Bryson City -It proved to be a tuneup for the playoffs. Swain scored 35 points in the 1st quarter and then cruised to a 41-14 win over the Carolina Gladiators.
Swain scored 5 first quarter touchdowns, two coming off of interceptions. Tanner Wiggins and Brier Younce both picked off a Gladiator pass and returned it for a touchdown. Younce also scored the first touchdown of the game on a 27 yard pass from Brodie Bowman. Bowman scored a touchdown of his own on a 12 yard run. Colby Taylor scored on a 21 yard run to round out the quarter.
In the 2nd quarter the Maroon Devils second team offense took over. Quarterback Conner Hyatt and the Devils offense marched 55 yards on 8 plays for the longest drive of the game. Senior Trey Spates, to the delight of his teammates, scored the Devils final touchdown of the night on his first career carry. Spates plunged over from the 2 yard line.
The Maroon Devils were a combined 6 of 6 passing from the quarterback position. Conner Hyatt was 4-4 for 46 yards, all career highs, while Bowman finished 2-2 for 34 yards.
Sam Everhardt had 3 receptions for 36 yards. Younce had the one catch for 27 yards and a TD, while Robert Green and Brandyn Salinas each had a catch.
Colby Taylor had a team high 80 yards on 11 carries. Damien Lossiah had 60 yards on 6 carries and Cameron Baines had 19 yards on 6 carries.
On defense Cody Long had 5 tackles to pace the Devils while Robert Green and Sam Everhardt had 4 each.