The Cass girls' basketball team defeated visiting Lithonia Friday night 73-17 in a non-region contest. Mikaela Jackson led the Lady Colonels with 19 points. Olivia Woods and Cadie Paez followed with 14 each. KK Evans scored seven points. Dariana Sosa contributed five. Kiana McDaniel finished with four points. Kaitlyn Godwin tossed in three and Sumerlyn Smith added two points. McDaniel added eight rebounds, six steals, and five assists. Reese Howard contributed three assists and three steals. The loss dropped Lithonia to 1-3 on the season. The Lady Colonels (2-0) host Paulding County Monday at 2:30 p.m.

The Adairsville Tigers committed five turnovers Friday night and were held to their lowest rushing total of the season in a 45-20 Class AAA second round state playoff loss at home to Oconee County. The visiting Warriors build a 31-0 lead less than one minute into the third quarter and led 45-7 late in the fourth quarter before the Tigers added two touchdowns in the final 58 seconds. The Warriors led 10-0 after one quarter on a 59-yard touchdown pass and a 32-yard field goal. In the second period, the visitors added two more touchdowns. The Warriors punched in a short touchdown run following an Adairsville muffed punt to go ahead 17-0 with 10:20 remaining in the half and added a 37-yard touchdown pass with 2:46 left to carry a 24-0 lead to the intermission. An interception and return for a touchdown by Oconee’s Whit Weeks gave the Warriors a 31-0 lead just 19 seconds into the second half. On Adairsville’s ensuing possession, the Tigers finally got on the scoreboard. Chris Roper broke free on a long run to set up a Jonathan Gough to Evan Sanders touchdown pass. The touchdown made the score 31-7 with 6:58 to go in the third quarter. The Warriors answered with a 34-yard rushing touchdown and another short rushing touchdown to build a 45-7 advantage. In the final minute of the fourth quarter, Adairsville added two touchdowns by Roper. The first came on a short run after the Tigers had blocked a punt. Then after a successful onside kick recovery, Roper, who rushed for 153 yards in the game, scored on a 47-yard scamper as the game clock expired. No PAT was attempted leaving a 45-20 final score. Oconee County (8-4) advances to the Class AAA quarterfinals and will travel to play at Carver-Columbus. Adairsville finishes the 2022 season with a 10-2 record and a Region 6-AAA title.

The Excel Christian Academy boys defeated Heirway Christian Academy Thursday night 63-54 at The Church at Liberty Square while the Excel girls dropped a 21-9 decision to visiting Johnson Ferry Christian Academy. In the boys’ win, the Eagles led at each quarter stop and held off Heirway down the stretch. Excel led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter; 34-26 at halftime; and 48-41 through three quarters. Jakaden Barkley led Excel with 16 points. Kyron McClendon followed with 13. Jacob Taylor and Comari Nettles scored nine each. Trey Webb and Christian Viera contributed six points each while David Jinks and Kamarion Proffit both added two. Dylan Ross led Heirway Christian (1-4) with 11 points. Excel (3-0, 1-0 GAPPS Region 1-AA-D1) faces Oconee County Monday at the Gordon Central Holiday Tournament. The Excel girls managed only two points in the first half in their 21-9 loss to Johnson Ferry Christian. Amanda Davidson scored three for ECA. Chae Viera, Clara Holley, and Savannah Viera added two points each. The Lady Eagles are scheduled to host Rockmart at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

The Woodland boys outdueled Coosa in overtime Thursday night in Rome to earn the Wildcats’ first win of the season, 52-50. Brelace Wiliams, who led the Wildcats with 19 points, made a shot at the buzzer in overtime for the winning basket. Isaiah Livsey scored 14 points. Jackson Christiana followed with 12. Zyon Heath and David Byars added four and three points, respectively for Woodland. The Wildcats led 16-11 after the opening eight minutes and held a 29-27 lead at the intermission. The host Eagles led 41-39 after three quarters and the game went to overtime tied 48-48. Coosa (0-1) was led by Joseph Richardson’s 16 points. Josh Dixon scored 11 and DJ Hames added 10 for the Eagles. Woodland (1-1) plays at Christian Heritage in Dalton Monday night at 7:30 p.m. COOSA 31, WOODLAND GIRLS 29 The Woodland girls took a 21-16 lead into the fourth quarter, but Coosa rallied down the stretch to defeat the Lady Cats 31-29 Thursday night in Rome. Coosa led 14-13 at halftime, but the Lady Cats grabbed a five-point lead by the end of the third period. Abby Jacobs led the Lady Eagles (1-0) with 15 points. Riyah Manley followed with seven points and Brooke McClellan finished with five points for Coosa. Megan Schultz led Woodland with 14 points. Morgan Echols scored six. Reagan Weightman contributed five points. Kasidee Wall finished with three and Bailee Motes added one point. “We need to learn to do the little things on both ends of the floor to win these close games,” said Lady Cats head coach Kyle Morgan after the game. “The kids played hard, played together, and they will improve as the season goes on. We just need more consistency.” The Lady Cats (0-2) play at Christian Heritage Monday night at 6 p.m.

