The Cass Colonels shocked the Jefferson Dragons on Friday night with a 27-17 road playoff victory. The Colonels entered the game as 30+ point underdogs.

Cass received the opening kickoff, and the Colonels wasted no time on offense, as Sacovie White hauled in a 61-yard touchdown pass from Brodie Mcwhorter to give Cass a 7-0 lead early. After a strong showing from its defense, Cass got the ball back and went up double digits as Brodie Mcwhorter connected with Jashaun Brown-Whatley for a nine-yard passing touchdown. Unfortunately, the Colonels missed the PAT. Shortly after Cass went ahead by two possessions, Jefferson threw an interception which Kevin Henderson returned for a touchdown.

Before the Jefferson faithful could get comfortable in their seats, Cass had opened up the game with 20 straight points to a hushed crowd.

On the ensuing drive, Jefferson got into the red zone and went for it on fourth and goal. Cass’ defense continued to shine, as White intercepted a pass in the endzone and returned it to around the Jefferson 40-yard line. Cass got into the red zone just a few plays later, but the Colonels failed to get into the endzone on fourth and goal. However, they would force a fumble on the Dragons’ next possession, regaining possession at the Jefferson 26-yard line.

Three plays later, Brown-Whatley scored his second touchdown of the night to put Cass ahead 27-0 with 6:54 to go in the second quarter.

Jefferson would finally score late in the quarter, throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to make the score 27-7 with a few minutes remaining in the first half. Neither team scored for the remainder of the third quarter, and Cass took its 27-7 lead into halftime. The first half was all Cass, but the second half was completely different, as Jefferson took control in an attempt to complete a 20-point comeback.

The Dragons started their comeback late in the third quarter as they recorded a safety, making the score 27-9 with just a few minutes remaining in the quarter. They scored once again at the beginning of the fourth quarter, recording an 8-yard rushing touchdown plus a two-point conversion to make the score 27-17 with 10 minutes remaining in the contest. Cass’ Devin Henderson was ejected from the game after receiving his second personal foul penalty, leaving his status next week in question per GHSA rules.

The remainder of the game was a defensive battle, and Cass was able to keep Jefferson out of the endzone to secure the 27-17 victory and move on to the second round of the playoffs.

Cass will next travel to Mays High School where the Colonels are likely to once again be heavy underdogs.