Moore's three scores lead Colonels past Adairsville, 19-10
Senior quarterback Rett Moore (photo left) capped off three Cass scoring drives as the Colonels won their season opener at home Friday night over Adairsville, 19-10.
For Cass, the opening night victory was the team’s first since September 16, 2016 and snapped a 16-game losing streak.
Adairsville slipped to 1-1 on the season with their loss following a season-opening 21-20 win last week at home against Chattooga.
The Tigers, who played most of the night without all-around athlete Mason Boswell, led 7-0 early on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Derrick Simmons to Malachi Gardner. Kicker Chris Rodriguez added the PAT kick with 8:32 remaining in the opening quarter.
On the Colonels’ second possession of the game, Moore capped a 60-yard drive with a one-yard scoring run. Key runs by sophomore Zay Jackson and Malik Grimes spurred the drive that narrowed the Tigers’ lead to 7-6 after Kaleb Speight’s PAT kick missed hitting the goal post upright.
The first quarter ended with an Adairsville turnover. Nathan Gant picked off a Simmons pass at the Colonels’ 42 yard line, but Cass was unable to advance.
About mid-way through the second quarter with the Colonels in a third and long situation, Moore scooped up a bad snap and made a nice run to keep a drive alive. Jackson followed with a 23-yard run to the Adairsville 20, and Moore connected with Jacquez Fountain to the 10-yard line. A penalty moved the ball to the Tigers’ five yard line where Moore powered in for his second score of the night and a 12-7 Colonels’ lead.
A two-point coversion attempt failed with 7:05 remaining in the first half.
Adairsville put points on the scoreboard to end the half using a series of short passes by Simmons who finished the night with 145 yards through the air. The Tigers utilized quality clock management on the drive against a Cass prevent defense.
The Tigers methodically drove to the Cass 20-yard line and Rodriguez was successful on a 38-yard field goal to reach the intermission with Cass leading 12-10.
The two teams exchanged turnovers in a scoreless third quarter, but Cass ended the period in the midst of a scoring drive at the Adairsville one-yard line.
A key run by Jackson and a pass from Moore to Fountain put the Colonels in scoring position at the six yard line.
From there Moore carried on three straight plays, including the first play of the fourth quarter for his third touchdown of the night on a one-yard run. This time, Speights was true on the PAT kick and Cass led 19-10.
The two teams traded multiple possessions in the final quarter, but Cass put a seal on their victory late in the game.
The Colonels took possession at their own 35-yard line with 4:42 remaining in the game and drove to the Tigers’ two yard line as the clock ticked to 0:00.
In the drive, Moore had a completion to Fountain for a first down at the Adairsville 44 yard line and Thomas Gilliam had an impressive run to the Adairsville 10-yard line. Three Moore runs later the game clock expired.
Moore rushed for 72 yards and three touchdowns. He was also 10-of-13 for 139 passing yards including a perfect 8-of-8 in the second half.
Jackson rushed for 94 yards on 11 carries. Fountain finished with seven catches for 121 yards.
Cass (1-0) travels to Cumming for a non-region matchup with the Forsyth Central Bulldogs next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Adairsville (1-1) is idle next week and will host Region 6-AAA foe Coahulla Creek September 7.