The Cass High School boys’ basketball team opened the 2022-23 season Tuesday night with a 59-54 home loss to the Creekview Grizzlies. The Colonels played the game without seven players on the roster who are still involved with the football team in the playoffs or are missing due to injury. Creekview led 18-15 after one quarter and held a 31-26 advantage at the intermission. The Grizzlies extended their lead to 48-41 in the third quarter and held of the Colonels late for a five-point win. Luke Godwill led Creekview (1-0) with 18 points. Luke Jack followed with 17 and Nolan Tricker also reached double figures with 10 points for the visitors. Jayden Foster paced the Colonels with 23 points. He scored 19 in the second half. K.J. Rogers scored 16 points for Cass — all in the first half. Isaiah Ford followed with six; D.J. Sams chipped in three; Jakai Baldwin and Tom Brannon added two apiece. Cass (0-1) will return to action against Midtown High School Saturday at 5 p.m. at Roswell High School.

The Excel Christian Academy basketball teams split a pair of home games Tuesday night with Oakwood Christian Academy of Chickamauga. The games were played at The Church at Liberty Square. The Excel boys blew past the visiting Oakwood Eagles 86-45 while the Excel girls dropped a 57-18 decision. OAKWOOD CHRISTIAN GIRLS 57, EXCEL CHRISTIAN 18 The Oakwood Christian Academy girls jumped out to a 22-0 lead after one quarter and were never threatened in a 57-18 win at Excel Christian Academy Tuesday night. Manna Gilchrist led Oakwood with 14 points. Chae Viera paced ECA with 10 points. Amanda Danson followed with six and Makayla Malone scored four points for Excel. Oakwood starts its season 1-0. The Excel girls (0-2) host Johnson Ferry Christian Academy Thursday at 6 p.m. EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 86, OAKWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 45 Jakaden Barkley led three Eagles in double figures with 23 points as Excel Christian beat the visiting Oakwood Christian Academy Eagles 86-45 Tuesday night at The Church at Liberty Square. Jacob Taylor scored 19 points and Comari Nettles finished with 11 for the hosts. Matthew Viera scored nine; Kamarion Profitt seven; Kyron McClendon six; David Jinks five; and Trey Webb, Christian Viera, and Kohl Williams added two points each for Excel. ECA led 26-14 after the opening eight minutes and held a 53-24 lead at the intermission on their way to a 41-point win. Garrett Dempsey led OCA with 10 points. Joseph Dawson and John McDonough followed with eight points each. The Excel boys (2-0) host Heirway Christian Academy Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The Cartersville High School Competition Cheer team finished their 2022 season as the GHSA Class AAAAA State Runner-Up this past Saturday in Columbus. The Canes completed an undefeated regular season, they were the Region 7-AAAAA champions, and Class 5A State Runner-Up. The team roster included: Brylie Bohn, Gracie Brown, Ginger Bunce, Jayla Byrd, Ashton Cagle, Lydia Childers, Teghan Davis, Emerie Elrod, Karley Garrison, Carli Godfrey, Elizabeth Hardy, Addy Heath, Caslynn Holcombe, Sarah Krause, Karen Landaverde, Baylie Lubben, Isabella Norwood, Ava Poole, Jacey Tant, Annaston Wilson, and Kalee Wyatt.

