Late mistakes costly for Colonels in loss to Dalton
November 7, 2026
Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
For three quarters, the Cass Colonels went toe-to-toe with one of Class 5A's most productive offenses. But costly mistakes and a late-game surge by Dalton proved too much to overcome Friday night at Cochran Stadium.
The Catamounts used a strong second-half performance to pull away for a 38-14 win over Cass in a matchup between two of the top five teams in the GHSA Postseason Rankings at the time.
Dalton improved to 8-2 and will host Griffin in a first-round state playoff game Friday, while Cass also finished the regular season at 8-2 and will open the playoffs at home with a rematch against region opponent Villa Rica.
The Colonels defeated Villa Rica 31-21 earlier this season, and will be the No. 7 seed in the Class 5A playoffs. Dalton is seeded No. 4.
Despite entering the game as the third-highest-scoring team in Class 5A, averaging nearly 43 points per game under first-year head coach Chris Prewett, Dalton struggled to put points on the board in the first half.
On a cool, very windy night, the two defenses controlled much of the first two quarters.
Dalton managed eight first downs on four first-half possessions, with its only points coming on a 22-yard field goal by Julian Villa with 5:52 remaining before halftime. The scoring drive covered 33 yards in nine plays.
Cass also moved the chains effectively, collecting eight first downs in three first-half possessions.. However, two costly fumbles prevented the Colonels from getting on the scoreboard.
One came at the 5-yard line after a breakaway run by Kalel Charles. The other occurred during a punt formation, giving Dalton favorable field position for its field goal.
Dalton carried a 3-0 advantage into halftime.
Cass came out of the break with an impressive 68-yard scoring drive that covered 10 plays. Jeremy Barrett contributed a 30-yard run, and quarterback Noah Rogers connected with Barrett for a 13-yard completion on fourth down to keep the drive alive.
Kalel Charles finished the possession with an 8-yard touchdown run, and Anthony Diaz added the extra point to give Cass a 7-3 lead with 7:08 remaining in the third quarter.
The Colonels intercepted Dalton quarterback Caine Woods on the Catamounts' next possession, but a partially blocked Cass punt helped turn the momentum back in Dalton's favor.
The Catamounts traveled 45 yards in eight plays to reclaim the lead. Woods ran for 15 yards to reach the Cass 7-yard line before scoring on a quarterback keeper on the next play. Villa's extra point put Dalton ahead 10-7 with 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Cass threatened again on its next possession, with Rogers connecting with Barrett for a 47-yard gain. However, the drive stalled on downs at the Dalton 31.
The Catamounts then delivered another scoring drive, covering 69 yards in eight plays. Wide receiver Akeem Cox took a reverse 9 yards for the touchdown, and Villa's extra point extended Dalton's lead to 17-7 with 7:47 remaining.
Cass responded quickly.
The Colonels needed just five plays to cover 80 yards, and Kalil Charles finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Diaz's extra point cut the deficit to 17-14 with 6:52 left.
But Dalton answered with a devastating one-play response.
The Catamounts returned the ensuing kickoff to the Cass 46-yard line, and running back Bronx Stallion took the next handoff 46 yards for a touchdown. The score pushed Dalton's advantage to 24-14 with 6:32 remaining.
Dalton's defense then picked off Rogers on first down after the kickoff, setting up the Catamounts for another score.
Woods connected with Kamdon London for a 44-yard gain during the ensuing possession, and Stallion finished the four-play, 55-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. Dalton led 31-14 with 4:22 remaining.
A third interception of Rogers set up the Catamounts' final scoring opportunity. Dalton covered 25 yards in three plays, with Woods running 20 yards to the 2-yard line before Stallion punched in the touchdown.
The final score came with 2:27 remaining, sealing Dalton's 38-14 victory.
The result capped a significant turnaround season for the Catamounts, who entered the year following consecutive losing campaigns of 3-8 and 0-10.
Cass, meanwhile, will turn its attention to the postseason and another opportunity to play at Cochran Stadium.
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