The Hayesville Yellow Jackets traveled south to take on the defending homeschool national champions, Georgia Force. It was a game in which either team was capable to win the game and the pregame picks were fairly split among the press. The Yellow Jackets though had incredibly strong execution offensively and defensively throughout the game. Georgia Force dominated in special teams though, including a touchdown kick return to start the second half. Hayesville’s Logan Caldwell had four interceptions on defense and passed for 238 yards to lead the Yellow Jackets to a 28-21 victory.
Hayesville received the opening kick and had a methodical scoring drive. It was well-balanced running and passing on the drive. Two big completions to Kyle Lunsford, a big run by Jake Mctaggart, finished off with a Mctaggart touchdown run gave Hayesville the early 7-0 lead. Mctaggart at running back was a new wrinkle in the offense but was very effective throughout the game. Georgia Force’s first pass attempt of the game was picked off by Logan Caldwell.
Hayesville capitalized on the mistake with another great scoring drive. The drive was due in large to a great screenplay where Taylor McClure got some great blocking resulting in a 52-yard reception. The drive was finished off by a great read option keeper by Caldwell to put Hayesville up 14-0. On the first play of Georgia Forces drive the Caldwell intercepted another pass. Hayesville would execute another good drive getting into Force territory as the quarter came to a close.
A great triple option play to start the quarter got Hayesville inside the ten after Mctaggart took the pitch for a big gain. Mctaggart followed it up with a short touchdown reception two plays later to extend the lead to 21-0. A long drive by Georgia force got them into Hayesville territory but they missed the opportunity for points when they missed a field goal. Hayesville would have their drive of the game that didnt end in a score. Punting the ball back to the Force. A fantastic punt return would give the Force the ball inside Hayesvilles 20-yard line. They would capitlize on the great field position with a touchdown to take the score to Hayesville 21 Force 7 going into halftime.
Georgia Force would return the second half kick off for a touchdown, vaulting themselves right back into the game. Hayesville would go three and out on their next drive giving it back to the force with a chance to tie it up. Hayesvilles defense would give up a few first downs but stand strong and force a third and long from their own 40-yard line. The Force would try a long pass route but for the fourth time of the night Logan Caldwell would jump the route and intercept the pass. Hayesville would put together another great drive, this time focused on the run. They would get inside the Force ten yard line as the quarter closed, with Hayesville leading 21-14.
The first play of the fourth quarter was a strong run with the Hayesville offensive line getting a great push to allow Taylor McClure to score. Georgia Force would respond though down 28-14, putting together a long drive. Finishing the drive off with a passing score to make it a one possession game 28-21. Hayesville would punt the ball back to the force on their next drive. With the opportunity to tie the game Hayesvilles defense tightened the screws and shut the down the force in just three plays. They punted the ball back and wouldnt get their offense back on the field again. Hayesville using all run plays would pick up two crucial first downs including a fourth down pickup. This allowed them to milk the clock and finish off the game winning 28-21.
Logan Caldwell: 4 interceptions on defense, 13-23 passing for 238 yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD
Jake Mctaggart: 11 rushes 91 yards 1 TD, 5 receptions 53 yards 1 TD
Taylor McClure: 17 rushes for 71 yards 1 TD, 2 receptions 82 yards, 9 tackles on defense
Kyle Lunsford: 5 receptions for 92 yards
Hayesville next plays on Friday, October 1st hosting Andrews. The game is the TeamFYNSports WNC Game of the Week. It will be live on fyntv.com and coverage wi
ll start with the pregame show at 6:45 PM. Make sure to tune into fyntv.com for the WNC Friday Night Pressbox show to see the Hayesville at Georgia Force preview. To get updates or see how the Yellow Jackets have done tune in to all the latest FYN sports coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://claync.fetchyournews.com/category/teamfynsports
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