The Cass defense limited Hiram to its second lowest point production of the season and held off the Hornets in the fourth quarter for a 26-21 Region 7-5A win at Cochran Stadium. The Colonels trailed 14-12 at halftime but scored twice in the fourth quarter for their come-from-behind win. The victory sends Cass (4-5, 2-2) into their final regular season game next week at Calhoun with an opportunity to finish as high as a No. 2-seed in the Class 5A state playoffs. The win also gives the Colonels a head-to-head tie-breaker advantage over the Hornets who fell to 1-3 in region play. With Calhoun’s win over Dalton, the Yellow Jackets will win the region championship next week with a win over Cass. A Colonels’ win, however, would create a three-way tie for second place. The region tie-breaker is point differential in games involving the tied teams with a 12-point maximum per game. Cass would finish no worse than third in the region with a win over Calhoun and could finish second pending the other outcomes of next Friday’s games. Heading into the game at Cass, Hiram had averaged more than 41 points per game over their last seven games. On Friday night, however, the offense scored only twice with one of their scores coming on a defensive scoop-and-score in the second quarter. The Hornets received the game’s opening kickoff and scored on the first play from scrimmage. A 65-yard run by Jemarion Whatley gave Hiram a 7-0 lead with 11:41 remaining in the first quarter after a PAT kick by Oliver Castaneda. Cass responded with a 77-yard drive that took 10 plays. The scoring play was a 33-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Brodie McWhorter to junior slot receiver Devin Henderson. The Colonels’ PAT kick missed wide left, however, and left Hiram up 7-6. The teams swapped possessions until late in the second quarter when Cass committed a costly turnover. The Colonels were trying to set up a double-pass, but Hiram’s Jaden Coggins broke up the lateral throw from McWhorter to Henderson behind the line of scrimmage. The fumble was picked up by the Hornets and returned 30 yards for a score giving Hiram a 14-6 lead with 4:49 remaining in the second period. Again, Cass answered. Cass drove 47-yards on four plays just over three minutes later to narrow the Hornets’ lead to 14-12. McWhorter found Devin Henderson streaking toward the back of the end zone on a 20-yard pass and catch. The Colonels’ two-point conversion pass was completed to Henderson but he was forced out of bounds just shy of the pylon. A scoreless third quarter included two more Cass turnovers and a Colonels’ defense that came up with multiple stops. Cass started an 80-yard, 14-play scoring drive late in the third quarter and ultimately scored at the 10:37 mark of the fourth quarter. Key runs by Kevin Henderson and Mac Nelson along with possession runs and throws by McWhorter powered the drive. Kevin Henderson punched in a 2-yard scoring run and Devin Henderson ran in a two-point conversion to give Cass a 20-14 advantage. On their ensuing possession, Hiram was stopped on downs near midfield and the Colonels added to their lead with a five play, 56-yard touchdown drive. Cass punched it in with a 2-yard keeper by McWhorter with 6:51 left in the game. A two-point conversion attempt failed leaving the score 26-14. Hiram drove its next possession 68-yards on six plays to pull within five points. A six-yard pass from quarterback Samir Wylie to wide receiver Chase Tyler in heavy traffic put the points on the board with 3:25 remaining and set up an onside kickoff attempt by the Hornets. Following a penalty on the first onside kick attempt, Cass’ Devin Henderson — on the front line of the Colonels’ hands team — fell on the Hornets’ next squibbed kick at the Hiram 45 yard line. Hiram used its timeouts and had Cass facing a 4th-and-5 at the Hornets’ 39-yard line with 2:54 remaining. McWhorter attempted a pass that was deflected at the line of scrimmage but continue forward for a few more yards. Colonels’ senior offensive lineman Tyler Pinson made a diving catch of the deflection and the catch gave Cass a first down at the Hornets’ 32-yard line. With no timeouts remaining for Hiram, Cass was able to run out the clock with their next four plays and escaped with a 26-21 region win. Hiram (4-5, 1-3) hosts Woodland next Friday night. The Colonels now prepare for a crucial regular season finale’ at Calhoun.

