Canes bomb Allatoona, 48-24

October 11, 2025

Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com

Cartersville QB Nate Russell / Photo: Randy Parker / DTN

Nate Russell piled up 318 passing yards and four touchdowns before four minutes elapsed in the second quarter as CHS sprinted to a 48-7 lead on the way to a 48-24 win over Allatoona on Oct. 10. 

The night began by honoring impressive achievements, as the 2015 Canes state championship team was recognized before kickoff. Former players gathered on the field while video messages played from then-Canes coach Joey King and quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Miller Forristall, whose touchdown reception in the championship game sent Buford back to Gwinnett County empty-handed, narrated another video chronicling the season.

Davis Waddell with yards after the catch in the Hurricanes' win over Allatoona. Photo: Randy Parker / DTN

Like Forristall and Terrius Callahan did ten years ago, Canes receivers made getting behind the defense look routine as Russell averaged 34.6 yards per completion. Speedsters Brady Marchese and Madoxx Davis pulled in scoring bombs of 71 and 75 yards, respectively, while Tyon Coe ripped off a 65-yard scoring reception of his own. Davis Waddell’s two catches covered the final 34 yards of his team’s most sustained drive, an 11-play, 72-yard march in the first quarter that made the score 34-0. 

Allatoona struck back fast with a 72-yard touchdown run on their first play after the kickoff. All that did, though, was give the Canes enough time to score once more in the opening quarter on Tripp Chatmon’s one-yard grind that pushed the lead to 41-7 with 39 seconds left. 

“They’re just really talented,” Canes head coach Conor Foster said on Marchese and Davis’ ability to create separation downfield. “Our coaching staff did a good job of using some motions and shifts and some different things to create matchup issues. The guys were just doing a good job in the box, watching the eyes of defensive backs and different things like that. It was a combination of a good job by our coaching staff and two really talented players.”

Russell’s growth has become evident, and not just in what is measured on the field, his coach said. 

Brady Marchese hauls in a pass in Cartersville's win over Allatoona. Photo: Randy Parker / DTN

“He’s been great all year,” said Foster. “Nate keeps it loose and doesn’t let anyone get too tight. He doesn’t press. The experience from being a three-year starter has put him in some big games he’s won and some he’s lost. He has kind of settled in to enjoy the last season, and everyone is playing loose because of him.”

The Canes took the ball to start the game, with Russell finding Davis for 38 yards on the first play. After a six-yard throw to Kaiden Kent, Marchese motored 30 yards to the six off an inside screen. Adam Reed and Peyton Emory then bushhogged a path on the right side of the line for Braylon Hill’s run into the end zone.

After Coe’s catch on the next possession pushed the lead to 14-0, Athens Davenport recovered a fumble on the kickoff return to set up the offense on the Allatoona 24. Russell scrambled for 22 yards before Chatmon twisted out of tacklers for the two-yard touchdown.

Defensive pressure put the ball back in the offense’s hands early and often for the early scoring barrage. 

“Setting that tone is important to start the game,” said defensive end Grayson Villar, who also got into the backfield for a key stop on a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter. “Once you get the first stop on that first drive, it controls the whole game. You have to give 100 percent on every play, every possession.”

Canes' RB Tyon Coe runs to daylight in Cartersville's victory over Allatoona. Photo: Randy Parker / DTN

Fellow defensive lineman Mason James said consistency is important.

“We’re always talking about doing your job, running the correct technique,” he said. “I always want to grade high and feel I’ve really improved my focus. I used to overthink a lot, but now I’m more comfortable with the calls, so I’ve gotten better at reacting.”

The third-ranked Canes move to 8-0, 4-0  in Region 7 with Cedartown coming to Weinman Stadium next Friday. The Bulldogs dropped to 2-6 and 0-4 on Friday night after losing to Dalton, 25-20.

“I know every team in this region, and everyone has guys who can play,” said James, on not overlooking the Bulldogs. “You have to stay focused because other teams are hungry, ready to play, and looking for a win. So we’re going to kick it up a level next week in practice because we’re getting closer to the playoffs, and the focus has to be even higher.”