Cartersville resident and Syracuse goalkeeper, Russell Shealy, was named MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Sunday as the Orange won the league title and will hold home pitch advantage in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Elsewhere, Bartow County athletes contributed with their respective programs this past week in football, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, and basketball. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (2nd yr. pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … was 29-for-40 passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns Sunday in a 27-17 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs. Lawrence also rushed for 26 yards on four attempts. His first touchdown pass was to Christian Kirk from 3 yards out with 0:11 remaining in the first half. The second touchdown pass was also to Kirk from 19 yards with 5:26 left in the game. The Jaguars (3-7) host the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, November 27. COLLEGE FOOTBALL KOLBE BENHAM — Marist College (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a tackle on kickoff coverage in the third quarter this past Saturday in the Red Foxes’ 45-24 home loss to Valparaiso. Marist (4-6, 4-4 Pioneer Football League) travels to Bucknell Saturday afternoon. BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … had four carries for 50 yards including a 41-yard run for a touchdown late in the third quarter as the 9th-ranked Eagles won at Union College (KY) 40-0. Reinhardt (8-1, 5-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) was selected for the 16-team NAIA National Championship playoffs as a No. 9-seed. They face Lindsey Wilson (Kentucky) in the first round. JONATHAN CRUZ — University of Mississippi (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made a 22-yard field goal and all three of his PAT kicks in the 14th-ranked Rebels’ 30-24 loss to 8th-ranked Alabama last Saturday night. Two of his five kickoffs were for touchbacks. Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) travels to Arkansas this Saturday night. CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Syracuse University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … rushed one time for seven yards and had his only pass attempt intercepted last Saturday in a 38-3 home loss to 20th-ranked Florida State. It was the fourth straight loss for the Orange. Syracuse (6-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) plays at Wake Forest Saturday night. JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … made four tackles including one tackle for loss. He also added one quarterback hurry in the Blue Raiders’ 24-14 home conference win over Charlotte last Saturday. MTSU (5-5, 2-4 Conference USA) entertains Florida Atlantic Saturday afternoon. DYLAN FORMAN — Shorter University (Sr., Woodland HS) … made three tackles last Saturday in the Hawks’ 30-28 loss at Valdosta State. Shorter’s season ends with a 3-8 record overall and 1-6 in the Gulf South Conference. JONAH GAMBILL — University of Memphis (So., Cartersville HS) … an offensive line starter in the Tigers’ 26-10 home win over Tulsa last Thursday night. Memphis rushed for 79 yards and passed for 262 in the conference victory. Memphis (5-5, 3-2 American Athletic Conference) steps out of conference Saturday to host North Alabama. JaCOREY JOHNS — Wake Forest University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … had three sacks and finished with six total tackles last Saturday in the Demon Deacons’ 36-34 home loss last Saturday night to No. 13 North Carolina. Johns was also credited with one quarterback hurry. Wake Forest (6-4, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts Syracuse this Saturday night. TITUS JONES — Colorado State University (R-Jr., Woodland HS) … saw action but recorded no stat line last Saturday in a 14-13 loss to visiting Wyoming. CSU (2-8, 2-4 Mountain West Conference) will look to snap a three-game losing skid Saturday at Air Force. LaKWAYME JUPITER — North Carolina Wesleyan (So., Cartersville HS) … moved from the defensive line to play offensive guard last Saturday for the Battling Bishops in a 35-14 win at Greensboro College. Wesleyan compiled 309 yards in total offense including 181 rushing in the victory. The Bishops finished the year 3-8 overall and 3-4 in the USA South Athletic Conference. JAKE PARKER — Hutchinson (KS) CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action on the defensive side of the ball last Saturday and made one tackle in the top-ranked Dragons’ 29-28 win at Iowa Western CC. Hutchinson (10-0, 6-0 Kansas Jayhawks Community College Conference) is expected to host an NJCAA semifinal on December 3 but the selection of the national semifinalists won’t be released until November 21. ANDREW NGUYEN — Berry College (Fr., Cass HS) … made one tackle in the second quarter last Saturday as the Vikings beat visiting Hendrix College 55-8. Berry finished the regular season 7-3 with a 5-2 mark in the Southern Athletic Association. SAM PHILLIPS — UT-Chattanooga (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a career-high 11 receptions last Saturday for 163 yards in the 12th-ranked Mocs’ 35-24 loss to visiting 9th-ranked Samford. He added one rush for no yards and one kickoff return for 16 yards. Chattanooga (7-3, 5-2 Southern Conference) plays Saturday at Western Carolina. JACOB RAY — Berry College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a pair of catches for a total of 18 yards last Saturday as the Vikings routed visiting Hendrix College, 55-8. The Vikings finished the regular season 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Southern Athletic Association. COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … saw action but recorded no stats last Saturday in a 27-24 loss at Newberry College. The Lions won the Mountain Division of their conference and finished the regular season 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Southern Athletic Conference. EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (So., Cartersville HS) … made a career-high nine tackles and broke up one pass last Saturday night in a 36-34 home loss to 20th-ranked North Carolina. The Deacons (6-4, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) host Syracuse Saturday night. BRANDON WADE — University of West Florida (Grad Student, Cartersville HS) … made one solo tackle last Saturday in the Argonauts’ 56-21 win at Mississippi College. The Argos (9-1, 6-1 Gulf South Conference) were selected for the NCAA D-II National Championship playoffs and will host Limestone Saturday at 1 p.m. VOLLEYBALL MARIA PILIPOSYANS — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … totaled 12 kills and 12 blocks as the Eagles’ finished 1-1 at their conference tournament in Kingsport, Tennessee. Reinhardt finished the regular season with a 19-13 record. SOCCER RUSSELL SHEALY — Syracuse University (R-Sr., Cartersville resident, Darlington HS) … was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Tournament team and was named tournament MVP as the Orange won the league championship with a 2-0 win over Clemson this past Sunday afternoon. Syracuse advanced to the conference finals with home wins over North Carolina the previous Sunday 1-0 and over 11th-ranked Virginia last Wednesday night on penalty kicks. In the semifinal win, Shealy made four saves in regulation as the match went to penalty kicks tied 2-2 and was won 5-3 on PKs. Shealy also had four saves in the finals win over 18th-ranked Clemson Sunday. The Orange advance to the 2022 NCAA Men’s Championship Tournament as the No. 3 national seed. That means Syracuse will host the first three rounds as long as they continue. The Orange (14-2-4) received a first-round bye and will host the Rutgers/Penn winner Sunday. WRESTLING COLE COCHRAN — UT-Chattanooga (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 3-2 at The Citadel Open last weekend and won his portion of the consolation bracket competing in the 157 pound division. Up next for the Mocs is a quad-meet Sunday at Purdue where they will also face Northern Illinois and Cleveland State. CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Fr., Woodland HS) … wrestling in the 149-pound division last Friday, Henson defeated Sammy Sasso of Ohio State with a takedown in sudden victory to win by decision, 5-3. The Hokies lost to the Buckeyes on the team scoreboard, however, 18-13. Virginia Tech travels to Philadelphia Sunday for the Keystone Classic where Penn, Drexel, Appalachian State, Arizona State, George Mason, Duke, Rider, Franklin & Marshall, Sacred Heart, and Harvard will also compete. BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall (Fr., Cass HS) … lost in his opening round and finished 1-2 in the 141-pound bracket of the Jonathan Kaloust Bearcat Open at Binghamton University. Up next for the Diplomats is the Millersville Shorty Hitchcock Memorial Classic Saturday and the Keystone Classic in Philadelphia Sunday. QUESTAPHA LEWIS — Midway University (So., Woodland HS) … was a competitor at the 133-pound weight class as the Eagles participated in the Grand View Open last Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. Midway heads to the Life Open Saturday in Marietta. JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Fr., Woodland HS) … was runner-up in the 197-pound division at the University of Missouri’s Tiger Style Invitational last weekend in Kansas City. He had pinfall wins over opponents from Arkansas-Little Rock and Illinois before falling to Bernie Truax of Cal Poly 3-0 in the finals. The Terrapins wrestle Friday night at 