Charleston ends drought against Hayti with 46-26 homecoming win

CHARLESTON, Mo. — The homecoming crowd had every reason to celebrate as Charleston secured a 46-46 win over Hayti at John Harris Marshall Field on Friday, September 29.

The Bluejays (2-4) shattered an eight-game losing streak against the Indians (0-5), marking their first victory in the series since 2013.

Hayti started the evening off with a bang. On the team’s first play from scrimmage, freshman quarterback J.C. Ford connected with Isaiah Love for a 63-yard touchdown pass just 15 seconds into the game, putting the visitors up 6-0. Love also added a 19-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Charleston's Zachyran Thomas (31) runs�during a 43-0 loss at Vic Reaves Athletic Field in Portageville, Missouri on Friday, September 22, 2023.�Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Ford ended the evening completing 20 passes on 38 attempts for 267 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Jeremey Alexander and Love on the scores.

A fumble by the Bluejays on their first possession would hand the ball right back to the Indians, but four plays later Bluejays linebacker Zachyran Thomas intercepted a pass in the endzone, running the ball out to the three-yard line. 

Charleston put together a 97-yard scoring drive with Ko’Terrion Owens scampering into the endzone on a 3-yard run.

Charleston's TJ Farries (22) runs�during a 43-0 loss at Vic Reaves Athletic Field in Portageville, Missouri on Friday, September 22, 2023.�Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“I love to do everything for my team to get either a first down or just one yard,” Owens said. “I will do whatever it takes.”

Owens wreaked havoc on the Indians defense completing eight passes for 181 yards while rushing for 148 yards, the senior quarterback picked up four rushing touchdowns while adding one passing. 

“He is our offensive captain for a reason,” said Charleston coach Justin Hutchings. “He keeps calm, cool and everyone positive. He is a great leader and he doesn’t want to go down. He wants every yard for his team, I want all my guys to be like No. 9.”

Charleston led at halftime 24-20.

“At the end of the first half, I was extremely upset with how we handled a lot of things,” Hutchings said. “We had two ejections that were extremely uncalled for, that is not how we play as a team. We were up at half and it wasn’t a good 24-20, it was really sloppy. I said a few words in the locker room and we came out and fixed it.”

Bluejays receiving core Byron Jones, J Robinson, Kaden Branum, Deshaun Henderson and Tayshon Clark all caught passes with Clark scoring the lone touchdown.

“Coach Hutching said he wanted more out of us, so I had to do better for my team,” Owens said. “We do things every day in practice and just have to execute in the game, we have to work hard in the first half and can’t wait until the second half.”

There were five other Bluejays who carried the ball for an additional 77 rushing yards on 19 carries.

Zachyran Thomas and Clark each had one interception.

Offensively the Indian managed to gain 42 yards on the ground with Love, Ford and Thomas Hightower all carrying the ball.  

“We only had one win, but in two of our games we lost by a combined score of four,” Hutchings concluded. “So we have been in it every single game. We have just been waiting to put it all together.”

Both teams will be back in action on Thursday, October 5. Charleston will travel to Caruthersville (3-3), while Hayti hosts Kelly (5-1).