Hayesville Rallies to Defeat Cherokee 37-28 in Conference Clash

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Hayesville High School varsity football team secured a 37-28 victory over Cherokee in a home Smoky Mountain Conference game on Friday, Oct. 3, showcasing a dominant rushing attack and a resilient fourth-quarter performance to clinch the win.

Hayesville (25-26) leaned heavily on its ground game, amassing 297 rushing yards on 45 carries, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. Senior Tre Graves led the charge, churning out 168 yards on 23 carries, including a 53-yard touchdown run that highlighted his explosive playmaking. Junior Kaden Ledford contributed 85 yards on 13 carries, while senior quarterback Peyton McGaha added 44 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

In the passing game, McGaha was efficient, completing 6 of 9 passes for 44 yards and two touchdowns, both to senior Ben Bethel, who caught three passes for 11 yards. Junior Daemien Soto added a 22-yard reception, the longest of the night for Hayesville’s passing attack. The team’s five total touchdowns—three rushing and two passing—powered the offense, with McGaha and Bethel each accounting for 14 points, including conversions, and Graves adding eight.

Defensively, Hayesville recorded 47 total tackles, with seniors Will Brown and Patrick Denton each tallying seven. Brown led with two tackles for loss, while Bethel caused a fumble, and Denton recovered one, helping to disrupt Cherokee’s rhythm. The Yellow Jackets also showed discipline, committing only six penalties for 58 yards compared to Cherokee’s 14 penalties for 141 yards.

The game was tight through three quarters, with Hayesville leading 21-28 entering the final period. A 16-point fourth-quarter surge, including a touchdown and two-point conversions from McGaha, Bethel, and Graves, sealed the victory. Sophomore Josue Salas contributed a point-after kick and handled all seven of Hayesville’s kickoffs, one of which was a touchback.

Hayesville’s 52 total plays and 14 first downs edged out Cherokee’s 48 plays and 12 first downs, reflecting the team’s balanced attack and ability to sustain drives. The win underscores Hayesville’s reliance on a powerful rushing game and timely defensive stops, setting the stage for their next conference matchup at home against Swain County on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.