Canes control fourth quarter to win at Hiram, 44-26

Malachi Jeffries

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.

Paul Gamble

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.