Grangers triumph over Colonels, 27-7

August 15, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

LaGrange scored 14 points off turnovers, and the Grangers’ defense allowed just 209 total yards Friday night at Barron Stadium in Rome as they defeated the Cass Colonels 27-7 in a game played as part of the 34th Corky Kell-Dave Hunter Kickoff Classic.

A Final Four team in Class 3A last season, LaGrange led 20-0 at halftime and took a 27-0 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Colonels mounted a late touchdown drive.

The Grangers threatened to score on their first possession. Quarterback Dylan Barber ran for 55 yards to the Cass 4-yard line, but a high snap on the next play resulted in a fumble, and the Colonels thwarted the drive.

Cass drove to the LaGrange 27-yard line on their first possession, but the drive stalled with four consecutive incomplete passes. Cass running back Jerome Sanders had a 43-yard gallop on the first play, and Kalil Charles had two carries for eight more.

The two teams exchanged punts on their next possessions, and when LaGrange punted again from their 11-yard line, the Colonels’ returners collided and mishandled the kick, allowing the Grangers to recover at the Cass 39-yard line.

On first down, Mason Calhoun of LaGrange completed a halfback pass to Jardon Stringer for 38 yards to the Cass 1-yard line. Running back Peyton Davis punched it in on the next play, and the Grangers were up 7-0 following a Sammy Rodas kick with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter.

The Cass offense drove 62 yards in 11 plays on their next possession, but came up empty. Rushes by Sanders, Kalil Charles, and quarterback Brodie McWhorter, plus a pass completion from McWhorter to Jeremy Barrett, moved the Colonels to the LaGrange 7-yard line for a 4th and 5. Coach Steve Gates opted for a 24-yard field goal attempt that was missed wide left.

LaGrange picked up three first downs on their next possession, but punted to pin the Colonels at their own 3-yard line.

On third down, McWhorter was sacked in the end zone and fumbled. Jamarcus Benton of the Grangers recovered the ball for a touchdown that made the score 14-0 with 1:47 left in the first half.

Cass went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and LaGrange took over at their own 38-yard line with just 1:09 remaining before halftime.

Barber had back-to-back scramble plays to reach the Cass 26-yard line and completed a 7-yard pass to Kalvin Snowberger at the 19-yard line with 0:40 remaining in the half. Following two incompletions and a procedure penalty, Barber connected again with Snowberger for a 24-yard touchdown with 0:18 showing on the first half clock. The Grangers’ PAT kick failed, but they had a 20-0 advantage at the intermission.

The Colonels managed only four yards on their three possessions in the third quarter, and LaGrange launched its final scoring drive with 3:53 remaining in the period. Ten running plays moved the Grangers to the Cass 14-yard line, where Barber connected with Julian Jones for a touchdown and a 27-0 lead with 9:05 left in the game. 

Cass drove 80 yards in 10 plays with their next drive to avoid a shutout.

McWhorter completed passes to Barrett, Andrew Williams, Chase Tatum, and Jahlil Anderson during the drive. The scoring play was a 36-yard catch by Anderson with 4:54 remaining. Anthony Quijada added the extra point for a 27-7 final score.

Barber finished 7-for-13 passing for 75 yards and two touchdowns for LaGrange. He also rushed for 113 yards on 10 attempts. Caydin Thomas added 58 yards rushing on 15 carries.

McWhorter was 11-for-22 passing for 118 yards and one touchdown for the Colonels. Sanders added 77 rushing yards on 13 attempts. Anderson caught two passes for 49 yards and one touchdown, while Jeremy Barrett caught six passes for 31 yards.

Tyson Beauford and Malachi Harris had seven total tackles for the Cass defense. Eli Simmons and Naz Fleurine followed with five.

LaGrange (1-0) visits Early County next Friday.

Cass (0-1) will look to bounce back with a trip to Model on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.