The Cass Colonels (3-5, 2-4) lost a hard fought game to the Paulding County Patriots (4-4, 3-3) on Friday night by a score of 30-24. The game starting off with some high flying offense.
On the first play of the game’s opening drive, Cass’ Terry Berdin went 60 yards to put Cass on top 7-0 just 19 seconds into the game. Paulding County had some offense up its sleeve as well as the Patriots scored just two plays later on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Brantley Mauldin. Less than a minute into the football game, the score was tied at seven a piece. Despite 14 points being on the board in less than a minute, both offenses would stall several times until the second half.
Cass got back on the board when Brett Gaddy connected with Ian Whittington for an 8-yard score to put the Colonels back on top 14-7. The back-and-forth affair would continue, as Paulding County would score on a broken play. Deonte Ruffin would score on a 56-yard pass that included a double reverse, and the Patriots were once again even with the Colonels at 14.
Just before the second half, the Patriots faced a 4th and Goal from the Cass 15-yard line. Instead of electing to kick the field goal, Paulding County drew up a pass that was stopped short at the Cass 6-yard line. Both teams would head into the half tied at 14 apiece.
The Cass defense would make the first big play of the second half as Chance Scrutchins would force a fumble for the Cass offense to set-up shop at the Patriots 30-yard line. Thomas Gilliam would score on a 4-yard run and the Cass offense was able to take advantage of a Paulding County turnover. Cass would then get an interception by Cameron Gonyea and take over at the Paulding County 25. Unfortunately, the Cass offense would turn the ball over and Paulding County would take over deep in its own territory.
The turnover game was not over as Cameron Gonyea would get his second interception in as many drives, but the Colonel offense would stall as fourth quarter play began.
Cass had a punt blocked, which set up Paulding County at the Cass 7-yard line trailing 21-14. Mauldin would score on a 1-yard run to knot the game at 21. Cass would march down the field and score on a 24-yard field goal with about four minutes left in the game to give the Colonels a 24-21. With time running out, Paulding County would need some help and the Colonel defense obliged.
Thanks to two pass interference penalties on the drive, the Patriots would march down the field and score on a 15-yard pass and would take its first lead of the game 28-24 with 1:49 left in the contest. Cass got the ball at its own 20 and would have less than two minutes to drive 80 yards. The Colonels would move backward and 20 yards later were downed in the end zone for a safety. The Colonels would then line up for an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff.
With just over 40 seconds left, Cass would recover the onside attempt and would take over at its 32-yard line. Unfortunately, the Colonels would get no further as a game ending interception was forced by Paulding County.
Cass will next travel to Villa Rica (4-5, 3-4) next week at 7:30 PM.