Yellow Jackets Roll Over Madison

(Photo by Brooke Graves) Taylor McClure gets things going in a positive direction with the first touchdown of the game.

The Hayesville Yellow Jackets hit the road for week two of the varsity football schedule. After a blowout week 1 win over rival Towns County, the Yellow Jackets faced off with Madison High School on the campus of Mars Hill University. Once again, Hayesville looked dominant as they crushed Madison 55-20.

Senior running back Taylor McClure was the first to put points on the board when he crossed the goal line for a Jacket touchdown with 2:56 left in the first quarter. Kicker Isaac Chandler came on for the PAT and, as is the norm, sent the ball through the uprights to give Hayesville a 7-0 lead.

As the second quarter opened, Tre Graves eluded Madison's defense for another touchdown for Hayesville. Chandler nailed the PAT and the Yellow Jackets found themselves in possession of a 14-0 lead.

With 7:30 left in the half, coach Chad McClure once again called on the senior kicker. This time for a field goal which Chandler nailed to increase the lead to 17-0.

(Photo by Brooke Graves) Ethan McGuffee, N0.64, and a swarm of Yellow Jackets shut down the Patriots' offense.

McClure kept the scoring bonanza going with a 33-yard touchdown that ignited Jacket Nation. Chandler's third PAT of the night was good and Hayesville extended their lead to 24-0 with 3:30 left to play in the second quarter.

Some thought that would be the final score of the half, but they were wrong. With one minute on the clock, Tate Roberts got in on the action and waltzed into the end zone to up the lead to 30-0. Chandler continued to be "Mr. Automatic" and nailed the PAT to put the Jackets up 31-0 going into halftime.

In the third quarter, Hayesville scored yet again, but Madison quickly answered with their first score of the night. With 5:31 left in the quarter, the Jackets led 38-7.

After another successful field goal, Hayesville's defense got in on the fun when Michael Mauney snagged an interception for a pick 6. The PAT was good, giving the Jackets a commanding 48-7 lead.

Madison managed to find the end zone once again at the 6:20 mark of the fourth quarter, making the score 48-14 in favor of Hayesville. That score didn't last long and with 2:52 left to play, Colton Bruggers gave Jacket fans another reason to celebrate as he crossed the goal line. Chandler's leg showed no fatigue and he sent the PAT sailing, growing the lead to 55-14.

Credit to Madison who played until the final whistle. The Patriots scored a touchdown with 8 seconds on the clock, but it was too-little-too-late and the Jackets left the field celebrating a statement 55-20 victory.

The Jackets will be on the road again Friday, Sept. 1 to take on Georgia Force. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.