Written By Rowan Ellis

Photo By Joanna McMahan

Buccaneers Get Revenge

Looking to start off the new season strong, the Swain County Maroon Devils travel to Charlotte to face off against Charlotte Country Day School. The Devils looked to continue their trend of early season success as they blew out the Buccaneers at home in their season opener a year prior. But Senior Quarterback, Khalel Wright and Freshman Wide Receiver, Braylon Clark for the Buccaneers seemed to be connecting on every level.

Starting with the ball, Khalel Wright connects with receiver Braylon Clark for a huge gain of 32 to get their team in the red zone early. However they cannot capitalize and settle for a field goal to get ahead early, 3-0. As the Swain offense comes out, they look to continue in their success with pounding the ball on the ground, as Junior quarterback Andruw Cody does just that on having three first down rushes. But the Buccaneer defense comes up strong in time to force an incompletion on 3rd down and bring out the Swain County field goal unit that ultimately comes up short, unable to tie the game allowing the Bucs to hold the lead.

However, the Charlotte Country Day offense comes out firing, connecting on another deep pass of 38 to Clark. Immediately backing that up with a high ball in the endzone that Clark brings down over Swain’s defensive back to extend the Buccaneer lead, 9-0. As all the momentum seems to be on the home sideline, the Buccaneers own Mac Summerville brings down an interception on Swain’s first pass play of the game to put the ball back in the hands of Khalel Wright. With finding struggle in the air, the Country day offense puts the ball on the ground as Wright rushes for two big first downs to soon have Junior Running Back Sam Jacobson race in the endzone from 11 yards out. Extending the Buccaneer lead, 15-0.

With time running down, a penalty on the Country Day defense and a big gain of 25 in the air to Senior receiver James Arch, the Devils get into field goal range and finally get on the board, still trailing 15-3 going into the half. Looking to turn the game around, receiving the ball out of the half, Swain County looks to start a roll. Converting on 4th down with a Qb rush, followed by another first down on the ground, Cody hands the ball off outside to Junior Running Zeke Glaspie who explodes for a huge 33 yard rushing touchdown. Converting on the 2-point conversion, the Devils reduce the deficit, 15-11.

Nonetheless, Charlotte Country Day’s offense is still moving just as strong, picking up multiple first downs on the ground and air. But the Swain County D-Line hits the Buccaneers hard, as Junior Drew Skaggs records his second sack on the night, not giving Wright any time back in the pocket. As the next play, Nse Uffort chasing down Wright forces him to roll out and look in the endzone is picked off by Swain County Safety Corey Stilwell who comes down on the 1 yard line.

Trying to build off the interception the Devils cannot get any offense going as they go 3 and out back deep into their own territory. With excellent starting field position, Khalel Wright wastes no time looking as his favorite target of the night in Braylon Clark who blows past a Swain defender and gets in the endzone once again for his second touchdown of the night, both of those being over 30 yards in the air. The touchdown extending the Buccaneer lead, 21-11.

With time expiring, Swain came up short on a 4th down rush to seal the game for the Buccaneers. Getting revenge from last year, taking away the win at home with a final score of 21-11.

Look Ahead: The Maroon Devils will host the Smoky Mountain Mustangs in the upcoming week while the Buccaneers are on the road to face Community School of Davidson.