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Struggling offenses to meet Friday in SM’s home opener
The scoreboard has been moved to the west end of the stadium, and both teams hope it gets a workout Friday when Hayesville comes to Smoky Mountain for the Mustangs’ home football opener.
Kickoff time at Carr Hooper Stadium/Babe Howell Field is 7:30 p.m. for Bojangle’s Jackson County Emergency Services Appreciation Night.
Renovation work was continuing last week on the press box at Smoky Mountain High’s Carr Hooper Stadium in preparation for Friday’s football home-opener against Hayesville at 7:30 p.m. Athletic Director Si Simmons said several local businesses have donated goods and services for the stadium projects, including refurbishing the rest rooms. – Herald photo by Nick Breedlove.
Tailgating sponsored by the Touchdown Club will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairview Youth Complex parking lot. While parking in the lot is limited to club members, everyone is invited to the tailgating party, according to Frank Watson, club president.
The Mustangs (0-2) and Yellow Jackets (0-1) are both looking to put up their first points of the season. SM has not scored in four games and 17 quarters dating back to last year.
“We need to win, and we need to continue to improve,” Coach Tim Hawkins said. “The two will come together at some time. We’re getting better every day in practice. If that continues, we’ll win games. They go hand-in-hand.”
The Mustangs had several scoring opportunities in Friday’s 19-0 loss at Swain. The best chance came at the end of the first half when a 94-yard drive ended at the 3. Counting making up for lost yardage with penalties, Hawkins noted the team drove more than 100 yards.
“We’ve got to score sometime,” he said. “We drove over 100 yards and didn’t score. That’s nearly impossible.”
While this will be SM’s second game in Jackson County this season, it will be the first at the school facility. The first was a 21-0 loss to Hendersonville at Western Carolina.
“I think the kids are excited to get back out there,” Hawkins said. “Being the first home game will be exciting for everybody.”
Hawkins is wary of the Jackets despite their 21-0 loss Friday to Rabun County (Ga.).
“I compare them favorably to Swain,” he said.
Players to watch include two-way linemen Randy Nichols (6-3, 331) and Daniel Jones (6-2, 260).
Quarterback Jonathan Shivley, who also plays free safety, was labeled a “good athlete” by Hawkins.
The Jackets utilize a multiple I offense and 43 defense. They are coached by Neil Setzer, a 1976 Sylva-Webster High graduate.
The Mustangs hold a 7-3 lead in the series. However, Hayesville won 13-7 last year with a 30-yard touchdown pass on the game’s final play.
Rather than being frustrated with the missed opportunities last week at Swain, Hawkins was upbeat about the way his team moved the ball at times.
“I’m positive because we know what we need to work on,” he said. “We’ve got to find a way to finish the drives. If we do that, that’s one heck of a football game down there.”
Dillon Dunford had seven catches for 68 yards, and Matt Hawkins caught four passes for 45 yards. Tyson Crawford completed 10 of 28 passes for 135 yards.
“Dillon and Matt did good jobs catching and blocking,” the coach said. “They kept us moving down the field. Tyson threw the ball well in parts of the game. The offensive line as a group improved a great deal.”
Defensive standouts included Trinity Blackburn, who had four solo tackles, four assists and two sacks in his first start at nose guard, and C.J. Franks, who had six solos and three assists.
“I was real pleased for the most part with our defensive effort,” Coach Hawkins said. “Their two scoring drives were basically about two plays.”
Billy Ayers and T.J. Bradley were both singled out for their defensive play.
“We made a lot of improvement from week one to week two, “ Hawkins said. “Now we’ve just got to get in the end zone to build our confidence up.”
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