Hurricanes sail by Buccaneers

October 12, 2024

The second-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes scored on every first-half possession and sailed past the host Allatoona Buccaneers Friday night in Acworth, 31-0.

The Canes’ defense also performed spectacularly, yielding just 92 total yards (85 rushing, seven passing).

With their victory, the Canes stay unbeaten on the season and in region play. Cartersville remains on a collision course with Cedartown this Friday for the Region 7-4A lead. The Bulldogs (8-0, 4-0) will host Cartersville at 7:30 p.m.

The Hurricanes led the Buccaneers 14-0 by the end of the first quarter.

Quarterback Nate Russell connected on a 13-yard scoring throw to Cole Crawford on the Canes’ initial possession. The first of four PATs by Ramsey Rowell gave Cartersville a 7-0 lead with 8:39 remaining in the first quarter.

Tyon Coe, who also had key runs in the opening drive, raced for a 28-yard touchdown run on the next possession for a 14-0 advantage with 1:45 left in the quarter.

Rowell’s 34-yard field goal with 7:30 left in the first half gave the Canes a 17-0 lead, and a pair of touchdown catches by Brady Marchese built a 31-0 margin by halftime.

The first reception by Marchese was a 25-yarder from quarterback Andrew Purdy with 5:21 remaining in the second quarter.

Allatoona responded with a drive just inside Cartersville territory late in the half, but James Echols made a diving interception of a long Bucs’ pass at the 3-yard line to end the threat.

Cartersville went to their two-minute offense and promptly drove 97 yards for their final score before the half.

This time, Russell connected with Marchese for a 66-yard touchdown with 1:06 remaining before the intermission.

Following a scoreless third quarter, the game went to a running clock in the final period.

In the fourth quarter against Cartersville defensive reserves, Allatoona drove to the Canes’ 26-yard line but missed a 43-yard field goal attempt with just over seven minutes remaining in the game.

Russell (6-for-8) completed 75 percent of his passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Purdy was 4-for-6 for 62 yards and one score. Harris Turner entered late to complete all three of his passes for 22 yards. Marchese finished with three catches for 104 receiving yards and two scores. Jamauri Brice had three receptions for 79 yards, including a 49-yarder.

Baylon Long rushed six times for 55 yards, including a long run of 23 yards.

The loss dropped Allatoona to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in Region 7-4A. The Bucs visit Hiram on Friday and will host Cass to close the regular season on October 25.

Cartersville (8-0, 4-0) visits Cedartown on Friday.

~~ Matt Santini contributed to this report.