Colonels take control late to down Villa Rica, 31-21

September 19, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Cass High School football overcame a fast start by Villa Rica and a second-half comeback attempt by the Wildcats to remain unbeaten Friday night.

The No. 7-ranked Colonels scored the final 10 points of the game to defeat Villa Rica 31-21 at Sam McIntyre Stadium in the Region 7-5A opener for both teams.

Cass improved to 5-0, while Villa Rica fell to 4-1.

The two teams entered the game unbeaten and combined for more than 485 yards of offense in the first half, but the second half became a defensive battle — particularly for the Cass run defense.

Unofficially, Villa Rica's rushing attack was held to minus-2 yards in the second half well into the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats struck first, putting together an 80-yard drive that covered five plays. Emmanuel Ajayi scored on a 10-yard run with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter, and Carlos Velez kicked the extra point to give Villa Rica a 7-0 lead.

Cass answered in the second quarter.

With 10:37 remaining in the half, the Colonels drove 64 yards in six plays before Noah Rogers connected with Jah Abdullah-Kortey for a 42-yard touchdown. Anthony Diaz added the extra point to tie it 7-7.

Cass took the lead just 2:49 later after its defense stopped Villa Rica on downs at the Wildcats' 40-yard line.

The Colonels needed only three plays to find the end zone, with Rogers throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Barrett. Diaz's kick gave Cass a 14-7 advantage.

Villa Rica threatened to answer, driving to the Cass 26-yard line before attempting a 33-yard field goal with 5:04 remaining in the half. Cass defensive lineman Trevon Buckner partially blocked the kick, however, and the attempt fell well short.

The Colonels then drove 80 yards in five plays, extending their lead to 21-7 with 1:40 remaining when Rogers again found Barrett, this time for a 39-yard touchdown. Diaz added the extra point.

Villa Rica responded before halftime.

Following a short kickoff and a good return, the Wildcats drove 62 yards in five plays. Blaine Brown capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ajayi in the back right corner of the end zone. Velez's kick made it 21-14 at halftime.

The Wildcats tied the game in the third quarter when Tamaj Beasley intercepted a long Rogers pass and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown. Velez's extra point made it 21-21 with 8:42 remaining in the quarter. Cass head coach Steve Gates responded to the pick-6. "I’ve said all along, he’s (Rogers) is gonna make mistakes; as long as he learns from them, that’s what matters. I loved the way he responded the rest of the game; that shows me he’s maturing and playing the next play."

Cass regained the lead later in the period.

The Colonels drove 58 yards in 10 plays, relying heavily on Kalil and Kalel Charles, before settling for Diaz's 24-yard field goal from the right hash with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter.

Cass also had a third-quarter drive halted by a fumble from Kalel Charles at the Villa Rica 20-yard line. Holden Hoopingarner also intercepted a pass for the Colonels' defense during the quarter.

The Colonels then put together the game's decisive drive.

With 1:59 remaining in the fourth quarter, Cass completed a 55-yard, nine-play drive consisting entirely of runs by the Charles twins. Kalil Charles finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.

The drive consumed 4:59 from the game clock, and Diaz's extra point gave Cass a 31-21 lead.

Gates shared some sideline atmosphere on Saturday evening talking about that drive. "I heard our offensive line coach, Coach G, challenge our front five just before that drive. He told them, 'This game is on us!' and they responded. The guys up front imposed their will for nine straight plays," Gates added.

Villa Rica mounted one final threat, reaching the edge of the Cass red zone. The Wildcats' comeback effort ended when Xzaveon Turner made a leaping interception at the goal line.

Gates talked about his defense. "Our defense is playing with an all-time energy and effort level right now. They are fun to watch as a football fan."

Brown completed 11 of 18 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown for Villa Rica while throwing two interceptions. Ajayi rushed for 126 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown and caught three passes for 22 yards and another score. Josiah Walker caught two passes for 71 yards, while Kyeth Howard had four receptions for 43 yards.

Cass will make the cross-town trip to Woodland on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

"Woodland is scoring a ton of points," said Gates as he looked to the next game. "It was just a matter of time before Coach Scott got that program on track. It will be a physical game, I can guarantee that!"

Villa Rica will travel to Cartersville on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. game.