The Cartersville softball team had its season end Friday afternoon with a 3-1 loss to Kell in the double-elimination GHSA Class 5A Super Regional hosted by the Lady Canes. Cartersville finished 1-2 in the post season with a win over Lithia Springs and losses to both Kell and Eastside. Kell scored a single run in the first inning and added two more in the top of the third for their scoring Friday. Cartersville scored in the bottom of the third to make the score 3-1 but got no closer. Ava Perkins (2.1 IP, 3ER, 3H, 2BB, 1K) and Kennedy Stevens (4.2 IP, 0R, 4H, 0BB) combined for a solid pitching performance, but Kell pitcher Brooke Beam struck out 11 in a seven inning effort for the Longhorns and limited Cartersville to a single run on six hits and one walk. Brooke Smith had three hits including a triple for Kell. Alex Wesley followed with a pair of hits and one RBI for the Longhorns. Campbell Rogers produced two hits including a double for Cartersville. Jordan Bishop also had two hits. Erin McCrary (RBI) and Mikey Lewis had the other Lady Canes’ base hits. Kell (19-10) advanced to the Super Regional finals where the Longhorns will need two wins over Eastside. Cartersville has its 2022 season end with a Region 7-5A title and a 17-11-1 record.

All three local softball teams in the Class 5A state playoffs — Cartersville, Woodland, and Cass — split their Super Regional games Thursday at three separate sites. The double-elimination Super Regionals continue and conclude on Friday. Cartersville, hosting a Super Regional, lost an opener to Eastside before blanking Lithia Springs. Cass, playing at the Loganville Super Regional, dropped a playoff opener to the host Red Devils before bouncing back with a win to eliminate Chapel Hill. Woodland, in action at the Villa Rica Super Regional, fell to Winder-Barrow but came back to blank North Springs in an elimination game. CARTERSVILLE 12, LITHIA SPRINGS 0 McKinley Chada tossed a two-hit shutout Thursday night in an elimination game as Cartersville blanked Lithia Springs 12-0. Chada had two strikeouts and walked one. Elizabeth Nelson had three hits and one RBI to pace the Lady Canes’ attack. Layne Callan followed with two hits and one RBI. Chada added a hit and three RBIs. Mikey Lewis (triple, RBI), Jordan Bishop (RBI), Kiley Arnold (RBI), Ava Perkins (RBI), and Campbell Rogers added one hit each. Erin McCrary collected one RBI. Cartersville plays another elimination game Friday against Kell. The winner will need two wins over Eastside to reach the State Tournament Final Eight in Columbus October 26-29. EASTSIDE 12, CARTERSVILLE 0 Eastside pitcher Dezaria Johnson hurled a five inning, one-hitter and shutout Cartersville in a first round game at the double-elimination Super Regional hosted by the Lady Canes. Johnson walked two and struck out four in the Eagles’ victory. Eastside scored in all five innings. The Eagles posted three runs in the first inning, one in the second, four in the third, two in the fourth, and two more in the fifth. Mikey Lewis had the Hurricanes’ only hit in the third inning. CASS 10, CHAPEL HILL 1 The Lady Colonels bats were lively in an elimination game Thursday night at the Class 5A Loganville Super Regional. Cass pounded out a dozen hits in just five innings and eliminated Chapel Hill, 10-1. Emma Gibson picked up the pitching win for Cass allowing just one earned run on four hits and two walks. Cass led 3-1 after one inning and added one in the second and third innings with two runs and five runs, respectively. Ansley Hight homered twice and finished with five RBIs. Alexis Woods, Reese Howard, and Harlee Thomason also had two hits each. Braelyn Franklin (2 RBIs), Darianna Sosa (RBI), Haylee Dishmon (RBI), and Bailey York added one hit apiece. Cass (10-20) advances to play Chattahoochee Friday at 4 p.m. in an elimination game. The winner will need two wins over host Loganville to advance to the State Tournament Final Eight in Columbus October 26-29. LOGANVILLE 