Colonels outlast Hornets in Region 7-AAAA nail-biter

September 13, 2025

Cass running back Kalil Charles looks for daylight.

The Cass Colonels won their fourth straight game Friday night at Hiram High School, surviving a late threat by the Hornets for a 28-21 victory that came down to the final play.

The Colonels struck first, methodically marching 65 yards in 13 plays over nearly seven minutes. Quarterback Brodie McWhorter connected with Chase Tatum for a 3-yard touchdown pass, and Anthony Quijada’s extra point gave Cass a 7-0 lead with 5:07 left in the first quarter.

Walker Sims protects quarterback Brodie McWhorter as he looks downfield.

Hiram’s defense responded in the second quarter, as Amari Linley intercepted McWhorter and returned it 70 yards to the Cass 12-yard line. But the Colonels’ defense held firm, forcing a missed 28-yard field goal attempt. Later, Cass’ Demarcus Ballenger picked off a Caleb Carmichael pass in the back corner of the end zone, preserving the 7-0 lead at halftime.

The Hornets roared back after receiving the second-half kickoff, tying the game with a 76-yard, seven-play drive capped by Dylan Maina’s 44-yard touchdown run. Joshua Corvera’s extra point knotted the score at 7-7 with 8:31 left in the third quarter.

Cass regained the lead early in the fourth quarter.

A 70-yard drive that started with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter ended with Charles’ 12-yard touchdown scamper, putting the Colonels ahead 14-7 with 11:54 left in the game.

Cass head coach Steve Gates speaks with his assistant coaches on the sideline at Hiram.

Hiram answered quickly, needing just four plays to cover 60 yards, with Linley’s 20-yard touchdown run tying the game at 14-14 with 9:41 remaining.

The Colonels took control late with a lengthy drive and added a touchdown off a Hornets' turnover. McWhorter orchestrated an 80-yard, 12-play drive, culminating in a 3-yard keeper to give Cass a 21-14 lead with 4:04 remaining. After Hiram fumbled on their next possession, Tremon Buckner recovered at the Hornets’ 20-yard line, setting up McWhorter’s 14-yard touchdown run with 1:57 to go, extending the Colonels' lead to 28-14.

Hiram refused to quit, as Carmichael’s 7-yard touchdown run capped a 9-play, 67-yard drive with two seconds left, cutting the deficit to 28-21.

Jeremy Barrett heads downfield in the Colonels' 28-21 win Friday night at Hiram.

The Hornets’ ensuing onside kick, which ricocheted off a Cass player and was recovered by the Hornets ten yards away, somehow took only six-tenths of a second off the clock. That left Hiram with one final chance with 1.4 seconds remaining.

A dramatic and high-arcing “Hail Mary” pass found a Hiram receiver inside the 10-yard line, but Cass defenders swarmed to bring him down as time expired, sealing the Colonels’ victory.

Cass (4-1, 1-0) heads home to face the Cedartown Bulldogs next Friday in their first home game of the season. Hiram (1-4, 0-1) takes a bye week before hosting the Dalton Catamounts on September 26.