The Cass Colonels (5-3, 2-1) defeated the Hiram Hornets 34-24 on Friday night to gain playoff position in Region 7-AAAAA.
While the game ended in Cass’ favor, it did not begin that way. Cass fumbled on the very first play of the game, which gave Hiram the ball at the Colonel 18-yard line. Just five plays later, Hiram would score to gain a 7-0 advantage. The Hornets would add a field goal and a two-score lead, before Cass could regain composure.
But the game isn’t played in the game’s first five minutes.
Cass would go on to outscore Hiram 34-14 the rest of the way, but it started with a 28-yard rushing score from RB Fredi Gbadie.
In the second quarter, QB Devin Henderson connected with WR Sacovie White on a 31-yard touchdown pass to give Cass its first lead of the game 14-10 with 9:34 left in the second quarter. Henderson would find the end zone once more in the half as he scored on a 40-yard touchdown run and with just over two minutes left in the second quarter, Cass held a 21-10 lead.
But the second quarter scoring wasn’t over.
Hiram scored in 80 seconds to cut into the lead, but left Cass a minute on the clock to try to regain the advantage. Henderson was hurt on the drive, but White took over the QB position and scored on a 25-yard run to take a 28-17 lead into the second half.
Both teams traded scores in the third quarter, but following Henderson’s 9-yard touchdown run, Cass missed the PAT and held a 34-24 advantage.
Cass was content to run out the clock and its defense stymied the Hiram offense for the fourth quarter to hold onto its 10-point lead and close out any thought of a Hiram comeback.
Cass will travel to Calhoun next Friday night with kickoff set for 7:30.