Cherokee – Friday the Maroon Devils traveled the short distance up to Ray Kinsland Stadium to take on the Braves. For many the Devils were in search of an upset, but for the Maroon Devils, who never think of themselves as an underdog, they were looking for consistent play over 4 quarters of football. Both takes were answered as the Maroon Devils stunned the defending NCHSAA 1A Champions with a 43-28 win.
The Maroon Devils, who trailed 14-13 at the half, found a different gear, and perhaps found themselves over the final two quarters. Swain outscored the Braves 30-14 in the second half, using a grind it out ground game.
Swain’s dynamic sophomore duo of Damian Lossiah and Bryce Sain, each finished with over 100 yards rushing. Lossiah finished with a career high 184 yards on a career high 29 carries, adding 3 touchdowns. Sain had 154 yards, most of it coming in the second half, on 16 carries to go with a pair of touchdowns. Lossiah completed his lone pass of the night to Hunter Call, which was good for a 67 yard touchdown, the Maroon Devils first of the night.
It was far from a two man show, as the night belonged to the Maroon Devil squad who continually made play after play. The Devils defense had their best game of the year, despite a few breakdowns along the way. Swain’s Hunter Burrell tallied two key second half sacks, to go along with sacks from Nick Millsaps and Jake Langston. The Maroon Devil defense made life uncomfortable for the Braves quarterbacks all night. Langston led the Devils with 9 tackles, followed by Thomas Allen’s 6, with Bryce Sain, Hunter Burrell and Charlie Lambert each tallying 5.
In the secondary Daniel Ammons, Jesse Waldroup, and Ian Brooks all had key pass break-ups, with Jesse Waldroup adding an interception to the Swain cause. And for the 2nd straight game Charlie Lambert blocked an extra point.
In the most important stat of all the Maroon Devils move to 2-0 in Smoky Mountain Conference play.