18th-ranked Pittsburgh. JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (So., Cartersville HS) … competing in the 174-pound class of the freshman/sophomore division at the Grand View Open, Williams won two of four bouts. He recorded a pinfall against his opponent from St. Ambrose (Iowa) and a 16-5 major decision over his opponent from Missouri Baptist. In the championship quarterfinals, the former Hurricane suffered a major decision loss to an opponent from Iowa State and a major decision loss to his opponent from Brewton-Parker College. Midway competes at Life University Saturday. BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … through the Vikings’ first three games, Benham has averaged 10 points, four rebounds, 5.5 assists, and two steals as Berry defeated Huntingdon College (86-66) at home and won last Saturday at LaGrange (88-83) Saturday and at Huntingdon Sunday (79-63). Next for the Vikings (3-0) is a home game Tuesday against Belhaven University (Mississippi) and a home game Saturday afternoon against Warren Wilson College (North Carolina). DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Jr., Woodland HS) … scored 18 points in both of the Rams’ games last week at Milligan and at Tennessee Wesleyan — both losses. He also totaled 12 rebounds in each game. CIU (1-3, 1-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts St. Andrews University Tuesday night and Bryan College (TN) Saturday. T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (So., Cartersville HS) … coming off the Chargers’ bench, Horton scored one point with four rebounds and one steal last Friday night in a 92-82 home loss to Chipola College. He also scored 12 points with three steals and three rebounds in a 94-70 home win over Calhoun CC. Georgia Highlands also lost Saturday to Gulf Coast State CC but boxscore information was not available at the time of this release. Georgia Highlands (1-2) plays at Calhoun CC Monday night and will play in Florida Friday and Saturday against Gulf Coast State and Chipola in the Milton Johnson Classic at Chipola College. HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Cass HS) … did not score, but collected a total of five rebounds and one steal in three games last week. The Titans beat Southern Union State CC 56-54, lost to South Georgia Tech 80-30, and fell to Chipola College 87-46. CGTCC (1-4) also had a loss to Gulf Coast State but boxscore information was not available at the time of this release. The Titans play at Albany Tech Wednesday before hosting Chattahoochee Valley CC Saturday. JAYLON PUGH — Lander University (Grad Student, Cartersville HS) … came off the bench and scored 18 points with three rebounds, two assists, and three steals last Friday in an 81-76 home win over Anderson (SC) University. He did not score but had two rebounds Saturday in a 104-78 victory at home against Southern Wesleyan. Lander (2-0) hosts Erskine College Wednesday night and Wingate University Saturday. ABIGAIL TAYLOR — Centre College (Fr., Woodland HS) … saw her first collegiate action last Saturday in a 74-47 win by the Colonels over Ferrum College (Virginia). She played three minutes and grabbed one rebound. She then received two minutes of playing time Sunday but had no stat line in a 54-34 loss to Bridgewater College (Virginia). Both games were part of the Ferrum Classic. Centre (1-1) hosts the Hampton Inn Classic Friday and Saturday where they will play Spalding University (Kentucky) and Asbury College (Kentucky). JORDAN THOMPSON — Southwestern Iowa CC (So., Woodland HS) … in three losses last week to Metropolitan CC, Johnson County CC, and Fort Scott CC, Thompson totaled 51 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. The Spartans (1-3) return to the hardwood Saturday at North Central Missouri CC. LONDAISHA SMITH — Alderson Broaddus University (So., Cass HS) … started and recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the Battlers' season-opening 83-67 win over Shepherd last Friday in Frostburg, Maryland. She also scored 10 points with five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in an 84-71 loss Saturday to University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Alderson Broaddus (1-1) hosts Salem University Wednesday night and West Liberty Saturday afternoon to begin Mountain East Conference play. NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … in a pair of starts against Sewanee-University of the South last Saturday and Berry College Sunday, Washington scored 29 points and had 11 rebounds. Sunday’s performance was a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards. She also finished with six assists, four steals, and a pair of blocks in the 80-70 win. Piedmont (2-0) will face University of Lynchburg and Emory University this Saturday and Sunday as part of the Emory Classic in Atlanta.

