Tigers edge Cass in overtime thriller; Canes survive second half shootout at West Forsyth
- Staff
- Aug 28, 2021
- 4 min read
Adairsville junior slot back Chris Roper was able to stretch the nose of the football just far enough to touch the end zone pylon on a two-point conversion attempt Friday night as the Tigers edged visiting Cass in overtime, 29-28.
The two-point conversion pass play to Roper from sophomore quarterback Jonathan Gough set off a celebration on the home side of the stadium and on the home sideline as the Tigers moved to 2-0 on the season. Roper’s six yard run in overtime cut the Cass lead to 28-27 and Adairsville head coach Eric Bishop decided to go for the win on the extra point rather than potentially go to a second overtime period.
Cass scored on its overtime possession, despite multiple penalties that kept backing them up. The Colonels’ scoring play was a 29 yard pass from sophomore quarterback Devin Henderson to fellow sophomore Sacovie White. Juan Parajito’s PAT kick gave Cass a 28-21 lead at the time.
The game went to overtime tied 21-21.
Cass put the first points of the game on the scoreboard following the first of three Adairsville turnovers on the night.
White picked off a pass and returned it 18 yards to the six yard line early in the first quarter. On the next play, Henderson scored on a six-yard keeper and the Colonels led 7-0 less than two minutes into the game.
Adairsville then reeled off 21-unanswered points assisted by a pair of Cass fumbles.
Caden Copeland capped a 45-yard drive with a nine yard touchdown run to tied the game 7-7 following the first of three Arthur Lefler PAT kicks.
Chris Roper gave the Tigers a 14-7 lead with an 18-yard scamper that capped just a two-play, 25-yard drive with 5:44 remaining in the opening period.
Later in the first, the Tigers converted on a fourth and goal at the two yard line for a touchdown and a 21-7 advantage. Gough connected with Copeland to finish off the seven play, 44-yard drive with 1:44 to go in the first quarter.
The two teams exchanged possesions throughout much of the second quarter, but an interception gave Cass the ball back with just under three minutes to go in the half at their own 19 yard line.
From there, Henderson found White for an 81-yard pass, catch, and run at the 2:35 mark of the second quarter to send the county rivals to the locker room with the Tigers up 21-14.
There was no scoring in the third quarter or most of the fourth, but Cass did drive 58 yards on 12 plays to knot the score at 21 with only 2:39 remaining in regulation.
White scored from four yards out on a fourth down reverse pitch from Henderson that ultimately sent the game to overtime.
Adairsville (2-0) enjoys an open week next Friday before starting Region 6-AAA play at Murray County September 10.
Cass (1-1) hosts Sequoyah at Cochran Stadium in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
The game will be broadcast via BartowSportsZone.com and on the free Mixlr app, just search: Bartow Sports Zone. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m.
CANES WIN SECOND HALF SHOOTOUT AT WEST FORSYTH
Cartersville and Class 7A West Forsyth traded blows throughout the third quarter Friday night, but it was the Hurricanes who were able to pull out the victory, 38-31.
Neither team stopped the other in the third quarter, but it was Cartersville that was able to finally build a two-score lead in the final stanza.
West Forsyth grabbed a 14-10 lead early in the third quarter before Canes’ senior quarterback Jake Parker connected with junior receiver Collin Fltcher for a 17-14 lead.
The Wolverines scored again on their ensuing drive to regain a 21-17 advantage midway through the third quarter, but again the Canes answered when Parker hit Brynen Wilkins on a third-and-long and a Cartersville 24-21 lead.
West Forsyth marched back down the field and scored on an 8-yard run to lead 28-24 at the end of the third quarter.
On the next Cartersville possession into the fourth quarter, Parker found Jaylen Scott on a long pass to the West Forsyth 15-yard line. From there, a pair of carries by Malachi Jeffries resulted in another Hurricanes’ touchdown and a 31-28 lead.
The Cartersville defense responded with either team’s first stop in the second half leading to a Canes’ two-score lead.
Jeffries scored again after key runs by Khristian Lando to put Cartersville ahead 38-28.
The next West Forsyth drive stalled in the red zone and the Wolverines elected to kick a 25-yard field goal. The kick made the score 38-31 with just over two minutes to go in the game. West Forsyth tried an onside kick, but a Wolverine touched the ball before it traveled the required ten yards. Cartersville took possession and was able to run out the clock.
Cartersville led 10-7 at halftime.
Parker connected with Jacob Ray for a 44-yard score and Jesus Gutierrez converted a 37-yard field goal for the Canes.
WILDCATS BLANKED AT OSBORNE, 12-0
In a game that included a 90-minute delay due to lightning, Osborne shut out Woodland in their season opener at Cardinal Field in Marietta. Osborne quarterback Eddie Burr had a 27-yard touchdown pass to Khalif Walters for the game’s first score late in the first quarter and Walters added a second touchdown on a 17-yard run in the third period. Extra point attempts failed.
For the Cardinals, it was only their third win since 2015 and the first for first year head coach Luqman Salem. Osborne was 1-9 last season, went winless the previous three years, and managed just one win in 2016. The Cardinals (1-0) play at Forest Park Friday.
Woodland (1-1) will host Hebron Christian Academy in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
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