Colonels' second-half surge runs away from Falcons, 46-27

August 22, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

The Cass Colonels overcame a back-and-forth first half and pulled away after halftime Friday night, defeating Flowery Branch 46-27 at Falcon Field.

The season opener featured four lead exchanges during the first half as both teams battled through a competitive opening two quarters.

Both teams entered the season after finishing as runners-up in their respective regions in 2025. Flowery Branch went 7-4 last season before falling to Ware County in the first round of the state playoffs, while Cass finished 9-3 and defeated Mays in the playoffs before falling to eventual state runner-up Benedictine in the second round.

Cass coach Steve Gates and Flowery Branch coach Michael Perry both entered Friday night's opener with retooled lineups after each team lost key starters to graduation and college football.

Flowery Branch struck first, with junior transfer quarterback Rex Greene connecting with Tyler Robinson for a 40-yard touchdown pass with 10:35 remaining in the first quarter. The five-play drive covered 55 yards, and Daniel Noriega added the extra point for a 7-0 Falcons lead.

Cass answered on the first play of the second quarter. Jeremy Barrett fielded a high bounce of a Flowery Branch punt and raced 52 yards up the sideline for a touchdown. Anthony Quijada's extra point tied the game at 7-7.

The Colonels took the lead after Landen Nelson recovered a fumble near midfield. Five plays later, Kalil Charles scored on a 12-yard run up the middle. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving Cass ahead 13-7 with 9:36 remaining in the half.

Cass added to its lead with 6:33 remaining after a five-play, 69-yard drive. Quarterback Noah Rogers connected with Jah Abdullah-Kortey for a 7-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal. The PAT failed, making it 19-7.

The Falcons quickly answered after a long kickoff return gave them possession at the Cass 40-yard line. Three plays later, Greene found Dara Bledsoe for a 37-yard touchdown up the left sideline. The PAT missed right, cutting the Cass lead to 19-13.

Flowery Branch then regained the lead after another Cass turnover. Defensive lineman Eli Poole batted a Rogers pass into the air and made a diving interception at the Colonels' 12-yard line. Two plays later, Greene found Robinson for a 9-yard touchdown, putting the Falcons ahead 20-19 with 4:25 remaining in the half.

Cass answered once again, marching 49 yards in five plays. A 31-yard Rogers-to-Barrett completion helped set up Kalil Charles' 22-yard touchdown run with 2:38 left. The PAT failed, but the Colonels carried a 25-20 lead into halftime.

Cass took control after the break.

The Colonels opened the second half with a 13-play, 60-yard drive that ended when Kalil Charles scored. Rogers then connected with Barrett on a short crossing route for a two-point conversion, extending the lead to 33-20 with 6:27 remaining in the third quarter.

Cass struck again with 3:15 left in the quarter after six consecutive running plays by the Charles twins. Kalil Charles finished the 58-yard drive with a 33-yard touchdown run. The PAT failed, leaving Cass ahead 39-20.

The Colonels' defense then forced two key turnovers late in the third and early in the fourth quarters. Andrew Williams intercepted a pass, while Codey Dean recovered a Flowery Branch fumble.

The Falcons trimmed the deficit with 4:40 remaining when Greene connected with Robinson for a 50-yard touchdown pass. The score completed a three-play, 56-yard drive, and Noriega's PAT made it 39-27.

Cass responded immediately. Kalil Charles broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run with 3:21 remaining, and Diaz added the extra point to put the Colonels ahead 46-27.

Gates praised his team's effort in the season opener.

“You can’t coach attitude and effort; you can encourage it, but those two things come from the players themselves, and our players played their tails off last night,” Gates said. “We were tired, it was muggy, a great away game atmosphere, and the boys manned up. Flowery Branch is a good football team, well coached and will be a playoff team, so it was a good win to start the season.”

Gates also credited Cass' receivers, offensive line and defense while highlighting several individual performances.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so mad and proud of an OL group in my career,” Gates said. “We got whipped up front most of the night, but in the 4th quarter when they were dead tired, they actually got better.”

Among the players Gates singled out were Kalil and Kalel Charles, Abdullah-Kortey, Barrett, tight end Raymond Woodard and Rogers.

“Jeremy Barrett is the next Sacovie (White-Helton), mark it down,” Gates said. “But one player stuck out, Raymond Woodard; he is new to the tight end position and absolutely blocked his butt off last night. He is going to be a problem for defenses this season.”

Gates also praised his defense, pointing to Andrew Williams, Xzavion Turner, Amari Williams, Zach Stiles and Tyson Beauford.

“The entire defense played extremely hard,” Gates said. “I believe we created four turnovers.”

Cass opens the season 1-0 and will welcome Sprayberry to Cochran Stadium on Friday.

Flowery Branch falls to 0-1 and will travel to Cherokee Bluff on Friday.