Takeaways and ground game fuel Colonels in first-round win over Villa Rica
November 14, 2026
Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
The Cass Colonels opened the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs with a convincing 28-7 win over the Villa Rica Wildcats Friday night at Cochran Stadium, using a strong defense, timely takeaways, and an effective ground game to advance to the second round.
The No. 7-seeded Colonels (9-2) bounced back from their regular-season finale loss to Dalton by controlling much of the first-round matchup against the No. 26-seeded Wildcats. Villa Rica entered the contest looking to build on the momentum of a victory over Cedartown the previous week but finished its season with a 6-5 record.
The Colonels won a mid-September regular-season matchup at Villa Rica 31-21, but the Wildcats were without starting quarterback Matthew Eubanks in the initial meeting and entered the game with a reinvigorated offense.
Cass wasted little time establishing control, taking the opening kickoff and marching 81 yards in 10 plays. Kalil Charles accounted for two 20-yard runs during the possession before capping it with a 19-yard touchdown run with 8:04 remaining in the first quarter. Anthony Diaz added the extra point, giving the Colonels a 7-0 lead.
The Cass defense then set the tone for the rest of the first half, bending without breaking against a Villa Rica offense that crossed into Colonels territory on three of its four possessions.
Two of those drives ended with interceptions, while another resulted in a punt. The Wildcats' remaining opportunity ended on downs at the Cass 25-yard line.
Jahlil Abdullah-Kortey intercepted a pass at the Colonels' 22-yard line to end Villa Rica's first scoring threat. Holden Hoopingarner delivered another critical takeaway in the closing seconds of the half, intercepting a pass near the 5-yard line and returning it 93 yards to give Cass an opportunity to extend its lead.
The Colonels needed just one play to capitalize. Charles scored on a 1-yard run with 10 seconds remaining, and Diaz's extra point pushed the advantage to 14-0.
Cass recovered Diaz's ensuing pooch kickoff and attempted a long pass into the end zone, but Villa Rica intercepted the throw to end the half.
The Wildcats finally broke through on their first possession of the second half, putting together a 63-yard drive that consumed 12 plays. Villa Rica relied heavily on its running game, recording 10 consecutive rushing attempts before Matthew Eubanks connected with Tamaj Beasley on a 26-yard touchdown pass.
Alex Melendez added the extra point, cutting the Cass advantage to 14-7 with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter.
The Colonels answered immediately.
Cass covered 83 yards in seven plays on its first possession of the second half, highlighted by a 46-yard run from Charles and a crucial 14-yard third-down completion from sophomore quarterback Noah Rogers to Raymond Woodard that moved the Colonels inside the red zone.
Rogers finished the drive with a 3-yard quarterback keeper with 3:04 remaining in the third quarter, restoring Cass' two-touchdown advantage at 21-7.
The Colonels' defense continued to deliver when needed, stopping Villa Rica on downs on the Wildcats' next possession and giving the offense possession at its own 33-yard line.
Cass moved deep into Villa Rica territory on an 11-play drive that included an impressive 23-yard run by Demarcus Ballenger on a fake punt from the Colonels' 44-yard line. A facemask penalty on a short Charles run and two additional personal foul penalties against Villa Rica also helped extend the possession.
The drive reached the Wildcats' 11-yard line, but a 30-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked with just over seven minutes remaining.
Villa Rica's next offensive play produced another costly turnover. Eubanks completed a 30-yard pass to Beasley, who fumbled, and Ballenger recovered for Cass at the Colonels' 37-yard line.
The Colonels turned that opportunity into the game's final touchdown, covering 63 yards in nine plays. Charles supplied key runs of 29 and 15 yards, while Cass also converted a fourth-and-three situation at the Villa Rica 8-yard line to keep the drive alive.
Three plays later, Rogers connected with Abdullah-Kortey on a 2-yard touchdown pass. Diaz added the extra point, giving Cass a 28-7 lead with 1:52 remaining.
Ballenger picked off Eubanks on Villa Rica's ensuing possession, and the Colonels ran out the clock in "victory formation."
Cass head coach Steve Gates talked about his defense and special teams.
"Our defense and special teams forced turnovers again, which they’ve done all year. We work on creating turnovers in practice, and it shows on Friday nights. Holden's (Hoopingarner) interception right before half was the turning point. Absolutely an incredible play," noted Gates. "I don’t think people realize how good our kicker Anthony Diaz is," the Colonels' coach added. "The guy can place the ball wherever whenever we ask him to, and oh, by the way, he just became our punter in the last week as well. The guy can do it all!"
Kalil Charles rushed for 276 yards on 29 carries and scored two touchdowns. Noah Rogers completed 11 of 17 passes for 65 yards and one touchdown. Jahlil Abdullah-Kortey finished with four catches and one touchdown.
Gates reflected on his team's defensive physicality and running game.
"We challenged our team all week that there will be a cold loser and cold winner Friday night; regardless of the outcome, everyone will be cold. It was either us or them turning in equipment on Monday. I think our players' mindset was great with the cold weather. Some were without shirts during pregame walk-throughs; that’s kind of when I knew we were locked in. Villa Rica is an extremely athletic team, and we wanted to make it uncomfortable for their skill guys with physicality, and our defense did that. Holden (Hoopingarner), Eli (Simmons), and Tyson (Beauford) had huge hits early and set the tone," said a pleased Gates.
"Obviously, Kalil (Charles) had an outstanding game running behind our offensive line, who doesn’t get enough credit. Coach G and Coach Hill have those guys playing physically and efficiently right now. They’re not the biggest or the fastest, but they play hard and are well coached," Gates added.
With the win, Cass advances to the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs and will host the No. 10-seeded Central-Carroll Lions on Friday at Cochran Stadium.
Central-Carroll (8-3) advanced with a 49-12 first-round victory over Jonesboro.
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