The Cass Colonels (8-2, 5-1) clinched a thrilling 22-19 victory over the Allatoona Buccaneers (3-7, 2-4), sealed by a late touchdown run from Kalil Charles.
The game started slowly, with both teams punting on their opening drives, eating up most of the first quarter. Cass broke the deadlock on their second possession when Charles ignited the offense with a 45-yard run, setting up his own 3-yard touchdown scamper. A missed extra point left the score at 6-0 with 3:13 remaining in the first quarter.
Allatoona’s offense stalled, and Cass carried their lead into the second quarter.The Buccaneers responded early in the second, nailing a 40-yard field goal to trim Cass’s lead to 6-3 with 10:37 left. Undeterred, Cass struck back. QB Brodie McWhorter scrambled and found Chase Tatum for a 24-yard touchdown pass. Tatum then powered in a two-point conversion, pushing the Colonels’ lead to 14-3 with 8:14 to go in the half. Allatoona answered immediately, returning the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 14-10. Both defenses tightened, but Allatoona crept closer with a 30-yard field goal, making it 14-13 with two minutes left in the half.
The Buccaneers got another chance to take the lead before halftime, but a Cass interception preserved the Colonels’ slim 14-13 advantage at the break.The third quarter was a defensive slugfest, with neither team finding the end zone or adding points. Cass clung to their one-point lead into the fourth. Early in the final quarter, Allatoona flipped the script with a stunning 98-yard touchdown run, taking a 19-14 lead after a failed two-point try.As time ticked away, Cass’s hopes dimmed, but Charles refused to let the game slip.
With 3:40 remaining, he broke free for a 40-yard touchdown run, reclaiming the lead at 20-19. A successful two-point conversion extended the advantage to 22-19. The Colonels’ defense then stood tall, stopping Allatoona and allowing Cass to run out the clock, securing a hard-fought road victory.
Cass will next look forward to the GHSA State Playoffs as the No. 2 seed from Region 7-AAAA and will match up against the No. 3 seed from Region 4-AAAA.