Towns County's Ground Game Too Much for Yellow Jackets

(Mountain Buzz Photo)

A pair of Indian defenders stop Hayesville quarterback Lance Coker in his tracks as he tries to ignite the Yellow Jacket offense.

Travis Dockery

Sports Writer

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Towns County opened the season with a dominant 61-20 victory over Hayesville in the Border Battle on Friday night. The Indians scored early and often, building a 41-12 halftime lead and never looking back in the non-conference matchup at Towns County High School. It was the season opener for both teams.

Ethan Beechum fielded the opening kickoff for the Yellow Jackets and returned it into Towns County territory before being tackled at the 48-yard line. Hayesville could not convert the strong field position into points. Towns County struck first with a rushing touchdown at the 9:25 mark of the first quarter. The PAT failed, making it 6-0. The Indians found the end zone again with 6:36 left in the quarter, this time converting the extra point for a 13-0 lead. Hayesville answered when quarterback Lance Coker connected with receiver Crow Collins for a touchdown. The PAT was blocked, leaving the score 13-6 with 4:40 remaining in the first.

Towns County scored once more before the quarter ended, pushing the lead to 20-6 with 3:13 left. The Indians continued their ground assault on the first play of the second quarter, going 57 yards for a touchdown and a 27-6 advantage with 11:47 left in the half.

Another Towns County score with 5:05 remaining made it 34-6. Hayesville responded with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Coker to Collins with 4:21 left before intermission. The PAT was no good, and the Yellow Jackets trailed 34-12. Hayesville recovered the ensuing onside kick but stalled on the subsequent drive. Towns County punched in another touchdown from the 2-yard line just before the half, making the score 41-12 with 32.7 seconds remaining in the half.

Hayesville recovered another onside kick to open the third quarter and capitalized with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Cocker to Ephraim Jones. The two-point conversion succeeded, cutting the deficit to 41-20 with 9:47 left in the period.

Towns County scored again at the 3:39 mark of the third quarter. The PAT failed, making it 47-20. The Indians added a final touchdown with 4:25 remaining in the game to reach the 61-20 final.

Hayesville will look to rebound next Friday, Aug. 28, when the Yellow Jackets travel to face Enka in another non-conference contest. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.