Andrews – The Wildcats’ varsity football team got their first Smoky Mountain Conference win of the season in a four-quarter defensive fight with Swain County.
In a night of penalties, punts and a safety, Andrews (4-1) prevailed against the Maroon Devils (0-5) on Friday night.
The game was a defensive battle from the beginning. There were also multiple penalties in each quarter, one of which negated the potential first score of the game.
In the first quarter, Swain broke loose down the sideline and rushed almost 80 yards to the end zone, but a penalty flag was thrown. Swain was called for holding, and the touchdown was called off.
In the second quarter, the first points of the game were scored, but not by the offense.
Eli Aguilar of Andrews punted the ball downfield and pinned Swain inside their own 20 yard line. Swain couldn’t come up with the first down after Andrews blocked a pass on third down, forcing a punt.
Swain snapped the ball to the punter, who missed the ball, which rolled out of the back of the end zone. That was a safety, giving Andrews a 2-0 lead.
In the third quarter, Swain was presented with its first scoring chance, as the field goal unit came onto the field. They kicked the ball, but it hit off the goalpost. The Wildcats’ fans erupted with excitement as the kick missed.
Coming down the stretch in the fourth quarter, Aguilar punted and pinned Swain at its own 4 yard line. They began to move it up the field, but then Colton Rose got a big tackle on third down to force fourth down.
Swain went for it on fourth down with just under four minutes left in regulation. They failed to get the first down, and Andrews got the ball back with 3:07 left.
Andrews got the ball back and took their time with each play to run the clock down, which caused Swain to expend all three of their timeouts. Swain got the ball back with just over a minute left.
They began to throw the ball to move it downfield. With only a few seconds left, Swain threw it downfield, and Andrews sophomore Brady McLelland met the ball in the air to get the interception to secure the win.
The Wildcats’ defense helped them win the game Friday night. Players combined for 26 solo tackles and 47 tackle assists.
Seniors Jerry Cable and Will Roberts had five solo tackles and 10 assists each. Landon Greene had a sack and Gabe Aguilar has one quarterback hurry.
Greene, Gabe Aguilar and Kencade Watkins had three solo tackles each.
On offense, Everett Tatham was 2 of 8 for 15 yards in the air. Aguilar had 10 carries for 36 yards, while LaDannien Rattler had three carries for 13 yards.
Aguilar also had one 11-yard reception and Boone Parker had one four-yard reception. On special teams, Aguilar had eight punts, placing four of them inside Swain’s 20 yard line.
Wildcats head coach James Phillips after Friday’s game compared winning in the SMC to winning in the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference.
“Any SEC coach will tell you it’s hard to win a game in the SEC, and it’s hard to win games in the Smoky Mountain Conference,” Phillips said. “I don’t care what anybody says, that’s a heck of a football team, and we knew that coming in. I know they’re 0-4, but played dang good people, better people than we have overall.
“Our kids knew, our coaches knew that it was going to be a four-quarter fight and, again, that’s something we try to pride ourselves on is being able to finish in the fourth quarter. Who knew it was going to be a hockey score? I’m proud of our kids, proud of their fight.”
Phillips also gave credit to the hard work of special teams players. He said they spend time on special teams every day, and that practice won them the game Friday.
He also said Colton Rose played well, along with Jerry Cable. He mentioned Aguilar for his good runs on offense and great punts. Phillips also said seniors stepped up.
Frank Maennle, Andrews athletic director and former Swain County varsity football coach of 30 years, said after the win Friday night, “Anytime you play Swain, you know they’re going to be tough and they’re going to get after it. …
“After being over there as long as I was and having a part in that program, it’s good to see these kids doing what they’re doing and not worrying about what’s happened in the past. They’re playing in the moment, and that’s all they’re concerned about. I’m proud of our coaches, and I’m proud of our kids and I’m proud for our fans. I’m sure they enjoyed what they saw tonight.”
This week, the Wildcats head to Cherokee to take on the Braves (3-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in their second conference game of the season and first on the road.