13, CASS 1 Loganville scored four runs in the first and nine more in the second inning en route to a 13-1 win over Cass Thursday in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs. The top-seeded and host Red Devils had 11 hits in the first three innings to power past the Colonels. Cass managed just five hits in the loss. One hit each by Alexis Woods, Haylee Dishmon, Ansley Hight (RBI), Reese Howard, and Braelyn Franklin. WOODLAND 4, NORTH SPRINGS 0 The Lady Cats broke open a scoreless tie with back-to-back solo home runs by Kamryn Smith and Cambrie Carrington in the bottom of the fourth inning Thursday night. They then added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth to stay alive in the Villa Rica Super Regional with a 4-0 win over North Springs in an elimination game. Ashlyn Dowdy earned the pitching win for Woodland with five innings of scoreless work in the circle. Haley Collum picked up a save with two shutout frames of work. Dowdy and Collum struck out three each. Smith finished with three hits including a homer, double, and two RBIs. Carrington also had a double to go with her homer. Elizabeth Hartsfield, Bailey Sakacsi, and Alana Carnes added one hit apiece. Woodland (16-16) will have a rematch with Winder-Barrow Friday in an elimination game. The winner will need two wins against host Villa Rica to advance to the State Tournament Final Eight in Columbus October 26-29. WINDER-BARROW 6, WOODLAND 2 Woodland was tied 2-2 with Winder-Barrow through five innings Thursday in the first round of the Villa Rica Super Regional when Sydney Methvin smacked a grand slam home run to ultimately lift the Bulldoggs to a 6-2 win. Winder-Barrow led 2-0 through three innings, but the Lady Cats posted single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to knot the score. Emily Hall (7 IP, 2ER, 8H, 0BB, 3K) earned the pitching win for the Bulldoggs. In addition to the grand slam, Dayton Power and Abby Polk also homered for Winder-Barrow. Haley Collum (5 IP, 6ER, 8H, 1BB, 2K) suffered the Woodland pitching loss. Ashlyn Dowdy (1 IP, 0R, 1H) also pitched for the locals. Jordan Hammonds had two hits and one RBI to pace the Lady Cats’ offense. Kamryn Smith (double, RBI), Cambrie Carrington, Haley Collum, Ashlyn Dowdy, Bailey Sakacsi, and Alana Carnes added one hit apiece.

The Cartersville boys cross country team placed third, the Lady Canes were fifth, and the Adairsville boys placed 13th Tuesday at the Fast Break Challenge in Ringgold. The boys race included 235 runners and 15 teams. The girls race had 182 runners and 22 teams represented. Cedartown won the boys race by 18 points over runner-up Dalton. Bremen and Southeast Whitfield were fourth and fifth, respectively, behind the Hurricanes. East Hamilton (TN) won the girls team competition follwed by Walker Valley (TN), Dalton, and Southeast Whitfield. Cartersville’s Malachi Vosburgh (16:25) finished seven seconds behind Cedartown’s Dalton Benefield to place second overall. Other top finishers for the Cartersville boys were Hayden Mitchell (14th, 17:48), Barrett Stepp (19th, 17:58), Kaleb Lanier (26th, 18:06), and Ethan Nix (33rd, 18:22). Griffin Bozeman (35th, 18:23) was the top finisher for Adairsville. Eli Pearson (57th, 18:48), Dutch Hernandez (104th, 19:50), Fletcher Silvers (114th, 19:58), and Michael Spinks (123rd, 20:09) also had scoring runs for the Tigers. The Cartersville girls were paced by Anna Grace Boone (15th, 21:59). Lady Canes’ teammates Leyla Booth (23rd, 22:22), Vivi Vest (38th, 22:50), Meredith Gaines (59th, 23:45), and Samantha Herrera (67th, 24:00) rounded out the scoring runs for Cartersville. The Adairsville girls did not field a full team for scoring, but had two individual participants: Callie Viktora (32nd, 22:35) and Caroline OKelley (63rd, 23:56). Next for Adairsville is the Region 6-AAA Championships at LaFayette next Tuesday. The Region 7-AAAAA Championships with Woodland, Cartersville, and Cass will be at Woodland next Tuesday.

