Jackets heartbroken at home

Trey Graves closes in on the goal line with a pair of Devils hanging off of him.

The JV Yellow Jacket football team took to their home field on Thursday, Sept.15 to face Smoky Mountain Conference foe Swain County. Hayesville was looking to get back into the win column after suffering a 2-point loss to Murphy. An emotional game that took three overtime sessions to determine a winner saw Swain claim the 26-20 victory.

Hayesville played a near perfect first quarter. The Jackets got on the board first when running back Trey Graves pounded in a touchdown at the 7:42 mark. Later in the first, quarterback Peyton McGaha crossed the goal line for another score. A successful 2-point conversion put Hayesville up 14-0.

The Devils got on the board with 8:30 left in the second quarter. A touchdown and 2-point conversion made the score 14-8 in Hayesville's favor. That was the score when the horn sounded to signal halftime.

In the third quarter, nothing changed as the teams exchanged possessions. Hayesville did have a field goal attempt, but it was unfortunately wide of the fork. Even though the Jackets' offense struggled to find the success from the first quarter, Hayesville's defense did a good job of containing the Devils. That changed at the end of the fourth when Swain put together a drive which was capped off with touchdown with 33.7 seconds left to play. The Jackets stopped the 2-point conversion so the two teams entered overtime tied 14-14.

Overtime rules called for each team to get a chance to score, starting from the 10-yard line. With wild cheering from the stands, Hayesville won the coin toss and capitalized when McGaha scampered in for the touchdown. Swain stopped the 2-point conversion, but Hayesville led 20-16. Swain answered with a touchdown of their own to tie the score at 20-20 but couldn't connect for a 2-point conversion so the game went to a second overtime.

Neither team was able to score in that second session, so the teams locked up in overtime session number three. Hayesville had the ball first, but fumbled which ended their attempt. It was Swain's turn and the Devils capitalized, scoring a touchdown and winning the game 26-20.

The Jackets will again be at home on Thursday, Sept. 22 when they host Cherokee at 6 p.m.