Bryson City – Friday was far from a thing of beauty for the Maroon Devil football team. But, honestly, after two razor sharp performances, they were due one that was less than perfect. Swain posted 26 second quarter points on their way to a 33-21 win over visiting North Henderson.
Kobe Stephenson looks for an open receiver in Friday’s win
On the night the Devils fumbled the ball away three different times. One of those fumbles lead to the first score of the game as North’s Ashton Woodring picked the Swain fumble up and raced 59 yards for the first touchdown of the game. North added the two point conversion on a Cole McCarson run to give them an 8-0 lead with 10:24 remaining in the 1st quarter. It marked the first time that the Devils had trailed all season.
It would not take the Devils long to strike back. Only three plays into their next drive the Devils answered. Quarterback Kobe Stephenson found Jordan Cody behind the North secondary and hit him in stride for a 61 yard touchdown. Cooper Reinert added the point after to cut North’s lead to 8-7 with 8:56 left before the half.
But the Devils and Knights were far from done, as the second quarter saw the two teams combine for 40 points. Jordan Cody picked off a North pass on the next possession, giving the Devils good field position at the North 40 yard line. Junior Derek Fortner accounted for the big play of the drive as he bulled his way for a 26 yard gain, setting the Devils up with a first and goal from the one yard line. Fortner plunged over one play later. The extra point attempt failed, but the Devils had their first lead of the night at 13-7.
The lead would prove to be short lived as the explosive second quarter continued. North scored on their next possession as quarterback Devin Craft hit Dalton Whitaker on a crossing pattern, that resulted in a 67 yard touchdown. The two point attempt failed, giving North the lead back at 14-13 with 3:45 left in the second quarter.
Kobe Stephenson found Angel Bowers for a short pass that Bowers darted and weaved his way into a 48 yard gain, down to the North 7 yard line. Stephenson then hit Luke Woodard for a short gain to the North three yard line. Spencer McCoy carried the final three yards to put the Devils back in front 19-14, as their extra point attempt failed.
The Maroon Devils final possession of the second quarter came following a North punt with just 37 seconds remaining before the half. Stephenson hooked up with Jordan Cody for a 39 yard gain which took the Devils down to the Knights 7 yard line. Stephenson carried it in from 7 yards out with just 16 seconds remaining before the half. Reinert added the point after to give Swain a 26-14 lead at the half.
Swain’s lone score in the second half came in the third quarter. Jordan Cody took a North punt and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Reinert’s kick was good giving Swain a 33-14 advantage.
North would score a late touchdown to cut the margin to 33-21.
Ross Ensley zeros in on North ball carrier in the Devils 33-21 win Friday
It was a strange night offensively for the Devils who managed only 105 rushing yards, 38 of which came from quarterback Kobe Stephenson. Taylor Oros added 37 yards, while Derek Fortner had 30 on the night. Stephenson had another great night throwing the football as he finished 7 of 8 for career high 178 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Cody finished with 207 all-purpose yards. Cody had 107 through the air and added the rest on punt and kick returns.
Ross Ensley spearheaded a stingy Swain defense that limited North to only 63 yards rushing a 134 yards passing. Ensley finished with 15 tackles. Right behind him was Brody Sitton who had 10 tackles, followed by Taylor Oros and Spencer McCoy who finished with 8 each.
The Maroon Devils are now 3-0, while North falls to 0-2.