Sports

(Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress) Sylvan Schuette battles the track and the setting sun during a practice session. Schuette’s fifth place finish was the best for Tri County regulars in the Crate feature.

(Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress) Sylvan Schuette battles the track and the setting sun during a practice session. Schuette’s fifth place finish was the best for Tri County regulars in the Crate feature.

Almost 100 cars open racing season

Travis Dockery
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Tri County Racetrack in Brasstown opened the facility’s 52nd season Friday, April 9. With the American All Star Pro Late Model Series drivers combining with the track’s weekly stars, the pit area was full with more than 90 cars ready to hit the clay oval.
(Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress) Lady Jacket second baseman Lila Payne snags a grounder and fires to first for an out.

(Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress) Lady Jacket second baseman Lila Payne snags a grounder and fires to first for an out.

Jackets hang tough

News Staff
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Hayesville High School’s softball team took their home field Tuesday, April 6 to face the Lady Knights of Robbinsville. The visitors entered the match-up ranked 13th in the state according to MaxPreps. Although the Lady Jackets went toe-to-toe with the Lady Knights until the fifth inning.
(Kelli Graves • Clay County Progress) The Yellow Jackets take the field for the final time to end the special spring season.

(Kelli Graves • Clay County Progress) The Yellow Jackets take the field for the final time to end the special spring season.

Hayesville exorcises the Devils

Travis Dockery
Thursday, April 15, 2021
To say a win over Swain County to end the season was big for the Yellow Jackets would be a huge understatement. For more than a decade, the Maroon Devils from Bryson City have dominated Hayesville’s varsity football team.

Western Carolina Announces Football Coaching Change

News Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021
 Western Carolina University Director of Athletics Alex Gary announced Friday a leadership change for Catamount football. Mark Speir will not be returning as head coach.  “After a thorough evaluation of the program, I feel that it is time we move in a different direction,” said Gary.

Western Carolina, Wofford Football Game Canceled

News Staff
Monday, April 5, 2021
Western Carolina’s spring football season finale against the Wofford Terriers (1-4) scheduled for Saturday, April 10 has been canceled as Wofford announced Monday that it is opting out of the remainder of the 2021 spring FCS football season.
(Scot McKie • Cherokee One One Feather) Freshman Asher Brown tries to pull free from a diving would-be tackler.

(Scot McKie • Cherokee One One Feather) Freshman Asher Brown tries to pull free from a diving would-be tackler.

Braves too tough for Jackets

News Staff
Thursday, April 1, 2021
On Friday, March 26, the Yellow Jacket football team travelled to Cherokee looking for their first win of the season. After a competitive first half, the Braves managed to pull away and handed Hayesville its fifth loss of the year by the final of 42-17.
Photo by yhcathletics.com

Photo by yhcathletics.com

Mountain Lions move up two positions to No. 11 in latest NFCA poll

News Staff
Thursday, April 1, 2021
The Young Harris College softball team moved up two positions to No. 11 in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division II Coaches Poll. The Mountain Lions, who are 20-5 overall and to 8-0 in the Peach Belt Conference, returns to action Saturday (April 3) when they host No.
The 2020-21 HMS softball team consists of, first row, from left, Madison Graves, Raylyn Taylor, Madalynn Murray, Kaydence Morrow, Breanna Abrams and Callie Long. Second row, head coach Emily Gerdes, Bryleigh Krieger, Jasmine Brooks, Ava Moore, Mallory Peck, Addison Sorrells, Briley Clampitt, assistant coach Marissa Peck and assistant coach Jessica Wilson.

The 2020-21 HMS softball team consists of, first row, from left, Madison Graves, Raylyn Taylor, Madalynn Murray, Kaydence Morrow, Breanna Abrams and Callie Long. Second row, head coach Emily Gerdes, Bryleigh Krieger, Jasmine Brooks, Ava Moore, Mallory Peck, Addison Sorrells, Briley Clampitt, assistant coach Marissa Peck and assistant coach Jessica Wilson.

Lady Jackets split doubleheader

News Staff
Thursday, March 25, 2021
The Hayesville Middle School Lady Jackets lost the first game of a double header against Copper Basin 13-0. The Jackets struggled defensively committing 7 errors in the field, while only collecting 4 hits at the plate. Mallory Peck struck out seven over five innings while giving up 3 earned runs.
(Kelli Graves • Clay County Progress) Kyle Lunsford goes for and recovers a loose ball after a Wildcat fumble.

(Kelli Graves • Clay County Progress) Kyle Lunsford goes for and recovers a loose ball after a Wildcat fumble.

Jackets unsuccessful in Andrews

News Staff
Thursday, March 25, 2021
The Yellow Jackets swarmed into Andrews Friday, March 19 for a showdown on the gridiron. It was apparent early that the Wildcats had no intention of allowing Hayesville to return home with a victory.  In less than two minutes after kickoff, Andrews had found the end zone to take a 6-0 lead.
(Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress) Jayden Moore applies the tag to stop a Lady Wildcat from reaching second base.

(Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress) Jayden Moore applies the tag to stop a Lady Wildcat from reaching second base.

Softball season gets underway

News Staff
Thursday, March 25, 2021
For the first time in nearly two years the varsity Lady Yellow Jacket softball team took to their field to face a competitor. Hayesville opened the much anticipated season with a doubleheader against Andrews.