Colonels punch their ticket to the second round
- Staff
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
November 15, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
On a crisp, clear night with temperatures dipping into the upper 40s at Doug Cochran Stadium on the Cass High School campus, the Cass Colonels made school history by hosting their first-ever state playoff game in the Georgia High School Association Class 4A first round.
The No. 10-ranked Colonels delivered an early lead, and then held off a late rally from the Mays Raiders to secure a 21-12 victory and punch their ticket to the second round.
This marked the third time in the last four years that Cass and Mays have met in the playoffs, with both programs earning their fifth consecutive postseason berth.
The game stayed scoreless for the first 23 minutes, but Cass exploded for two touchdowns in the final 48 seconds of the first half to take a 14-0 halftime lead. The Colonels extended their advantage to 21-0 with a third-quarter score before Mays mounted a fourth-quarter comeback that fell short.
Cass fumbled the opening kickoff at their own 20-yard line, but the defense held firm, forcing Mays to miss a 31-yard field goal attempt wide left. The Colonels then drove from their 20 to the Mays' 33 on their first series, only for quarterback Brodie McWhorter to throw an interception. Both teams traded one more possession in a scoreless first quarter.
Mays managed three second-quarter drives that ended in two punts and an interception. Cass capitalized late in the half.
With 48 seconds left in the second quarter, McWhorter connected with Jah Abdulla-Kortey on a 30-yard touchdown pass to cap a 41-yard, four-play drive that took 1:33 off the clock. Anthony Quijada's PAT made it 7-0.
Josh Love's interception set up Cass's next score.
On the final play of the half, McWhorter hit offensive tackle Bear McWhorter—lined up as an eligible receiver to his left—on a 7-yard touchdown pass. Receivers blocked downfield as Bear scored untouched. The drive was ignited by McWhorter's 51-yard completion to Elijah Slocum, moving Cass from their 42 to the Raiders' 7. Quijada's kick sent the Colonels into halftime up 14-0.
Mays opened the second half with a drive to the Cass 36 but came away empty.
Late in the third, Cass put together a 14-play, 61-yard march that consumed 6:35. A fake punt from the Colonels' 47 resulted in a 13-yard run by Eli Simmons, setting up sophomore running back Kalil Charles' 2-yard touchdown plunge with 33 seconds remaining. Quijada's PAT pushed the lead to 21-0.
The Raiders responded immediately, driving 65 yards in four plays. Quarterback Jaquavious Hill connected on four straight passes, including a 40-yard touchdown to Stepeney Lee with 11:45 left in the fourth. The PAT failed, leaving it 21-6.
Cass turned the ball over on downs at their 45 and punted from their 30 on their next two possessions.
Mays added a late score on a 55-yard, eight-play drive, highlighted by a 23-yard pass and a 21-yard scramble by Hill. Hill found D’Andre Hennix for a 20-yard touchdown with 1:23 remaining. A two-point pass failed, making it 21-12.
Mays recovered an onside kick, but the Cass defense sealed the win.
The Colonels' defense was stifling against the run, limiting Mays to just five rushing yards on 19 attempts.
Mays was flagged 13 times for 162 yards, while Cass drew six penalties for 75 yards.
Hill completed 15 of 31 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Hennix hauled in three catches for 40 yards and a score.
McWhorter went 14 of 20 for 171 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick. Slocum led receivers with seven grabs for 93 yards, while Abdulla-Kortey added five for 65 yards and a touchdown. Charles rushed 26 times for 90 yards and a score, plus one catch for 16 yards.
The loss ended Mays' season at 5-6. Cass (9-2) advances to face No. 4 Benedictine Military (8-2) in Savannah on Friday, November 21.
Comments