Andrews – Despite multiple scoring chances, the Wildcats’ varsity football team came up short to Hayesville in the final regular season game of the season.
In a rematch between the two teams, the Yellow Jackets (3-7) bested Andrews (4-5) 26-10 on Friday night. The team’s split two games, as the Wildcats won the first game 7-2 on Sept. 6 in a non-conference tilt.
The first points of the game were scored on Andrews’ first drive after Hayesville had to punt. The Wildcats worked down the field thanks to multiple rushes from Holden Todd.
The Cats made it to the 20 yard line on fourth down. Kicker Micah Gibson set up and made a 30-yard field goal to give the Cats a 3-0 lead – but that was the last time in the game they would hold a lead.
On the next drive, Hayesville worked their way down the field on multiple plays in the air, then rushed in to grab the lead. Wildcat Will Roberts deflected the extra point attempt, so Hayesville only led 6-3.
After multiple punts by both teams to end the first quarter and throughout the second quarter, Hayesville broke through to score another touchdown. On a trick play, the Yellow Jackets found the end zone. After making the point after, the Jackets led 13-3 with 44 seconds left in the first half.
The Wildcats began working their way down the field on big runs from LaDannien Rattler. They ultimately turned it over on downs after failing to convert on third down and they were out of field goal range. With 3.8 seconds left, Hayesville ran one play, and time expired with the Jackets leading 13-3 at halftime.
Andrews started the half with the ball, but ultimately had to punt. They didn’t wait long before they got the ball back, as Landon Greene recovered a fumble in good field position to set up a scoring chance for the Cats.
After a penalty on the first play, the Cats advanced to the 18-yard line. They moved it down to the 3 yard line in a great scoring position. Once they were knocking on the door of the end zone, they fumbled and Hayesville recovered it.
Hayesville had to punt on the next turned 20 yards downfield. The Wildcats were working their way upfield as the third quarter ended.
They picked up right where they left off to start the fourth quarter. From the 12-yard line, Everett Tatham found Aguilar in the end zone for the touchdown. Gibson made the extra point to make it a three-point game.
On the following drive, Hayesville rushed the ball in from the 21 yard line to extend their lead to 20-10.
The Wildcats were still in the game until Hayesville began running the clock down on their drive. Hayesville put the game on ice when they rushed in another touchdown to lead 26-10 with 1:34 remaining.
Andrews fought until the end, putting the ball in the air to work down the field. Time expired before the Cats could put any more points on the board.
Wildcats quarterback Tatham had 76 total yards Friday night, throwing for 44 and rushing for 32. Aguilar rushed for 16 yards and had 44 receiving yards as well as a touchdown. Todd led the team in rushing yards with 53, while Rattler had 35 yards on the ground.
On defense, Roberts had another big game with five solo tackles and 12 tackle assists. Aguilar had five solo tackles and three assists. Jerry Cable had the second-most total tackles with 14 total on four solo tackles and 10 assists, and Rattler had one sack.
Freshman kicker Gibson scored four points for the Cats. He made one extra point and a field goal.
After Friday’s game, Wildcats head coach James Phillips said his team did not play well.
“Ultimately, I’m the one that’s responsible for the team and the way they play is my responsibility and we didn’t get the job done, which means I didn’t get the job done. It hurts me as the head coach when you try to find ways to be successful, put these kinds in position to be successful and we just can’t get it done,” Phillips said.
“It was like one step forward, two steps back. We would get something going, and it was a false start penalty or a fumble … Like I told them, they always know they’re going to get my best, and obviously that hadn’t been enough lately, so I’ve got to find a way to push harder and dig deeper.”
They will use this week’s bye week to rest and heal up, then watch film and work on fundamentals, the coach added.
Prior to Friday’s game, Wildcats seniors Everett Tatham, Kencade Watkins, Boone Parker, Holden Todd, Jerry Cable, Will Roberts, William Wood, Antonio Hernandez, Grant Phillips, Colton Rose, Landon Greene, Braydon Bohanan, Elijah Morgan and Braxton Rickett were honored. The schools also honored the cheerleaders and marching band seniors.
Speaking on this group of senior football players, Phillips said, “I love them. What happened tonight does not change how I feel about them as a group. A lot of those kids have been with me since they were in seventh grade and our JV program. They’ve been through thick and thin with me and these coaches, and they’ve worked hard.”
The regular season concludes for both teams, which will have a bye week this week. The Wildcats finish in fifth in the Smoky Mountain Conference, while Hayesville finishes fourth.