Bryson City – Andrews traveled to Swain County for its first Smoky Mountain Conference matchup of the season as the Wildcats took on the Maroon Devils.
The Devils (3-2) scored early and often as the Wildcats (0-5) fell on the road 55-0 on Friday night.
The Cats won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first. After the offense failed to get going early, they had to punt.
Once Swain County got the ball, the Devils moved up to their 16 yard line. On third and 6, they rushed in an 84-yard touchdown. After making the extra point, they led 7-0 with 8:27 remaining in the first quarter.
The next drive was another three-and-out for the Cats. Swain got the ball back and scored another touchdown on the ground, this time on a quarterback keeper. The Devils missed the extra point to lead 13-0 less than four minutes after their opening score.
During the Cats’ next drive, Will Phillips took over at quarterback after Brady McLelland came to the sideline with an injury.
As the Wildcats punted, the ball was tipped, and Swain started its next drive on the Andrews 36 yard line. The Devils got three yards during the drive, then broke free for a 33-yard rushing touchdown.
Swain made the extra point and led 20-0 with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Wildcats got the ball back and had possession until the end of the first quarter. To start the second quarter, the Wildcats punted.
On the punt, the ball was blocked and Swain started 16 yards away from the end zone. On second down, the Devils rushed it in 16 yards for the score. After making the extra point, they led 27-0 only 14 seconds into the second period.
The Wildcats were forced to punt once again. Swain started on Andrews’ 46 yard line and, on the first play from scrimmage, they rushed it in to lead 24-0 after making the extra point.
On the kickoff return, Logan Shuler returned the ball to Andrews’ 47 yard line. On the ensuing drive, the Wildcats failed to get across midfield and pick up the first down, resulting in a punt.
Swain started on its 33 yard line and moved up 12 yards before finding the end zone. There was a flag on the play after Swain had a block in the back, bringing the ball back to the 45.
Another long rush was barred by another penalty on Swain. From 41 yards out, Swain found the end zone to lead 40-0 after missing the extra point.
Late in the second quarter, Phillips went down with an injury. Shuler was brought in to play quarterback for the remainder of the game. On his first drive under center, the Cats had to punt.
Once Swain got the ball back, the Devils failed to convert on third down and went for it on fourth. Shuler got a sack, and the Wildcats got the ball back.
With less than a minute remaining in the half, the Wildcats ran two plays before time expired.
At halftime, Swain celebrated homecoming. Since the Cats were down by 40, there was a running clock in the second half.
Swain started the second half with the ball and found the end zone from nine yards out. They made the extra point and led 47-0.
The Wildcats couldn’t get going on offense and had to punt.
The third quarter ended with Swain in possession of the ball on their 37 yard line. With 5:43 remaining in the game, the Devils found the end zone one more time.
After the extra point snap was fumbled, Swain picked up the ball and ran into the end zone for two points. They led 55-0, which is where the game would stand when the final buzzer went off.
After the game, Wildcats head coach Jason Johnson said injuries made it hard to compete. With Will Phillips going down with an injury, Johnson said he was proud of Shuler for stepping in at quarterback.
Johnson said he hopes Phillips is back soon so that they can “start rolling and get this thing moving.” To prepare for Robbinsville this week, Johnson said they will get back to work immediately.
“We just have to get back Monday and get focused and go back to the drawing board, hopefully get some people back this next week, get healthy and compete,” he said.
The Wildcats will return to action Friday night on the road against the Black Knights in their second straight road game. The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m.