Wildcats Unable to Tame the Mustangs

SYLVA, N.C. — The Smoky Mountain Mustangs delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Andrews Wildcats 44-7 in a non-conference high school football game on Friday, Aug. 29, at Smoky Mountain High School.

The Mustangs (Sylva, N.C.) set the tone early, scoring 24 points in the first quarter alone and adding 14 more in the second to lead 38-0 at halftime. Key plays included a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Hunter Cole and two rushing touchdowns by Rylee Smith, who also contributed a long run to set up a score. Smoky Mountain's ground game was relentless, with Aidan Foxworth and Josiah Ashe each adding long runs to advance the Mustangs deep into Andrews' territory.

Smoky Mountain continued their dominance in the third quarter, with Jackson Cooper scoring a 2-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 44-0. The Wildcats (Andrews, N.C.) struggled offensively, managing only one scoring drive in the fourth quarter when a 2-yard passing touchdown from No. 9 to No. 17, followed by a successful point-after attempt by No. 13, accounted for their lone points.

Defensively, the Mustangs were equally impressive. Josiah Ashe recorded a tackle for loss, Jackson Cooper notched a sack, and Zeke Boud added another sack late in the game. A blocked punt by Smoky Mountain in the second quarter further stifled Andrews' momentum.

The Mustangs' victory improves their record in the non-conference matchup, while Andrews looks to regroup after the loss when they host Mitchell on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.