The Cass Colonels once again astonished the state with a 28-14 triumph over the Kell Longhorns in the opening round of the GHSA playoffs.

Cass initiated the game by receiving the ball. A substantial reception by Sacovie White positioned Cass at the Kell 10-yard line with a prime opportunity to score. A few plays later, Devin Henderson secured a rushing touchdown, granting Cass an early 6-0 lead after the missed PAT. Despite Kell responding with a touchdown of its own to briefly take a 7-6 lead, it marked the final instance of Kell leading in the game.

Following an unsuccessful second drive by Cass, Kell began advancing down the field. Upon reaching the red zone, Kell fumbled the ball, with Ja’Kai Baldwin recovering to give Cass possession and prevent Kell from extending its lead. Cass then marched down the field, concluding the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run by Brodie McWhorter. Although the Colonels attempted a 2-point conversion, McWhorter was sacked behind the line of scrimmage. McWhorter added another score on the subsequent drive, trotting in for a 23-yard touchdown to expand Cass’s lead.

Cass continued its defensive prowess with another takeaway. Josh Love intercepted the ball, providing Cass possession at its own 33-yard line. Despite a momentary stall when Cass threw an interception on the next play, Kell’s attempt to seize momentum backfired when a snap eluded the quarterback, resulting in a safety.

At halftime, Cass led Kell 21-7.

To commence the third quarter, Kell turned to its backup quarterback. Under pressure from the Cass defensive line, he threw an interception into the hands of Henderson. While Cass continued to thwart the Kell attack, it struggled to build momentum in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, McWhorter secured his third rushing touchdown of the night, scampering in from six yards extend the Cass advantage. Kell found the end zone for the first time since the first quarter with a touchdown run with just over a minute left in the game. But it was too little, too late as Cass prevailed 28-14.

Cass will now travel in pursuit of redemption against Mays, the team that eliminated Cass from the playoffs a year ago. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 on Friday night and can be streamed on Bartow Sports Zone online.