Bryson City – The Maroon Devils advanced to the 2nd round of the NCHSAA 1AA playoffs this past Friday with a 42-14 win over visiting Cherryville. Swain wasted little time, as they scored all 42 of their points in the 1st half, leaving the field at the half with a 42-0 lead. Cherryville would add their 14 points on two 4th quarter touchdowns.
The Maroon Devils wasted no time in welcoming back senior wide receiver Seth Parker, who missed the last 8 games due to injury. Quarterback Brodie Bowman hit Parker in stride on the 1st offensive play of the game for the Devils. The Bowman to Parker strike covered 56 yards and set the Devils up on the Cherryville 14 yard line. Bowman and Ian Brooks did the rest as the two alternated carries until Brooks took it in for the first touchdown of the game.
Bowman and the Maroon Devils were far from done. On the next possession Bowman found Brier Younce for a 60 yard touchdown. Holden Petty made good on both extra point attempts leaving the score 14-0.
Ian Brooks struck again on the next Ironmen possession. Brooks picked off a Cherryville pass and raced 21 yards to give the Maroon Devils a commanding 21-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.
Bowmen went back to work in the 2nd quarter. First he found Younce for another 50 yard touchdown strike. Later in the quarter he hit Seth Parker for a 22 yard touchdown pass. To finish off the quarter Bowman scored using his legs on a 22 yard scamper. Holden Petty made good on all three extra points to give Swain a 42-0 halftime lead.
Bowman would finish 4 of 6 for 188 yards on 3 touchdowns through the air. Parker had a pair of catches for 78 yards, while Younce finished with 2 catches for 110 yards.
The Maroon Devil defense limited Cherryville to 170 yards of total offense, with much of that coming in the second half. Will Paul paced the Devils with 9 tackles in one half of work. Wren Gunter tallied 7 and Ice Littlejohn 6.
With the win the Maroon Devils pushed their home playoff winning streak to 18 straight.
Swain will now hit the road, as they travel to number 4 seeded Bessemer City (8-2) for the 2nd round.