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Early touchdowns propel Devils to easy win over SM
Brevard, the state’s top-ranked 2-A team, scored on its first two scrimmage plays Friday and breezed to a 35-0 victory over Smoky Mountain in the Western Athletic Conference football opener at Brevard.
All of the scoring came in the first half of the game, which was played in a steady rain.
The second half was played in just 40 minutes. The Mustangs (0-1, 1-6) attempted only two passes, and the Blue Devils didn’t try any. After dominating the first half, Brevard, playing mostly reserves, manages just two first downs after intermission.
Smoky Mountain’s Cory Siler gained 83 yards on the ground in Friday’s 35-0 loss at Brevard. – Photo by Mark Haskett
Jonathan Elliott carried 10 times for 116 yards, and Quentin Robinson added 109 yards in 12 attempts for the Blue Devils.
Quarterback Kent Frisbee completed just three passes, but two of those went for touchdowns.
The Mustangs, who had only one first down in the first half and four in the game, were led by Cory Siler, who finished with 83 yards in 18 carries.
Siler had a 26-yard run on the game’s second play, but Matt Hawkins fumbled two plays later with Elliott recovering at the Devil 48.
Hawkins played quarterback in place of Tyson Crawford, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Following a penalty, Elliott broke loose on a 57-yard scoring run. Justin McCray, who was five of five on extra points, made it 7-0 with 10:08 to play in the first quarter.
On the first play following a punt, Frisbee completed a 37-yard TD pass to Adam Conley for a 14-0 margin with 7:42 remaining in the opening period.
The Devils were stymied on their next possession when C.J. Franks recovered Conley’s fumble at the SM 49.
The Mustangs gave the ball back two plays later when Nathan Norman picked off Hawkins’ pass and brought the ball back 31 yards to the Mustang 33.
Runs of 13, 14 and 11 yards by Robinson helped Brevard overcome penalties. Robinson scored from the 4 upping the lead to 21-0 with 1:52 to go in the opening stanza.
The lead reached 28-0 on Elliott’s 9-yard run with 9:04 to go in the half. Elliott’s 14-yard run and a 16-yard gain by Frankie Walters led to the score.
Frisbee’s 13-yard TD pass to Robinson Wright ended the scoring with 4:42 on the clock. Robinson had runs of 24 and 13 yards leading to the score.
Josh Jones recovered Elliott’s fumble at the Brevard 37 late in the half but gave the ball back moments later when Conley intercepted Hawkins’ pass at the 20.
SM’s Nick Zoda recovered Norman’s fumble at the Mustang 31 on Brevard’s second possession after intermission.
Following an exchange of punts and Siler’s 15-yard return, the Mustangs had their best threat of the night. Siler’s 20-yard run resulted in a first-and-goal at the 3. They came up empty when Maurice Harris recovered Hawkins’ fumble at the 11.
SM reached the Devil 21 on its next possession before turning the ball over on downs.
Brevard had one final chance to score after Jonathan Owen recovered Josh Jones’ fumble at the SM 40. Norman had a 26-yard run, and the Devils reached the 5 before taking a knee on the final play.
Billy Ayers led the Mustangs in tackles with 10, and Ethan Crowe had seven.
SM Brevard
4 First Downs 15
40-81 Rushes-Yds. 42-317
2-8-2 Passing 3-8-0
1 Passing Yds. 58
7-37.3 Punts-Avg. 4-37.8
5-4 Fumbles-Lost 4-3
4-32 Penalties-Yds. 9-52
SM 0 0 0 0 0
Brevard 21 14 0 0 35
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