Maroon Devils Show True Grit in 38-34 Loss to Tuscola

Bryson City – With as many as 10 different players unable to play Friday night, the Maroon Devils faced long odds against a very good Tuscola team.  Somehow, through sheer grit, determination, heart, whatever you want to call it, the Devils pushed Tuscola to the limit before falling 38-34. As a matter of fact the Devils led 34-31 with just over 2 minutes remaining in the game.  Despite throwing only 19 combined passes in their previous two games combined, the Mountaineers found gold striking on a 47 yard touchdown pass to take the lead at 38-34.

The injury bug has been particularly brutal on the Swain backfield.  Friday offensive coordinator Jeff Marr was down to only 2 healthy running backs. But the duo of Brody Sitton and Dylan Smith answered the call of what has become the team’s battle cry of next up.  Sitton and Smith both ran for career highs, Sitton finishing with 120 yards on 16 carries and 2 touchdowns.  Smith finished with 54 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball a hobbled Ross Ensley finished with 13 total tackles in anchoring a young Devils defense.  Johnny Woodard added 10 tackles, while Issiah Bradley finished with 7.

For a Maroon Devil team searching for an identity the Devils took massive steps forward with their effort in the loss.  In a situation where it would have been easy to have used injuries as an excuse the Devils refused and instead showed the heart of a champion.  Swain now has an off week to hopefully heal before beginning Smoky Mountain Conference play.