The Cartersville and Adairsville volleyball teams won their opening round matches Tuesday night in their respective classification tournaments. Cartersville blew past Flowery Branch at the Storm Center in a Class 5A first round match while Adairsville picked up a road victory at Carver-Atlanta in Class 3A. The other local team in the Class 5A state playoffs, Cass, fell at Jefferson in straight sets, 25-19, 25-17, and 25-13. The Lady Colonels’ season ends with a 13-26-1 mark. Jefferson advances to the second round where the Dragons will host Kell. Adairsville won in straight sets, 25-5, 25-5, and 25-9. Richlyn Blair had six kills for the Lady Tigers. Jenna Claire Hendley and Jordan Hartline followed with five and four, respectively. Blair had nine of Adairsville's 30 service aces. Hendley had seven, Addie Pearson finished with six and Jayna Wilson had five aced. Pearson totaled seven assists and Annie Mccormick had five. Cartersville beat visiting Flowery Branch 25-8, 25-10, and 25-16 to move on to Round 2. Lauren Lawson had 10 kills, Ailee England eight, and Tennessee Abernathy finished with six kills in the Lady Canes’ victory. Mia Nicklas had nine service aces and six digs. Lily Gochee totaled 21 assists. The Lady Canes (29-16) travel to Greater Atlanta Christian Saturday in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Three local fast pitch softball teams have advanced to the GHSA state playoffs that begin Thursday led by Region 7-5A champion Cartersville. The Lady Canes will host one of the eight Class 5A Super Regionals that will continue through Friday After several years with a different playoff format for the early rounds, GHSA returns to the Super Regional format this year with the eight region champions in each classification hosting three other teams in a double-elimination bracket. One team from each Super Regional will advance to the Final Eight double-elimination tournament finals at the Columbus Softball Complex October 26-29. Cartersville (16-9-1) will open the post-season Thursday against Eastside (15-10), a 4-seed from Region 8-5A. Also in the Cartersville Super Regional will be Lithia Springs (18-6-2) and Kell (17-8). Woodland (15-15) made the state playoffs as the 3-seed from Region 7-5A. The Lady Cats will square off with Winder-Barrow (17-8) Thursday in the opening round of the Villa Rica Super Regional. North Springs (9-14) will play host Villa Rica (24-5) in the other opening round game. Cass qualified for the state playoffs as the 4-seed from Region 7-5A. The Lady Colonels (9-19) travel to the Loganville Super Regional Thursday where they open against the host Red Devils (25-5). The other two teams in Loganville will be Chapel Hill (21-7) and Chattahoochee (18-11).

The Woodland girls and boys cross country teams both won the Saturday varsity races in Jasper at the Pickens & Grinnin’ Invitational hosted by Pickens County at Roper Park. The Woodland girls finished 14 points ahead of Campbell with Fellowship Christian placing third. The competition included 14 teams and 106 runners. In the boys race, Woodland finished 14 points ahead of Chestatee with Forsyth Central placing third. The Cass boys were eighth of 15 teams with 129 total runners. Senior Danielle Thayer ran to an eighth place individual finish (21:00) to lead the Lady Cats. Her four scoring teammates finished closely together including Olivia Berry (18th, 21:35), Emma Segars (19th, 21:39), Miranda Pelow (20th, 21:41), and Abby George (22nd, 21:47). The Wildcats were led by a runner-up individual finish by senior Tyler Jones (16:23) and a fourth place finish by senior Drew Thayer (16:57). Landon McSwain (16th, 17:36), Juan Mendoza (18th, 17:44), and Rowan Lee (28th, 18:20) had the other scoring runs for Woodland. Cass junior Critton Gearhart was the top individual finisher for the Colonels, placing eighth in 17:27. He was followed by teammates Leonardo Galeana (43rd, 18:41), Jake Wright (45th, 18:49), Adam Pierce (58th, 19:01), and Adam Brush (67th, 19:10). The next race for Woodland and Cass will be the Region 7-5A Championships hosted by Woodland Tuesday, October 25.

After finishing the regular season as one of the lower seeds, the Lady Tigers put together an impressive post-season run Saturday in the Region 6-AAA tournament and earned a surprise spot in the Class AAA State volleyball tournament finishing third. The Tigers had dropped six of seven matches heading into Saturday’s play — including a tournament opening round loss to LaFayette Thursday night. That left the Lady Tigers needing a trio of consecutive wins Saturday in the double-elimination tournament just to keep their season alive. Adairsville found a way to get it done. The Tigers defeated Ringgold, Gordon Lee, and Coahulla Creek in succession Saturday to earn the region’s No. 3-seed. Adairsville dropped the opening set to Ringgold 25-13, but rallied for a tight 25-22, 21-19 win. That was followed by another three-set nail-biter with the Tigers winning 25-20, 20-25, and 15-10. The victory over Coahulla Creek was almost as close. Adairsville took the three set win 25-18, 17-25, and 15-11. Adairsville (15-23-2) opens the Class AAA state playoffs on the road Tuesday night with a match against Region 5-AAA runner-up Carver-Atlanta. Oconee County is the top seed in the Adairsville portion of the bracket. The Warriors (43-7) host Lumpkin County (18-14) in Tuesday’s first round.

