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Smoky Mountain will play Friday at West Henderson
Smoky Mountain’s football team will travel to West Henderson on Friday for its next to last game of the football season.
Kickoff time is 7:30 p.m. for the first meeting ever between the schools.
The Falcons are 3-5 overall and 1-2 in the Western Athletic Conference. Their lone WAC win was 6-0 over Pisgah in one of the biggest upsets in Western North Carolina this season.
“After seeing them on film, you can understand why (they beat Pisgah),” Coach Tim Hawkins said. “They’re really good on defense. They remind me a lot of Franklin.”
Coach Jeff Bailey’s team uses a 50 defense. The offense shows multiple sets but is based out of the wing T.
“They don’t throw the ball a lot,” Hawkins said. “Their defense is going to keep them in every game.”
Sean Jones is quarterback with tailback Quinten Owens providing quickness. Fullback David Arrowood is a powerful runner. They operate behind a big line of scrimmage, according to Hawkins.
Nose guard Josh Kirbo is a defensive standout.
Both teams lost to Brevard and East Henderson. Brevard downed West 24-0 and SM 35-0. East handled the Falcons 21-7 and the Mustangs 37-12.
West defeated Hendersonville 35-6 while SM fell to the Bearcats 21-0.
The Falcons also topped R-S Central (21-14). Other losses have been to Roberson (10-2), Mountain Heritage (28-21) and Avery (35-18).
The Mustangs (0-3, 1-8) had a golden opportunity to pick up a homecoming win Friday before falling 13-10 to North Henderson.
“We got off to a slow start, and that hurt us,” Hawkins said. “We couldn’t execute a third-down play on offense, and we couldn’t stop them on third down on defense. In the first half, we didn’t have many opportunities with the ball.”
North led 7-0 at halftime after a touchdown set up by a failed fake punt near midfield.
“In hindsight I should have punted it and played the field position game, but it was so hard to get the ball from them,” Hawkins said.
The Mustangs’ drive for a potential tying score was thwarted in the third quarter when an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty nullified a first-and-goal inside the 10. They had to settle for a field goal.
“It was a lack of discipline,” Hawkins said. “It could have been called on both teams, but the second guy usually gets caught. You need to keep your cool and not retaliate.”
Zack Watson, who gained 83 yards on the ground, was singled out as was quarterback Matt Hawkins.
“Zack played well and gave us a spark running the ball particularly in the second half,” the coach said. “Matt played well at quarterback. We’re still dropping too many passes. Our offensive line played well in the second half.”
Ethan Crowe and Daniel Buchanan were cited for their defensive play.
Tailback Cory Siler missed the game with a knee injury but likely will see action this week. Quarterback Tyson Crawford had been expected to return from a shoulder injury but did not play. He may not play any more this season.
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