Andrews – The Wildcats varsity football team scratched and clawed their way to victory against Hayesville 7-2 on Friday night.
It was a back-and-forth battle under the lights in Andrews, as neither team could get on the scoreboard until the Wildcats broke through with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, Andrews (2-0) got the ball by recovering a fumble, then they progressed down field with help from a big throw from quarterback Everett Tatham to Eli Aguilar to end the quarter. To start the fourth, LaDannien Rattler rushed the ball, broke multiple tackles and made it to the end zone for the games only touchdown. Freshman Micah Gibson put the extra point through the uprights to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
The only two points for Hayesville (0-2) came on what was ruled a safety. Andrews had fourth and long and was set to punt. The ball was snapped over the head of the punter and rolled out of the back of the end zone, which resulted in the safety and two points for the Yellow Jackets.
Leading up to the only two scoring plays, there was action from both teams. In the final few minutes before halftime, Andrews recovered two fumbles to get the ball back. The Wildcats attempted a field goal as the clock was winding down in the second quarter, but the kick came up short.
To end the game, the Wildcats recovered a fumble right next to their sideline and the team went ballistic with excitement. They slowly worked down the field as the clock was heading toward zero and Hayesville was running out of timeouts. Andrews took the knee to end the game to remain undefeated this season.
“I thought we played gritty and tough, but that’s the way these boys are. I think most people know that’s how our program is built. Are kids are going to fight and they’re going to claw and scratch,” head coach James Phillips said
“Everybody picks us to get beat by a thousand points because they think we’re not any good, and I hope everybody keeps picking against us. We know who we are, and we know we have potential to be a pretty good ball team, and we don’t care what anybody else is saying or what anybody thinks. So we’re just trying to get better.”
Phillips said the whole team stood out. Their mantra is “we is greater than me.”
Wildcats quarterback Tatham was effective on the ground and in the air with 12 carries for 32 yards and was 1/3 for 20 yards from the pocket.
Aguilar led the team in rushing yards with 52 and also had one reception for 20 yards. Rattler had a big game on both sides of the ball. He had five carries for 15 yards, one touchdown, one interception and two fumble recoveries.
Holden Todd had six carries for 28 yards, while Brady McLelland had one carry for 16 yards. The Wildcats ran the ball 41 times for 144 yards. They also had 35 yards in penalties.
On defense, Drew Dartez and Colton Rose had a fumble recovery each. Senior Jerry Cable had a hurry on the Jackets quarterback. Cable and Will Roberts led the team with three solo tackles each. Landon Greene led the team with five tackle assists.
The Wildcats hit the road this week to take on Mitchell at 7:30 p.m. Friday. In their second of two straight road games, they face Calhoun Falls Charter on Sept. 20.