Canes race past Woodland on homecoming

Staff
Sep 20
3 min read

Cartersville's Maddox Davis races toward the end zone with an escort from teammates Davis Waddell (0), Tyon Coe (28) and Athens Davenport (35).

Madoxx Davis averaged 21 yards per catch alongside a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as Cartersville built a 30-0 lead in the first quarter on the way to a 44-7 win over Woodland on Sept. 19.

“He’s a special player, and somebody that we’re going to continue to be creative with,” said head coach Conor Foster. “We try to move him around on offense, and he’s playing a ton on defense and special teams. He creates a lot of matchup issues and is such a great competitor. You watch him and you’ll see how he never gives up on a play.”

Braylon Hill caught a screen pass from QB Nate Russell and scored a 55-yard touchdown late in the first quarter vs. Woodland.

The Canes were already ahead 14-0 when a high snap on a punt attempt brought two more points. On Woodland’s ensuing free kick, Davis settled under the ball at his own 30. Moving up the middle of the field, he broke left for a few steps before ripping across to the right sideline untouched for the score and a 23-0 lead.

The sophomore finished with four catches for 83 yards. He’s second on the team to Georgia-bound Brady Marchese in receptions (16 to 19) and yards (261 to 375).

Marchese has missed a few games. That goes for center Langston Hogg as well, whose absence has led to a reshuffled offensive line and Adam Reed moving from right tackle to snapping the ball.

“I’m just so proud of his leadership,” Foster said of Reed, a senior. “We’ve had three new starters over the last couple of weeks, and Adam has played a different position, so it’s almost like having four new starters. He’s been our senior leader in that group, and I’ve been super proud not only of his effort, but also of his leadership in meetings and ability to stay calm and teach and lead these young guys through some chaotic and exciting times. He’s been the anchor of that group, and I’m really proud of him.”

The greatest compliment to Reed may be how the casual fan has barely noticed the change at center.

“Langston’s a great player and one of my best friends in the world. But when somebody goes down, it’s next man up, and I’m comfortable in every position on the line,” said Reed. “I’ve played center before, so I’m confident in my ability to shift throughout the line.”

Two early touchdown runs by Tyon Coe – a seven-yarder up the middle and another from 23 yards out – gave the Canes a 14-0 lead. After the safety and Madoxx’s return, Nate Russell hit Braylon Hill on a quick screen for a 55-yard score and 30-0 advantage with 1:06 to play in the opening quarter.

Elijah Peeks (54) tackles Woodland's Solomon James in Cartersville's 44-7 win on Friday.

A three-yard touchdown run by Tripp Chatmon and one by PJ Richards from five yards stretched the lead to 44-0 at halftime.

The Canes’ defense, primarily of backups in the second half, stopped two Woodland drives on Cooper Melvin’s interception and AJ Townsend’s fumble recovery. The Wildcats would get on the board, though, with a three-yard touchdown run by Solomon James at 1:06 left in the third quarter.

Cartersville improves to 6-0 and 2-0 in 4A Region 7. After an off week, the Canes travel to Cass on Oct. 3. The Colonels (5-1 and 2-0) are averaging over 36 points per game and drummed Cedartown on Friday night, 44-17. Woodland (0-4, 0-1) will host Cass this Friday, Sept. 26.