Young Yellow Jackets Begin Rebuilding Season Under McClure

(Mountain Buzz photo by Travis Dockery)

Front row (from left): Daemien Soto, EJ Hughes, Crow Collins, Carson Finn, Hanna Brett, Payton Cordell, Dustin Lockaby, Ethan Beechum, Lance Coker, Ephraim Jones, Johan Webb, Jaxson Caruso, Elijah Eller. Second row from left: CJ Finn, Jayden Clark, Carolo Decosta, Aaron Wimpey, Wayne Fullmer, Karson Hughes, Brock Garrett, Mason Finn, Cale Cothren, Jake Frentz, Caleb Allen, Cole Wesson. Not pictured: Donivin Soto, Daxon Bruggers, Brady Gerdes, Josue Salas, Jayden Clark, Matt Gorham, AJ Austin, Feliz Chevalier.

Travis Dockery

Sports Writer

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Hayesville High School head football coach Chad McClure is looking ahead to a rebuilding season with a young Yellow Jackets roster as practice gets underway. Last year, Hayesville finished 7-5 overall, 3-3 in the Smoky Mountain Conference, and earned a playoff win.

McClure said this year’s varsity squad looks different. Hayesville has 32 players on the roster, with about 60 percent of them sophomores and only a handful of athletes carrying prior varsity experience. “This year we are a very, very young team,” McClure said. “The term ‘rebuilding’ gets used a lot, but I feel like that fits for us. We might be young, but I’m looking forward to seeing how these guys grow. They’ve done great so far by putting in the work, and we’ve got a lot of room to grow.”

Having a young team is especially tough in the Smoky Mountain Conference, which often has several teams making playoff runs. McClure noted that most of his players have already faced conference opponents at lower levels.

“Most people in this state know the Smoky Mountain Conference has the tradition and that it’s always tough,” he said. “But these kids have played against those kids, most of them. It’s fun to have a change and see what you’ve got and try to put the puzzle together. And that’s what we’re trying to do right now.”

McClure expects Murphy to be the preseason favorite, with Robbinsville and Swain also among the stronger programs. He said Cherokee has a new coach and is generating excitement, while Andrews and other programs continue to build.

With several contributors from last season gone, McClure said the coaching staff is challenging returning players with varsity experience to step into leadership roles. He specifically mentioned Lance Coker, brothers Donivin and Daemien Soto, and Wayne Fulmer as players the staff is looking to for leadership by example.

Coker, a senior, will line up as the Yellow Jackets’ quarterback tasked with leading the offense. Donivin Soto, a junior, will be a target at wide receiver, while his brother, senior Daemien Soto, will come out of the backfield as a running back. Fulmer will help both the offensive and defensive lines hold back opponents.

As the season approaches, McClure’s message to supporters centered on effort and development. “Fans will see a team out there that competes and plays hard, and I think you’re going to see a lot of growth,” he said. “I’m excited to see how this thing comes together. It’s going to be fun and it’s going to be challenging, but we’re expecting good things out of this young group.”

Early season non-conference games will give the young team a chance to improve before hitting the minefield that is the SMC.

The Yellow Jackets open the season Friday, Aug. 21, with the traditional “Border War” game against their rivals from across Lake Chatuge, the Towns County Indians. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Hiawassee, Ga.