The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes (11-0, 7-0) continued their dominating play in the first round of the GHSA Class 4-A football playoffs with a 77-14 win over the Chestatee War Eagles (4-7, 1-4) Friday night.
Trevor Lawrence threw seven touchdowns in the first half, three of which went to Avery Showell, and the Canes would never look back. Cartersville had 35 first-half points, which included a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown by Trase Fezzia. Chestatee was able to get on the board with a touchdown reception thrown by Storm Yarbrough to Reggie James, who proved to be a tough receiver against the Cartersville secondary.
But as it has all season, the Cartersville defense proved tough and the first string defense would allow as many points as it scored in the first half, as Cartersville led 56-7.
The second half was quick, as a running clock was in place and several Cartersville back-ups received valuable playoff playing time to prepare for years to come.
Tee Webb threw a touchdown pass in the third quarter to Dominique Williams on a swing pass, and Cartersville fans felt their future looked as bright as their present. Webb would throw another touchdown pass, this time in the fourth quarter, to Marko Dudley to give the Canes 70 points in the contest. Not all was good from the second-team, as a punt was blocked late in the third quarter by Chestatee and returned for a touchdown.
But like it has so many times before, the Canes defense prevailed and another opponent was sent home with a loss. Cartersville will play Burke County next week at Weinman Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 7:30.