Preview: Hayesville vs. Mt. Airy

After an emotional 1-point win over Christ the King Catholic School in round 2 of the NCHSAA state playoff tournament, the Hayesville Yellow Jackets are set to square off with Mt. Airy on Friday, Nov.18.

The Granite Bears are a large obstacle in Hayesville's path to a potential state title. Mt. Airy enters the match up with an 11-1 record and seeded at No. 4 in the tournament. Their more than 50 points per game average has also given the Bears a 1A ranking of third according to MaxPreps.

While Hayesville, ranked at No.12, are viewed as underdogs, the Jackets do outperform Mt. Airy in one category. Averaging more than 100 passing yards per game, Hayesville's airborne attack could be the key to an upset.

The black and Vegas gold brigade can't simply rely on offense as the defense will have to stop the Bears on the ground. Tyler Mason is averaging nearly 128 rushing yards per game for Mt. Airy with 1531 total rushing yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground.

It's hard to compare teams who play in different conferences, but Hayesville and Mt. Airy do have a common opponent. On October 28, the Bears took down Alleghany with a 55-0 blowout win. Hayesville faced Alleghany in round one of the playoffs and came away with a 37-22 victory.

Fans who can't make it to the game and have a NFHS subscription can watch it live at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/.../mount-airy.../gam1aca53a243

Those with no subscription can hear the audio broadcast at wpaq740.com

389 Country will be posting game updates on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/389Country

Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. Go Jackets!