The Cass Colonels narrowly escaped the Hiram Hornets, winning a tight road matchup by a score of 28-21.

Cass’s first drive was an extended one as it took seven minutes off the game clock. Brodie McWhorter capped off this long drive by connecting with Chase Tatum for a short touchdown pass, giving the Colonels a 7-0 lead over Hiram midway through the first quarter. There wasn’t much action after this, and Cass took its 7-0 lead in the second quarter.

The Colonels had an opportunity to extend their lead to double digits midway through the second quarter, but McWhorter threw an interception, and Hiram regained possession. After this takeaway, the Hornets got into the red zone with the chance to tie the game, but Cass intercepted a pass in the back of the end zone with less than thirty seconds to go in the first half to take a 7-0 lead at the halfway mark.

Hiram began the second half with a bang, breaking off a 44-yard touchdown run to make the score 7-7 early in the third quarter, and this score would hold until the fourth quarter. On the ensuing drive, Cass got into the red zone with ease before Kalil Charles scored a 12-yard rushing touchdown to give the Colonels a 14-7 lead. At the beginning of the fourth quarter. Hiram responded to Cass quickly by scoring a 20-yard rushing touchdown to tie the score at 14-14 with 9:41 to go in the fourth quarter.

McWhorter kept the ball on an option play and ran into the end zone for a 3-yard score, giving Cass a 7-point lead late. After this, the Colonels’ defense made a huge play, forcing a fumble and giving their offense the ball back with a chance to extend their lead to double digits. Cass would take full advantage of this opportunity, as McWhorter scored a 14-yard rushing touchdown to give Cass a 28-14 lead near the end of the fourth quarter.

Hiram was desperate for a scoring drive at this point, and the Hornets would drive the ball down the field before scoring a 7-yard rushing touchdown with just a few seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to make the score 28-21. The Hornets then recovered an onside kick and tried to complete a Hail Mary to tie the score. Hiram completed a pass on the deep pass attempt, but the receiver fell short of the endzone, and Cass won the game 28-21.

Cass will host the Cedartown Bulldogs next week at 7:30. You can hear the game on Bartow Sports Zone with pregame coverage beginning at 7:00 PM