Travis Dockery
389 Country
On Friday, Aug. 23, the varsity Hayesville Yellow Jacket football team started got their season started with a home game against Asheville School. A late edition to Hayesville's schedule, the Blues brought size and speed to test the Jackets. The home team got off to a strong start, but couldn't keep the visitors at bay.
Hayesville received the opening kick and pounded the ground to pick up first downs and drive down the field. Dawson DeVane and Tre Graves took turns muscling their way towards the end zone until the 5:04 mark of the first quarter when Graves battled in for a 6-yard score. The PAT from Mason Margo was good, giving the Jackets a 7-0 lead.
It didn't take long for Asheville to answer. The Blues used an explosive 66-yard play to find the end zone. Their PAT was good, tying the game at 7-7.
With 33.6 seconds left in the opening stanza, Asheville connected with a 27-yard pass for their second touchdown of the game. The PAT was good and the visitors led 14-7.
In the second quarter, just when the Jackets seemed to be gaining momentum, an unfortunate fumble once again gave Asheville control of the ball. With 6:33 left in the half, the Blues capitalized with another touchdown and PAT to increase their lead to 21-7. An exchange of possessions took the game to halftime with no additional scoring.
The Jackets kicked off to start the third quarter and thanks to a perfectly executed onside kick, Hayesvile fielded the ball and took control on Asheville's 40 yard line. Unfortunately, Hayesville couldn't capitalize and the Blues took their next possession all the way in for another touchdown. With 9:50 left in the quarter, Asheville led 28-7.
It didn't take long for the Blues to strike again as the visitors found the end zone again with just over 7 minutes left in the quarter to extend the lead to 35-7. Refusing to quit, the Jacket offense went back to the ground and pound technique, to drive deep into the red zone as the third quarter drew to a close.
To open the fourth, Hayesville went for it on 4th and 5 from the 5 yard line, but was unable to convert. The visitors quickly flipped the field and with 11:12 left in the game, broke free with a touchdown run. The PAT was good, making the score 42-7 in favor of the Blues.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Jackets fumbled the catch and Asheville recovered on the 4-yard line of Hayesville. With their first snap of the possession, the Blues skirted around the edge and into the end zone. The PAT was a good, making the score 49-7, the eventual final.
Hayesville will hit the road Friday, September 6 for a bonus non-conference game against Smoky Mountain Conference for Andrews. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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