Yellow Jackets Get First Win of Season, Hold Off Copper Basin 14-8

By Travis Dockery

The Mountain Buzz

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — On a warm Friday night at home, the Hayesville Yellow Jackets football team delivered its first victory of the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4, defeating the Copper Basin Cougars of Copper Basin, Tenn., 14-8.

Kickoff temperature was 82 degrees for Hayesville’s first home game of the year. The stands were well filled, and the student section did its part, packing in to cheer on the black and Vegas Gold.

Hayesville struck first with 6:48 remaining in the opening quarter. Quarterback Lance Coker hit Crow Collins on a 71-yard touchdown pass. The extra point from the foot of Josue Sales was good, and the Jackets led 7-0.

Collins struck again late in the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-4 with 6:45 left before halftime, Coker found Collins for a 44-yard scoring strike. Sales's PAT was good, pushing the lead to 14-0 at the break.

Copper Basin broke through for their first points of the night in the third quarter. The Cougars scored with 3:16 remaining and converted the two-point try to cut the deficit to 14-8.

That was the final score of the night. The fourth quarter turned into a defensive struggle, with neither team able to find the end zone as Hayesville closed out the win.

"We are a young team, but we are seeing improvements" said head coach Chad McClure after the win. "Obviously that's what we want to see as a coaching staff. We just have to keep working."

The Yellow Jackets improve to 1-2 with their first victory of the season.

Hayesville is off next week. The Jackets return home Friday, Sept. 18, to host Robbinsville in their first Smoky Mountain Conference game of the year. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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