Canes advance to state quarterfinals with 37-14 win at Cambridge
The 3rd-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes controlled the line of scrimmage with their offensive line Friday night and jumped out to an early lead on their way to a 37-14 second round state playoff win in Milton over the Cambridge Bears.
The Canes rushing attack took charge beginning with the opening drive.
Malachi Jeffries had several carries and Cartersville quarterback Paul Gamble connected with Collin Fletcher for a 33-yard gain to set up the game’s first score. A one yard plunge by Jeffries gave the Canes a 7-0 lead following Ryan Johnson’s PAT kick.
Following the first of two Romo Pace interceptions on the night, Cartersville marched down the field again for another score. Jeffries again picked up chunk yards before Gamble scored on a 37-yard keeper for a 13-0 lead late in the first period. A two-point conversion attempt failed.
In the second quarter, Cartersville recorded a 60-yard screen pass touchdown from Gamble to Jeffries. Johnson’s kick gave the Canes a 20-0 lead with 11:47 remaining in the half.
About three minutes later, the Bears got on the scoreboard for the first time. Cambridge running back Christian Isibor was a factor on the drive and a Canes’ penalty put the Bears in scoring position. Isibor finished the possession with a short touchdown run making the score, 20-7.
Midway through the second quarter, Jeffries scored his third touchdown with a nine yard run and Johnson added a 47-yard field goal in the final minute of the half. Those scores built a 30-7 lead for the Hurricanes at the intermission.
Isibor added a touchdown run for Cambridge in the third quarter to narrow the Cartersville lead to 30-14, but the Bears would get no closer.
On the next Cartersville possession, Gamble ripped off a long run and later finished the drive with a short run into the end zone. The drive built the Cartersville lead to 37-14 midway through the third quarter and that turned out to be the final score.
The season ended for Cambridge with a 9-3 record.
The win by Cartersville (11-1) earns a state quarterfinal home game against Coffee next Friday, Nov. 25. Coffee defeated Decatur 51-23 in the second round.
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