The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes defeated the Clarke Central Gladiators on Saturday evening 43-10.

Kendrick Price scored on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Paul Gamble on the Canes’ opening possession. In an effort to control the game early, Cartersville attempted and converted the 2-point conversion by Collin Fletcher to open up an 8-0 lead. The Gladiators moved the ball down to the Cartersville 2-yard line but were unable to score on a 4th-and-Goal and turned the ball over on downs. The remainder of the first quarter saw both defenses stand strong and limit big drives from the opposition.

Clarke Central put its first points on the board with a field goal early in the second quarter to cut into the Cartersville lead. The Canes, however, answered quickly as Gamble connected with Richard Houston on a wheel route for a 76-yard touchdown. Clarke Central answered the Cartersville score with a 75-yard drive capped with a Kendrick Curry 1-yard touchdown run to once again narrow the deficit to five points.

Cartersville, however, always seemed ready to answer once the Gladiators scored. Price took the ensuing kickoff 87 yards to the Gladiator 3-yard line. One play later, Malachi Jeffries punched it into the end zone for a 22-10 lead. That score would hold as both teams entered the half. The Gladiators were down two scores but would get the ball back to begin the second half. After failing to score, the Gladiators gave way to the Canes’ offense. Once again, a big play yielded points as Gamble connected with Jamauri Brice for a 60-yard touchdown to extend the lead for Cartersville once again.

Clarke Central continued to find itself behind the eight-ball. After forcing a Cartersville punt, Jamauri Brice had an interception. A few plays later, Gamble threw a 45-yard touchdown to Fletcher. The Canes continued to add on with a 46-yard touchdown run from Khristian Lando at the end of the third quarter.

Cartersville will next travel to Milton, Georgia to play the Cambridge Bears, who are the No. 1 seed from Region 6.