Swain Knocks The Braves Lights Out, Moves To 9-0

Swain Blows Past Cherokee to Advance to 9-0 on The Season

Written By Rowan Ellis

Photos from Joanna McMahan

 

In a week 9 matchup against the Cherokee Braves, the Swain County Maroon Devils look to secure a win to continue their undefeated on the season. Winning the coin toss and deciding to receive the ball after halftime, the Devils onside kick and come up with the ball. However the Cherokee defense looks to shut down the rush early, as Swain is met with a very quick 4th down attempt that is incomplete on the pass. The Devil’s defense comes out just as strong as Joshua Collins gets two consecutive tackles, one being for a loss of yardage to force Cherokee to punt. Doing what they do best in running the ball, Josiah Glaspie breaks loose for a 57 yard touchdown to have Collins record a 47 yard touchdown the following drive to give the Devils the lead 13-0.

 

Forcing Cherokee to go 3 and out on consecutive drives gives Swain the ball back. A 4th and short play comes up for the Devils but is converted on the ground by Glaspie on a 22 yard rush just to bring up another 3rd down that is incomplete in the endzone. Swain will kick the field goal to extend their early lead, 16-0. On the kickoff, Cherokee’s Elijah Lineberry brings the ball all the way to the Swain 45 to start the Braves with great field position. Looking to capitalize on the great starting field position, Swain’s Josiah Glaspie comes down with an interception inside their own 30 and runs it back for a pick 6. With a 2 point conversion that is good, The Devils lead 24-0.

 

Even with the early lead, Swain’s defense had no sight in slowing down as Grady Lewis and Nse Uffort each had their own tackles for a loss of yardage followed by a pass breakup by Corey Stilwell to make Cherokee punt once again. On the first play on the drive, Collins records another rushing touchdown, this one from 31 yards out to add to their lead once again, 31-0. As the game seems to become very one sided, Swain’s Corey Stilwell comes away with a fumble recovery. But the Braves look to not be out of the game yet as Cornerback Jonathan Saylor picks off Winchester to lead to a 34 yard throw from Micheal Driver connecting with Mato Grant for the touchdown, in an attempt to cut down the Swain lead 31-7 as the first half comes to a close.

Receiving the ball after Halftime, Swain wastes no time getting on the board with a 43 yard rush by Glaspie to add to their big lead, 38-7. Stopping Cherokee once again, Swain running back James Stroman has a big run of his own for 44 yards to make it the 6th rush for the devils exceeding 30 yards. With the score being 45-7, and the Braves looking for any last chance opportunities, Swain’s Keyanthae Graham grabs an interception of his own. With still 8 minutes in the 3rd quarter, most of the Starters are pulled from the game. Still not making a difference as Mason Cochran recovers a fumble from Cherokee. As Swain continues to put the ball on the ground, sophomore Zeke Glaspie has a nice 25 yard rush of his own, but soon is met with another 4th and long. Cherokee is soon met with a 3rd and long, but another fumble from the Braves gets recovered by Swain’s Andruw Cody. With 11 minutes still left in the 4th, the lights on the field unexpectedly shut off and the game was called. Swain takes home the win, 45-7.

Look Ahead: Swain will travel to Big Oaks Stadium in Robbinsville for their last and most important regular season matchup, and Cherokee will have a home matchup against Murphy in hopes to take home the win.