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Shuler leads Maroon Devils to win over Smoky Mountain
Casey Shuler scored all three touchdowns – two on offense and one on defense – leading Swain to a 19-0 victory over Smoky Mountain last Friday at Swain Memorial Stadium/Boyce Deitz Field.
The Mustangs (0-2) moved the ball much better than they did the previous week against Hendersonville. However, not even 16 first downs and a 94-yard drive late in the first half were enough to end a scoreless streak that reached four games and 17 quarters dating back to last year.
Smoky Mountain’s Dillon Dunford had seven catches for 68 yards in Friday’s 19-0 loss to Swain. – Photo by Mark Haskett
Shuler finished with 116 yards in 14 carries.
Cory Siler was SM’s leading rusher with 43 yards in 12 attempts.
Tyson Crawford completed 10 of 28 passes for 135 yards as the Mustangs tried to strike back through the air.
Freshman Dillon Dunford had seven receptions for 68 yards.
Matt Hawkins caught four passes totaling 45 yards. He also completed four of seven passes for 31 yards.
The Maroon Devils wasted no time getting on the board as they moved 80 yards in six plays following the opening kickoff. Shuler rambled for 16 yards on the first play then caught Scotty McMahan’s pass for 19 yards. McMahan’s 44-yard pass to Drew Bowers carried to the 1, and Shuler scored from there. Matt Hampton added the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 9:35 to go in the first quarter.
Both teams punted on their next two possessions before McMahan intercepted Crawford’s pass and returned it 41 yards to the SM 45. The defense held forcing a punt that was downed at the 3.
With their backs to the wall, the Mustangs went on their best drive of the young season. They converted four straight third down plays with three of those coming on passes from Crawford to Hawkins covering 14, 12 and 11 yards. Crawford scampered for 12 yards and completed a 12-yard pass to Dunford leading to a first-and-goal at the 3 in the closing seconds of the half. Out of time outs, SM had to twice spike the ball to conserve time. On fourth down from the 3, Siler was stopped for a loss of a yard.
Just as happened in the first half, the Devils scored on their initial possession after intermission. They started at the SM 41 following a short punt, and McMahan had a 20-yard run On fourth-and-4 from the 11, McMahan hit Shuler for 5 yards to the 6. Shuler scored on the next play, but Hampton missed the PAT leaving the margin 13-0 with 7:24 to play in the third period.
A 38-yard pass from Crawford to Dunford helped the Mustangs reach the Swain 19, but Shuler tackled Crawford for no gain on fourth down at the 13.
A short punt and Siler’s 15-yard return gave the Mustangs another golden scoring opportunity at the Devil 20. Travis Brooks sacked Crawford for a 6-yard loss on fourth down giving Swain the ball at the 25.
The Devils were forced to punt, and SM again reached Swain territory. Disaster struck when Shuler picked off Crawford’s pass and returned it 75 yards for a score. A conversion run failed, and Swain led 19-0 with 8:25 to go in the game.
The Mustangs’ next possession also ended with an interception as Chuckles Hoyle picked off Crawford’s pass at the SM 37.
Swain yielded possession on downs at the 19 after Dayne Bowers sacked McMahan for a 9-yard loss on fourth down.
SM reached midfield before being stopped on downs, and the Devils ran out the clock.
SM Swain
16 First Downs 11
35-107 Rushes-Yds. 40-157
14-35-3 Passing 3-7-0
166 Passing Yds. 68
3-29.7 Punts-Avg. 5-28.2
1-0 Fumbles-Lost 1-0
5-34 Penalties-Yds. 6-46
SM 0 0 0 0 0
Swain 7 0 6 6 19
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