The Cass Colonels (0-2) fell to the Rockmart Yellow Jackets 24-23 on Friday night.

Once again, the Colonels struggled with turnovers. On the opening drive of the game, the Colonels threw an interception after moving the football successfully. Rockmart drove down the field and connected on a field goal to take an early lead. Cass then drove the ball into the red zone, but fumbled the ball away. Just like last week, it appeared the Colonels might be the reason of their own misfortune. Rockmart’s Nahzir TurnerΒ scored on a 12-yard touchdown run to give the Yellow Jackets a 10-0 lead with about seven minutes left in the first half.

Cass needed to answer. Time was running out and the Colonels were almost six quarters into a new season without a touchdown. They did just that.

The Colonels drove the ball 80 yards and capped the drive with a 23-yard rushing score from Devin Henderson. Rockmart drove the ball deep inside Cass territory and attempted a field goal. The Cass special teams unit blocked the field goal and took the ball all the way to the Rockmart 35-yard line with just seven seconds left. Cass had two shots to score, but were not able to convert.

Still, the Colonels had to let out a sigh of relief by getting the touchdown monkey off their back.

The Colonels allowed a big return to open up the third quarter, but a Rockmart penalty kept the Yellow Jackets from scoring. Rockmart couldn’t get much traction against the Cass defense and missed a field goal. After a few punts, the Cass defense made another play. Cass recovered a fumble, which would lead to a 21-yard field goal by Austin McArthur. The Colonels had fought back and tied the game.

Rockmart wasn’t done, however. The Yellow Jackets started possession at midfield after an excellent kickoff return. Brent Washington put the ball in the end zone on a 1-yard rush to cap off the 50-yard drive.

Once again, Cass needed to answer. It trailed by a touchdown as the fourth quarter got underway. The Colonels chewed up 70 yards in six minutes and capped the drive off with a 27-yard rushing score from Henderson. With 6:56 left in the game, the Cass defense was tasked with stopping the Yellow Jacket attack. Aided by some ill-timed penalties, Rockmart went down the field in five minutes and scored on a 12-yard rush from Washington – his second of the game.

With just under two minutes left, Cass had to drive 72 yards. Cass benefited from a roughing the passer call early in the drive and was quickly in Rockmart territory. With time running out, Brodie McWhorter connected with Sacovie White for a 28-yard touchdown. Instead of tying the game and playing for overtime, Coach Steve Gates elected to go for two.

The ball was snapped to Henderson who looked for a jump pass, but Rockmart defended it well. He then looked to run with the ball, but lanes were blocked. Finally, in a last ditch effort, he tried to toss the ball into the end zone, but it was batted away.

Rockmart had survived and Cass was still in search of its elusive first win of the season.

Cass will look to get into the win column next week as it travels to Drew High School in Riverdale for a 5:00 PM kickoff on Saturday. You can stream the game online by going to Bartow Sports Zone.