Canes over Hapeville Charter, 42-6
- Staff
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
August 30, 2025
Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com
Cartersville scored on six straight possessions to run past Hapeville Charter on Friday night as the Canes rolled to a 42-6 win over the Hornets.
The second drive of the night looked different, but ended with a very familiar result as CHS began on their own 32. Living by the quick strike this season, Nate Russell and company began an 11-play march where the biggest gain was a 16-yard completion to tight end Cole Crawford. It ended with Braylon Hill’s 11-yard run for a touchdown for the 7-0 lead.
The team’s leader in all-purpose yards with 160 entering the game, Hill added 91 more on the night – all in the first half and all on the ground – to go with two touchdowns.
“I want to thank my O-line because without them, I wouldn’t be able to do any of that,” Hill said. “I’m thankful for the coaching staff. Coach [JJ] Chatmon works us hard in the weight room. It helps me get better every day.”
“Get better every day” could be the mantra for an offense with so many weapons. That mindset forces players to make the most of their opportunities, said head coach Conor Foster.
“They feed off each other,” he said. “They understand that if the other guy is playing well, then that’s going to determine some coverage assignments or front adjustments that open it up for other guys. They know that what the defense gives us is going to dictate touches.”
On Friday, the defense continued to give.
Receiving the ball after Hill’s score, Hapeville drove from their 28 and across midfield in nine plays. The Hornets then took a shot deep, which was a mistake because Tyon Coe skyed for the interception, returning it to the Canes' 40.
After a run for no gain and incomplete pass, Cartersville faced a third-and-long when Russell found Brady Marchese down the right sideline for 43 yards to the Hornet 17. Two plays later, Coe took a handoff up the middle, stutter-stepped to his left and dashed in for the 12-yard touchdown and 14-0 lead with 8:33 to play before halftime.
Two minutes later it was Hill’s turn again, racing 67 yards on a handoff up the middle to push the lead to 21-0. After forcing another Hapeville punt, the Canes only needed two plays to score again as a wide-open Kaiden Kent took Russell’s pass at the 20 and waltzed into the end zone for the 42-yard score.
Hapeville’s athleticism became apparent on the resulting kickoff. The Hornets should’ve had a score, but Canes kicker Ramsey Rowell did just enough to slow the runner down so teammates could arrive to force him out deep in CHS territory.
“I give that team a lot of credit,” said Foster. “They’re really good, exceptionally talented and have played in a lot of tough environments, but so have our kids.”
That showed on both counts as Hapeville moved inside the Cartersville ten. But on the next play, Crawford, at linebacker, scooped up a Hornet fumble and returned it to the Cartersville 37 before running out of gas.
After a Mason James sack squashed Hapeville’s drive to open the second half, Cartersville’s offensive starters made the most of their final appearance of the night.
Kyron McClendon began with a two-yard reception before a trio of Tripp Chatmon runs moved the ball to the Hornet 35. Russell then found Marchese for the touchdown and 35-0 lead.
Harris Turner came in for Russell on the next drive. The sophomore responded by leading a four-play drive that finished with his first varsity touchdown, a 23-yard toss to Cooper Melvin on fourth down.
On the night, Marchese added to his role as the team’s leading receiver with three catches for 82 yards and a score.
“It’s important to be ready when your number is called,” said the Georgia commit. “We’ve got a lot of weapons. Our running back corps is insane and we’ve got some young guys like Madoxx Davis showing out as receivers.”
One Hapeville drive late in the game was turned away by a Canes interception, but the Hornets finally got on the board as time ran out for the 42-6 final.
Cartersville (3-0) turns its attention to Calhoun as the rivals and defending 3A champs come to Weinman Stadium next Friday. The Yellow Jackets are 2-0 following wins over Creekview (28-3) and Westminster (35-17).
“Our intensity is going to be real high this week,” said Marchese.
“I can’t say enough good things about the Calhoun program,” added Foster. “We’re going to trust our process, recover as much as we can this weekend and enjoy time with our families, then come in ready to work on Monday.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30.
