The Cass Colonels (3-2) fourth-quarter comeback fell short as the Hiram Hornets pulled off a 41-27 victory Friday.

Cass opened the game strong, moving the ball with ease before Brodie McWhorter connected with Naz Fleurine for a 22-yard touchdown, putting them up 7-0 with 7:32 left in the first quarter. Hiram responded on a later drive when Kaden Hamilton broke loose for a 40-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game 7-7 late in the quarter.

Cass quickly regained the lead with a wild play as Izak Koep caught a deflected pass and carried it into the end zone, giving the Colonels a 14-7 advantage heading into the second quarter. The teams traded punts in the second quarter until Hiram found the end zone with a short 3-yard rushing touchdown, tying the score 14-14 with about three minutes left in the half.

Cass answered before halftime. McWhorter led a timely drive, hitting Elijah Slocum for a touchdown to give Cass a 21-14 lead heading into the break.

Hiram received the second-half kickoff and quickly capitalized on a big return, scoring a 10-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game 21-21 just 10:44 into the third quarter. Cass looked poised to reclaim the lead on their next drive, but a fumble in the end zone gave Hiram a chance to take control. The Hornets didn’t waste the opportunity, launching a 43-yard touchdown pass to grab their first lead of the night, 28-21, with five minutes left in the third.

Hiram extended their lead early in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard rushing touchdown to make it 35-21. Slocum kept the Colonels alive, leading a drive that ended in a touchdown, closing the gap to 35-27 with 3:38 left. However, Cass missed the PAT, leaving them in need of another touchdown and two-point conversion.

Hiram responded by breaking off a 52-yard rushing touchdown, sealing the game at 41-27. Cass’s final comeback attempt fell short, and Hiram ran out the clock to secure the home victory.

With the loss, Cass drops to 3-2 on the season. Next week, they’ll face the Cedartown Bulldogs on the road. You can stream the game on Bartow Sports Zone.