CARTERSVILLE, CASS QUALIFY FOR CLASS 5A STATE PLAYOFFS The Cartersville and Cass volleyball teams have advanced to the Class 5A state playoffs after Cartersville finished as the region runner-up and Cass earned the region's No. 4-seed in tournament action this past Thursday and Saturday. Cartersville beat Dalton 25-19 in opening set of Saturday’s Region 7-5A Championship match, but the Catamounts took the final two sets 25-17 and 15-11 to claim the 2022 region title. Lauren Lawson had 13 kills in the finals and Ailee England finished with eight as the Lady Canes finished region runner-up. Lily Gochee had 22 assists in the title match. Cartersville reached the finals by going 3-1 in matches earlier in the tournament. After receiving an opening round bye, the Lady Canes beat Cass in straight sets Thursday 25-8 and 25-12. Cartersville then narrowly lost to Dalton Saturday morning in straight sets 25-20 and 25-22, before winning two straight matches over Calhoun and Dalton to reach the championship match. The win over Calhoun was 25-23, 25-10 and the victory over Dalton was 27-25, 25-21. In other action at the Storm Center, Cass also qualified for the Class 5A playoffs with a fourth place finish. The Lady Colonels had a narrow tournament win Thursday night over Hiram 28-26 and 25-22 before falling the Cartersville later in the evening. On Saturday, Cass defeated Woodland to earn a berth in the state tournament but then lost to Calhoun in a match that moved the Yellow Jackets to the No. 3-seed. Cass players (L-R) Jenesys Moctezuma, Harlee Davis, and Caidence Woolridge. Cartersville (28-16) will host Flowery Branch (17-21) Tuesday night at the Storm Center in the first round of the state playoffs. Cass (13-25) will travel to Jefferson (28-7).

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes struggled back-and-forth with Hiram for three quarters Friday night before taking control of the game in the fourth period for a 44-26 Region 7-5A win. Hiram scored first with a 67-yard touchdown pass from Samir Wylie to Jamarion Whatley. The scoring strike gave the hosting Hornets a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the first quarter. Luke McBride found the end zone for Cartersville about five minutes later to knot the first quarter score at 7-7. Early in the second quarter, the Canes took a 14-7 lead with a 2-yard touchdown run by Malachi Jeffries, but the Hornets came right back. Hiram tied the score 14-14 when Wylie connected with Chase Tyler for a touchdown with approximately eight minutes remaining in the second quarter. Less than three minutes later, Cartersville regained the lead 21-14 on a Paul Gamble to Collin Fletcher 22-yard touchdown pass. On the Hornets next possession, Whatley broke free for a 70-yard touchdown run. Hiram’s PAT attempt missed however leaving Cartersville ahead 21-20 at the intermission. Hiram went ahead 26-21 on their initial possession of the second half. Walter Matthews caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Wylie but the Hornets again failed with their extra point try. Two possessions later for the Canes, Jeffries had a long run to the Hiram 35-yard line. Shortly after, Gamble sprinted for a 27-yard touchdown and Cartersville held a 27-26 lead after a failed two-point conversion attempt. The Cartersville defense stopped the next HIram possession and Jeffries reeled off another nice run to reach the Hornets’ 20-yard line. Following a short run, Jeffries scored on an 18-yard scamper in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. The scoring play gave the Canes a 34-26 lead. Ryan Johnson added a 30-yard field goal for the Canes and Gamble had a 7-yard rushing score late in the game to secure Cartersville’s 44-26 win. Braylon Inman and Romo Pace each had fourth quarter interceptions to halt Hiram possessions. The loss dropped Hiram to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in Region 7-5A. The Hornets play at Cass next week. Cartersville (7-1, 2-1) will host Woodland next Friday evening.

