Bryson City – North Stanly entered Friday’s playoff game having scored 40 or more points in all but two of their games on the season. After the dust settled Friday the Comets scored 42, but the Maroon Devils posted a season high 51 points to take a wild and highly entertaining 51-42 offensive slugfest. The 95 combined points was just three points shy of the school record for most points combined in a playoff game, as the Devils scored a combined 98 with Avery back in 2011, ironically enough in another first round game. Unlike the typical score fest in today’s game, the Devils and Comets did it the old fashioned way, on the ground.
North Stanly rushed for 519 yards, while the Maroon Devils finished with 363 yards, for a combined 882 rushing yards. The Maroon Devils would add another 125 yards through the air to push the total offense for the game to over 1000 yards at 1007.
Honestly, this game featured a little bit of everything. You had outstanding rushing performances from both squads and highlight reel type plays throughout. In the end four running backs went over 100 yards, and one quarterback had over 100 yards, as well as one receiver.
Swain jumped out to the early lead, which then teetered between 14 and 7 for most of the first half. Right before halftime the Comets pulled to within 7 at 28-21. The Devils, as they did all night, methodically drove down and scored on a Holden Petty 31 yard field goal, to push their lead to 10 before the half. Swain forced a rare and quick three and out from the Comet offense. Following the punt the Devils struck in their most spectacular fashion of the night. Following a short run, a spiked ball to stop the clock and an incomplete pass, the Devils faced a 4th and 5 from the Comet 44 yard line. With no time showing on the clock, Brodie Bowman hit Seth Parker in stride, between two defenders, for a 44 yard touchdown. The score sent the Devils into halftime with a stunning 38-21 lead.
In the second half the Comets rallied, eventually cutting the Swain lead to three at 45-42 in the fourth quarter. But Swain would answer again and this time put the game on ice. After North put together a 10 play 68 yard drive to cut the game to three points with 3:27 remaining, the Devils answered in short order. Swain would score the game clincher on a 45 yard touchdown run by Dylan Smith with 2:32 remaining in the game.
Clayton Catolster intercepted a North pass to give the Devils the ball back with 2:12 left. From here the Devils ran off the remaining time to earn the win.
North Stanly’s sophomore phenom Cameron Davis finished with 334 yards on 24 carries and 3 touchdowns. Davis’ effort was truly impressive, as he proved to be slippery, elusive and fast all night. His backfield mate Jacobi Emery finished with 176 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 carries. Emery proved to be thunder to Davis’ lighting. Rarely were either tackled by the first defender, nor were they brought down by one defender.
The Devils got a pair of 100 yard rushers of their own. Senior Dylan Smith rushed for a career high 198 yards on 18 carries and scored 3 touchdowns. Fellow senior Chris Miller finished with 128 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown of his own. Keshaun Beaner scored a touchdown on his lone run of the night.
For Swain it was the passing game that made all the difference. Brodie Bowman complete three passes on the night, all three were critical for the Devils. Two of the three were touchdown strikes to Seth Parker. One covered 44 yards and the other 67 yards, as Parker finished with 111 yards on 2 catches and 2 touchdowns. Bowman’s other completion was a critical first down completion to Brier Younce. Rolling to his right Bowman threw a perfect pass to Younce who made an outstanding fingertip catch to beat good coverage.
Holden Petty also had another outstanding night kicking. Petty made good on 6 of 7 extra points, nailed a 31 yard field goal, and continued his good work on kickoffs.
On the defensive side, Will Paul had 12 tackles, while Wren Gunter, Johnny Woodard, and Ice Littlejohn finished with 9 each. Dawson Lowe added an interception and a fumble recovery for the Devils, while Clayton Catolster had another interception, and Holden Petty recovered a fumble.