First-quarter onslaught lifts Canes past Warner Robins

November 22, 2025

Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com

A wise man once said, ”Boy, that accelerated quickly.”

With rain falling, Canes' QB Nate Russell looks downfield vs. Warner Robins on Nov. 21. RANDY PARKER / DTN

Warner Robins has been a familiar playoff opponent for Cartersville in recent years, with the Canes on the losing end from 2020 to 22. As such, there was no chance of looking past the Demons in Friday’s second-round matchup, despite their 7-4 record. And on cue, the visitors snuffed out an early Cartersville two-point conversion attempt, forced a rare Cartersville punt, and moved the ball to set up a 30-yard field goal attempt with less than five minutes to play in the first quarter, down only 6-0. 

But the kick sailed wide.

The Canes then overwhelmed Warner Robins with 30 unanswered points before the end of the quarter on the way to a 64-0 trouncing.

Demons, exorcised. 

Warner Robins attempted to steal a possession with an onside kick to start. Holden Hoopingarner recovered, though, to set the offense up on the Cartersville 39. Five plays, including a swing pass that Brady Marchese took 21 yards and a 25-yarder to Madoxx Davis to the one, set up a Braylon Hill score and 6-0 lead. After Warner Robins moved on the kick attempt, the Canes tried for two, but Cole Crawford was stopped short. 

Maddoxx Davis returned a free kick for a touchdown. RANDY PARKER / DTN

The visitors responded with a drive to the Cartersville 35 that Tripp Chatmon ended with an interception. Then the Canes’ offense experienced a rare three-and-out and punt that rolled to the Demons’ 48. Ten plays later, Warner Robins settled for the field goal attempt on fourth-and-eight from the Canes’ 14. 

Starting from their 20, Nate Russell and company only needed five plays and 1:21. 

Passes of 14 and 28 yards to Marchese joined Hill’s 38 on the ground, the last from three yards out that brought the score to 13-0 after Ramsey Rowell’s kick. Two more points were tacked on when the next Demons’ drive ended with a high snap to the punter into the end zone. And then came the flood from all three phases of the game. 

Davis returned the free kick 80 yards for a touchdown. 

Brady Marchese sprints to the end zone for a 55-yard score in the Canes' win over Warner Robins on Nov. 21. RANDY PARKER / DTN

Following a Warner Robins punt. Russell hit Marchese for a 55-yard score.

On the first snap of the next Warner Robins possession, Reed Ezell stepped in front of a quick out pass and returned it untouched. 

With 21 seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Canes had completely blown the door open for a 36-0 lead. His team’s performance came while dealing with sickness throughout the week, said head coach Conor Foster. 

“God’s been so good to us, so all praise to him, but our word of the week was toughness,” he said. “We had over 40 guys out most every day of practice with the flu, and God allowed us to learn about toughness and to rely on him, and our kids responded. They just laid it on the line, and I couldn’t be more proud of them and our coaches.”

Cartersville head coach Conor Foster. RANDY PARKER / DTN

“I saw the quarterback step forward and they’d thrown the screen about five times already, so I was ready for it,” said Ezell, the Air Force commit. 

The pace of the Canes’ play may seem fast. To them, it’s normal.

“It all starts in practice,” said Davis, a sophomore whose FBS offer list keeps growing. “We go fast every day, game speed always. It helps us make quick calls and get on the line and throws the defense off guard. We get the upper hand.”

Hill‘s three touchdowns came with 79 yards rushing on ten carries. For added measure, the senior caught two passes for 35 yards. 

Russell finished 10-of-12 for 223 yards and two scores, one to Marchese and a 30-yard strike to Davis that pushed the lead to 43-0. Marchese led the Canes with 118 yards receiving on four catches, while Davis followed with three receptions for 63 yards. 

Hill’s 23-yard scamper placed the halftime advantage at 50-0. Two minutes into the third quarter on Warner Robins’ first drive, Chatmon stepped in front of a pass and returned it 42 yards for another pick-six and a 57-0 lead. 

The running clock allowed for only one Canes possession. PJ Richards carried the ball on eight of the drive’s 11 plays, capped by the senior’s one-yard plunge for the 64-0 score midway through the fourth quarter.

The third-ranked Canes will travel to Kell next Friday, Nov. 28. The Longhorns (10-2, No. 6) defeated Southwest DeKalb 17-10.