Calhoun took advantage of multiple Woodland turnovers and the Wildcats’ inability to finish drives in a 49-0 Region 7-5A victory Friday night. The visiting Yellow Jackets took the opening drive down the field and scored with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Andrew Purdy. Carlos Lopez made the PAT for a Calhoun 7-0 lead. Late in the second quarter, Calhoun went up 14-0 by finishing off a length 14-play drive. The scoring play was a 7-yard touchdown pass fro Purdy to Emaree Winstron. The Jackets added to their halftime lead with their next possession. Purdy connected with Cam Curtis for another 7-yard scoring strike with just 39 seconds remaining in the half for a 21-0 intermission lead. Calhoun scored on their opening possession of the second half to make the score 28-0. Corbin Fuller scored with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. A 1-yard keeper by Purdy made the score 35-0 with two minutes left in the third quarter. After the Wildcats put themselves in bad field position at 5-yard line on the ensuing kickoff, a Woodland fumble was returned for another Calhoun touchdown by Porter Law giving the Yellow Jackets a 42-0 advantage. Calhoun later blocked a punt to set up their next touchdown from the Woodland 1-yard line. Hunter White scored for the Yellow Jackets giving the visitors a 49-0 lead. Woodland (1-7, 0-3) plays at Cartersville next Friday.

The Dalton Catamounts rallied from an early 14-0 deficit Friday night to win a back-and-forth Region 7-5A tilt at Cass, 31-28, as time expired. Dalton kicker Adrian Gongora, who also successfully kicked four PATs on the night, made a 31-yard field goal as time ran out to keep the Catamounts unbeaten in region play. Cass started fast and built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Colonels took the opening drive of the game 80-yards on nine plays and scored on a 4-yard Brodie McWhorter to Devin Henderson pass with 7:04 remaining in the first period. Saul Viella made the first of his four PAT kicks and Cass led 7-0. Following a stop by the Cass defense, the Colonels drove for another score starting from their own 38. The hosts took nine plays this time to cover the 62 yards, scoring with a 2-yard Mac Nelson run to take a 14-0 lead with 0:21 left in the period, Dalton quickly recovered. Luke Blanchard returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for the Cats’ first score to cut the Colonels’ lead in half, 14-7, with 0:05 remaining in the first quarter. On the Colonels’ next possession, Nelson broke loose on a run of over 50 yards but lost the fumble as he was brought to the turf. The fumble was recovered by Dalton at their own 30-yard line and they quickly scored with the new possession. Dalton star running back Tyson Greenwade found daylight and scored on a 41-yard run to cap a 70-yard drive that took just five plays. The touchdown and PAT knotted the score at 14-all. Cass drove deep into Dalton territory late in the half and attempted a 40-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter. Viella’s kick had plenty of leg, but squarely struck the left upright and fell back into the end zone leaving the score tied at the intermission. After possession exchanges, Dalton drove into Cass territory before the Colonels’ Sacovie White picked off an Ethan Long pass with an extended, one-handed grab. The University of Georgia commit regained his balance and got to the left sideline as he sprinted 85-yards with an interception return for touchdown. The pick-6 put Cass ahead again 21-14 with 4:30 left in the third quarter. Dalton answered right away. The Catamounts drove 66 yards on five plays to knot the score again at 21-21. Adriel Hernandez had the scoring run from 21 yards out. Early in the fourth quarter, the Catamounts drove 85 yards on five plays to grab a 28-21 lead. The touchdown play was a 16-yard swing pass from Long to Greenwade. The Colonels were not finished, however. They drove into Dalton territory and faced a 4th-and-2 at the Catamounts’ 18-yard play. Needing short yardage, McWhorter flipped a short pass to Devin Henderson who scored on an impressive run after the catch by stretching the football just far enough to touch to left end zone pylon. The 58-yard drive by Cass took five plays and tied the score at 28 with 2:51 to play. Dalton drove their ensuing possession to midfield and facing a 4th-and-9 made the decision to punt the ball back to Cass with just over one minute to go. A fair catch of the punt gave the Colonels the ball at their own 16-yard line with 1:02 remaining. Following an incomplete pass, Cass fumbled on a running play and Dalton recovered at the 23-yard line with 0:49 left in the game. Three Greenwade runs moved Dalton to the 14-yard line with 0:01 remaining. After a timeout, Gongora made the 31-yard field goal as time expired. Dalton improved to 5-3 on the season and 3-0 in Region 7-5A. The win also secured a state playoff berth for the Catamounts with two regular season games remaining against Calhoun and Cartersville. Cass (3-5, 1-2) will host Hiram next Friday.