In another tough region match-up, the Cartersville Hurricanes played host to the visiting Hiram Hornets. The Hornets stopped the Canes opening drive and on their first possession of the game, drove to the end zone for a quick 7-0 lead on a rushing TD from Hamilton. Cartersville would then come back to tie the game at the end of the 1Q with a score of 7-7 when Cane QB Russell would connect with Brassfield.
Heading into the 2nd quarter, the Canes would take the lead on a 55 yd slant and run by Khristian Lando, making it 14-7. Hiram tried to put a following drive together but had to settle for a 47 yd field goal to shorten the Cane’s lead 14-10.
The Cane’s next drive would be capped off with a 35 yd Lando run, with Cartersville extending their lead to 21-10.
The Hornets were not able to put a successful drive together and settled to punt the ball away. However, on Cartersville next drive, QB Russell would have his pass picked off by Tyler of the Hiram Hornets, giving them a short field. The resulting turnover would lead to another field goal, making the score 21-13.
On the next Hurricane possession, Lando would fumble the ball to the Hornets. With time running short in the half, the Hornets put together a drive with a short fade to the back of the end zone. They opt to go for the 2pt. conversion and find their receiver to tie the game 21-21 with :03 seconds remaining in the half.
Early in the third quarter, Hiram would drive the length of the field to take the lead 28-21. The Canes would answer before the end of the quarter on a huge 65 yd run by Khristian Lando, tying the game at 28-28.
In the fourth, Cartersville would turn the ball over again as Russell pass is picked off at their own 35yd line. Hiram immediately punished the Canes for that mistake, quickly driving into the end zone on a 23yd toss to Tyler with a little more than 6 minutes remaining. However, the missed PAT would make the score 34-28 in favor of the Hornets.
Cartersville, gaining key first downs and marching down the field with the help of running back Houston, the Canes found themselves inside the red zone with just under 3 minutes remaining. Houston would leave the game with an injury with Lando coming back to the field. The drive would end on a 2yd rush into the end zone by Lando to give the Canes the lead with the successful PAT, 35-34.
The Hornets still had 2 time outs and over 2 and 1/2 minutes left, but the Canes were able to stop a 4th and 2 attempt and took the ball back over in Hiram territory. Needing at least one first down to be able to run out the clock, it was Lando once again who found a way to squirt through the line to gain the first down. Showing immense presence of mind, rather than score and give Hiram 2:00 minutes to orchestrate a drive, Lando downed himself short of the goal.
The Canes lined up in victory formation for two snaps and end the game undefeated at 7-0 with the final score of 35-34.
Cartersville will next play the Woodland Wildcats on Thursday, October 19th from the bank of the Etowah River.