Colonels stay perfect, hold off Creekview 27-21
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- 3 min read
September 5, 2026
Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
On a warm, muggy night at Doug Cochran Stadium, Cass built a 27-7 lead and then held off a furious Creekview comeback to remain unbeaten, defeating the Grizzlies 27-21 Friday night.
The victory lifted the Colonels to 3-0, while Creekview fell to 2-1.
Cass, which plays in Region 7-5A, once again found itself playing from behind early. For the third consecutive game, the Colonels surrendered the opening score.
Cass won the coin toss and deferred, and Creekview quickly marched 67 yards in five plays. A 33-yard pass from junior quarterback Landon Barnes to Carson Lott was a key play in the drive before freshman running back Jax Howard finished it with a 12-yard touchdown run. Charlie Bari's extra point gave the Grizzlies a 7-0 lead just 1:38 into the game.
Two possessions later, Cass answered.
Sophomore quarterback Noah Rogers connected with Jah Abdullah-Kortey on a short pass, and Abdullah-Kortey did the rest. He shook off a tackler, cut back toward the middle of the field, and outran the Creekview defense for a 70-yard touchdown.
The five-play, 80-yard drive ended with Anthony Diaz's extra point, tying the game 7-7 with 4:13 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Cass defense then helped swing the momentum in the Colonels' favor with two second-quarter turnovers.
Amari Williams forced a Creekview fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Coby Dye. Later in the half, Demarcus Ballenger intercepted a Creekview pass, setting up Cass at the Grizzlies' 44-yard line.
The Colonels needed only five plays to take their first lead.
With six seconds remaining before halftime, Rogers found Jeremy Barrett on a crossing route in the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown. Diaz added the PAT, sending Cass into the locker room with a 14-7 advantage.
Cass expanded its lead on its second possession of the third quarter, driving 75 yards in 12 plays. Kalel Charles finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run with 1:59 remaining in the period, making it 21-7.
Before the quarter ended, the Colonels' defense stopped a Creekview fake punt.
Facing fourth down from its own 30-yard line, Creekview sent punter Hudson Stanley scrambling to his right in an attempt to gain the first down. Cass defender Xzaevion Turner delivered a big hit to stop the play, and the Colonels took over on downs at the Grizzlies' 33.
Five plays later, Kalel Charles scored again, this time on a 5-yard run.
The PAT attempt failed, but Cass had stretched its lead to 27-7 with 10:08 remaining in the game.
Creekview refused to go quietly. The Grizzlies drove 70 yards in 15 plays on their ensuing possession, cutting the deficit to 27-14 with 6:09 remaining when Lott scored on a 3-yard run.
Creekview then recovered an onside kick and quickly threatened again. A pass interference penalty helped the Grizzlies during a five-play drive that ended with Lott's 1-yard touchdown plunge. The score cut Cass' lead to 27-21 with 4:52 remaining.
The Colonels successfully fielded the next onside kick, but could not run out the clock immediately, going three-and-out and sending the defense back onto the field.
Cass' defense responded when it mattered most, stopping Creekview without a first down. The Colonels then took possession and ran out the remaining time in victory formation.
Creekview drops to 2-1 and will begin Region 6-6A play at home Friday against Rome.
Cass improves to 3-0 and travels to Ringgold on Friday to face the Heritage-Catoosa Generals, who enter the matchup at 1-2 following Friday night's 50-14 home loss to Dalton.
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