Canes blank Columbia for senior night win

Malachi Jeffries punches in one of his two rushing touchdowns Friday night as the Hurricanes defeated Columbia, 42-0.

Malachi Jeffries had two rushing touchdowns in the first half with Luke McBride and Kelvin Mitchell adding touchdown runs in the first half for Cartersville as the Class 5A top-ranked Canes blanked the Columbia Eagles Friday night, 42-0, at Weinman Stadium.

The shutout was part of the 2022 Senior Night celebration for the Purple Hurricanes.

Canes’ freshman quarterback Nate Russell tossed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jamauri Brice late in the second quarter setting up a running clock in the second half.

Jachai Delgado added a rushing touchdown for Cartersville in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the Canes defense recorded four turnovers in the contest. Turner Ross Abernathy and Chad Lynn picked off Eagles’ passes. Connor Brasfield and Talan Nix both recovered fumbles.

Columbia (3-1) lost for the first time this season.

The Hurricanes (4-0) host Heritage-Conyers next Friday in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.