The Woodland High basketball teams lost their opening games last Friday night at East Paulding with the Lady Cats falling 37-30 and the Wildcats losing 57-42. The Lady Cats trailed 11-1 at the end of the first quarter and were behind by 15 points at halftime. Woodland trailed by as many as 20 in the third quarter before limiting the host Lady Raiders to just three points over the final 11 minutes of the game. Reagan Weightman led the Lady Cats with nine points. Megan Schultz and Kasidee Wall followed with seven points apiece. The Woodland boys trailed East Paulding 11-5 after one quarter and were behind 30-15 at halftime before playing the Raiders even in the second half. Zyon Heath led three Woodland players in double figures with 13 points. He added six rebounds. Isaiah Livsey and Brelace Williams followed with 12 points and seven boards each. The Lady Cats (0-1) and Wildcats (0-1) play at Coosa Thursday night with the girls tipping at 6 p.m.

The Cass Colonels built a 27-0 lead through the first 17 minutes Saturday night at Region 8-5A champion Jefferson and held on to slay the Dragons, 27-17, in the first round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs at Jefferson Memorial Stadium. Freshman quarterback Brodie McWhorter tossed three touchdown passes in the first half and the Colonels’ defense came up with several key stops to help secure the victory. Cass also took advantage of four Jefferson turnovers. Cass started at its own 35-yard line after the opening kickoff sailed out of bounds. On the second play from scrimmage, McWhorter hit a streaking Sacovie White for a 61-yard touchdown giving the Colonels a 7-0 lead just 45 seconds into the game. Saul Viella added the PAT kick. On the next Cass possession, the Colonels drove 86 yards for a touchdown. The key play of the drive was a 47-yard pass reception by Devin Henderson. Two plays later, McWhorter found an open Jashaun Brown-Whatley for a 9-yard touchdown. The PAT kick failed, but Cass held a 13-0 lead with 4:02 remaining in the first quarter. The first Jefferson turnover added to the Colonels’ lead. Kevin Henderson, playing with a cast on his broken hand, batted a Jefferson pass into the air, caught it, and returned it 22 yards for a third Cass touchdown. Viella’s kick had Cass up, 20-0 with 2:07 left in the opening quarter. McWhorter’s second touchdown pass to Brown-Whatley enabled the Colonels to again score points off a Dragons’ turnover. Following a Jefferson fumble at their own 26-yard line, it took Cass just three plays to score. An 11-yard pass from McWhorter to Brown-Whatley had Cass up 27-0 with 6:54 remaining in the second quarter. Jefferson finally got on the scoreboard with their next possession. Dragons’ quarterback Max Aldridge marched Jefferson 58-yards on 11 plays. A 7-yard touchdown pass from Aldridge to Talan Childress capped the drive with 2:59 remaining in the first half. Owen Butts made the PAT to make the score 27-7 at halftime. The game evolved into more of a defensive struggle in the second half. The Colonels remained pinned by poor field possession for the bulk of the third quarter. With 4:16 left in the third quarter, Jefferson got on the scoreboard again with a safety. A punt snap got away from Viella and he was forced to fall on the loose ball in the endzone with 4:16 to go in the third quarter. The miscue reduced the Cass lead to 27-9. The Dragons added the game’s final points early in the fourth quarter. Sammy Brown culminated the drive with 10:39 remaining. His 6-yard touchdown run was followed by a Logan Jefferson two-point conversion run that made the score 27-17. Down the stretch of the fourth quarter there were numerous key plays for the Colonels on both sides of the ball. Mac Nelson had a pair of crucial runs to keep a drive alive and allowed Cass to take minutes off the clock before turning the ball back over to the Dragons. Brown-Whatley had a catch for a first down in the fourth quarter and — after Jefferson took over on downs with 2:59 to play — sophomore defensive lineman Kaden Ellis had a sack and wreaked havoc in the middle. The season ends for Jefferson with an 8-3 record. Cass (5-6) advances to play Mays in the second round. The Raiders eliminated Centennial Saturday night, 44-16.

