane’s always going to give you everything he’s got,” Coach McClure stated.
DeVane shared the honor with Seth Leek, who roamed the field like a hyperactive night watchman. “We felt like Seth really did well defensively,” Coach McClure said. “So did Asher Brown.”
Hayesville’s fourth-year coach also praised Lane O’Dell and Jeremy Graves for solid play on the line, which needs to improve if the Yellow Jackets are to break .500 for the first time since 2019. Caldwell was repeatedly chased out of the pocket. Some blocking assignments were missed. That’s to be expected in preseason.
There’s work to be done on defense. Franklin rushed for 151 yards on 28 carries and completed seven passes for 103 yards. Still, Coach McClure was encouraged. “Defensively, I thought we tackled better than we did at this point last year.”
Hayesville is clearly a work in progress. “Offensively we have a lot of weapons. I’m confident we can move the ball. The line is improving and we have to take care of the ball,” Coach McClure said.
The opening game against Towns County, which graduated four players from last year’s 4-6 team, should be a good measuring stick of how far the Yellow Jackets need to go.
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