Swain County Rebuilds and Replaces with Plans to Represent

By Brandon Stephens

(Sylva) – – Swain County’s Maroon Devil football team is rebuilding and working to replace the loss of some experienced Senior contributors.  The journey through the 2025 football season begins with a trip to historic rival Sylva to face the Mustangs.  The long-time rivalry has been the typical smash-mouth football game filled with drama between the best of “Bryson (City)” and “Sylvie (Sylva).”

Swain County is working to improve from its 1-and-10 and 0-and-5 conference season finish in 2024.  The Maroon Devils hit streaks of misfortune with several players being put out of the game temporarily or for the season.  Now Senior quarterback, Druw Cody was sidelined in 2024 with a broken collarbone.  Cody will return to the lineup this fall to lead the offensive charge.  Part of the misfortune for Swain County was a knack for mishandling the football, which cost Swain County to lose or maintain close touch with opponents.  Part of the replacement work is finding the offensive and defensive presence last year’s Senior Nse Uffort brought to the trenches.

The Maroon Devils will have some good veteran and senior leadership with its offense.  Druw Cody is reported to be healed and rehabilitated for the season to be a threat to opponents.  The back field will flank Senior running back Zeke Glaspie and Sophomore Colton Shuler.  Glaspie will bring speed to the Maroon Devils’ offensive rushing attack.  Otherwise, Druw Cody may find a good option to pass to Senior wide receiver Corey Stillwell.

The Swain County defense may rely on some of its speed from the linebackers and secondary to make tackles.  The front lines for Swain may need a little more strength.  One of the region’s best linemen, Senior Drew Skaggs and Junior Aiden Smiley will fill the spots once held by Uffort.  Skaggs has committed to playing football at Wofford College after graduating.

Swain County Head Football Coach Sherman Holt is pleased with the progress Swain County is making for the start of the season.  He also talks about what he expects in the game with Smoky Mountain High.

The game with Smoky Mountain will be tough and hard hitting.  Here is where Swain County plans to represent and stop the new cast of football players at Smoky Mountain.  The Mustangs lost its seasoned quarterback Jarek Jones and running back Ayden Johnson to Graduation.  Other contributors lost to graduation are wide receivers Malachi McNeely, Jayce Stillwell, Luke Fortner, and Jason Weliezer.  The losses for Smoky Mountain may bring a new face to the Mustang’s game and give opportunity to Swain County.

Smoky Mountain would show a spread offense and highly utilized Johnson to run the ball with a few passes to the wide receiver, mostly Jayce Stillwell.  Running the ball often, which has been the bread and butter for Smoky Mountain, was held by Jones, who racked up 1,200 yards in quarterback keepers last season.  This season the Mustangs do not have the experience at quarterback as Junior Josiah Ashe is expected to be the starter. This season the Mustangs may keep opponents on their toes rotating several different runners.  Juniors Damon Young and Aidan Foxworth may be two people to watch running the ball.  Junior Eli Snider is expected to play at tight end.  The Mustangs will have help from Ethan Johnson, Lane Crawford, Josyah Ward, and Ethan Boud on the front lines.  Junior C.J. Grant may be one of the best linemen for the team.  Smoky Mountain’s Head Football Coach is J.T. Postell.

The football game Friday night in Sylva is set to kick off at 7:30 at Carr Hooper Stadium/Babe Howell Field.

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