Cartersville senior quarterback Paul Gamble threw four touchdown passes Saturday night as the Purple Hurricanes handled Clarke Central 43-10 in the opening round of the Class 5A state playoffs at Weinman Stadium. Gamble tossed a 66-yard touchdown to Kendrick Price for the Canes first touchdown in the first quarter. Collin Fletcher ran in a two-point conversion that gave Cartersville an 8-0 lead. The Gladiators drove down the field on their next possession, but a fourth down, incomplete pass in the end zone ended the visitors’ chance to score. After exchanges of punts, the Gladiators drove to scoring position again, but settled for a short field goal to make the score 8-3 near the midway point of the second quarter. On the Canes’ ensuing possession, Gamble connected with Richard Houston for a 76-yard touchdown pass and a 15-3 lead after Ryan Johnson’s PAT kick. Three minutes later, Clarke Central narrowed the Canes’ lead to 15-10 with a Kendrick Curry touchdown run. The Glads’ score came with just over four minutes remaining in the first half. Malachi Jeffries scored next for the Canes on a two-yard rushing touchdown. His run extended the Cartersville lead to 22-10 at halftime. The Hurricanes added to their lead early in the third quarter. After stopping Clarke Central on downs, Gamble hit Jamauri Brice with a 60-yard touchdown strike to build a 29-10 Cartersville lead. Late in the third quarter, Romo Pace picked off a Gladiators’ pass and returned it for a touchdown to give the Canes a 36-10 advantage. Khristian Lando broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the third quarter. His scoring jaunt pushed the Cartersville lead to 43-10 and set up a running clock fourth quarter that yielded no more scoring plays. Clarke Central finished the year with a 5-6 record. Cartersville (10-1), ranked No. 3 in Class 5A, travels to Cambridge next Friday night for the second round of the playoffs. Cambridge (9-2), the Region 6-5A champions, defeated Jackson 27-20 in the first round.

The Adairsville Tigers started fast Saturday afternoon and controlled the action most of the day in a 55-20 home, Class AAA first round playoff game over the Douglass Astros. Placekicker Arthur Lefler kicked the Tigers to an opening possession with an onside kick and recovery on his own on the opening kickoff of the game. Ninety-one seconds later, Ethan Blome scored on a six-yard run to cap a five-play drive. Cooper Souders’ PAT gave the Tigers an early 7-0 lead. Douglass came right back down the field. The Astros needed just four plays scoring on a 40-yard touchdown run by Antoine Walker with 9:41 to go in the first quarter. The Douglass PAT kick failed. Chris Roper’s ensuing kickoff return to the Adairsville 40-yard line gave the Tigers great field position. Runs by Blome, Roper, and quarterback Jonathan Gough moved Adairsville into scoring position. Roper scored on a direct snap with 7:04 to go in the opening period to make the score 14-6. Following an Astros’ fumble recovered by Hayden Blalock, Gough connected with Grayson Belcher for a 34-yard scoring strike. The touchdown pass gave Adairsville a 21-6 lead with 6:24 remaining in the first quarter. On the next Douglass possession, the Tigers defense got a stop and blocked a fourth down punt. The Adairsville recovery at the 10-yard line set up Blome’s 10-yard touchdown run on the first play. The Tigers had a 27-6 lead after the kick failed. The Astros drove to the Adairsville 14-yard line on their next possession, but a Tre Winters pass break up on fourth down stopped the scoring threat. Roper then broke off a 71-yard run at the end of the first quarter to set up the next Tigers’ score. Two Kolt McCord runs later, Adairsville led 34-6 two plays into the second period. The final score of the first half was a 1-yard run by Wilson with just under four minutes left in the half to make the score 34-13. Adairsville drove to the 20-yard line with 20 seconds left in the first half, but turned the ball over on downs to lead by 21 points at the intermission. The Tigers marched for a long, methodical scoring drive to start the third quarter. Chris Roper capped the crive with 7:16 to go in the period to give the Tigers a 41-13 lead. A long Douglass pass completion from Demari Wilson to Anthony Harris set up an 11-yard touchdown pass. Wilson connected with Watkins on the scoring play to make the score 41-20. On Adairsville’s next possession, McCord had a long run to the Astros’ four-yard line to set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Gough to Roper with 8:22 to go in the third quarter. Peyton Bowen added a 6-yard touchdown run for Adairsville to build a 55-20 lead. Wilson then tossed a 48-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Johnson for a final Douglass touchdown and a 55-26 final score. Adairsville (10-1) will host Oconee County next Friday in the Class AAA second round. Oconee County defeated Lumpkin County in the first round, 49-21.