Game Recap: Cedartown Bulldogs Routes the Cass Colonels , Remains Undefeated
The 5-0 Cedartown Bulldogs returned home to take on the 3-2 Cass Colonels, looking to improve to 6-0 on the season and 2-0 on Region play. Entering the game, both teams possessed high-end, college-level talent on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs were led by defensive back and running back Tae Harris, 4-star recruit, Clemson commit, and one of the top safety prospects in the country. Alongside Harris is First team All-Region running back and linebacker Michael Gibbons Jr. For the Colonels, four-star offensive lineman Kail Ellis and wide receiver Elijah Slocum, one of the 4A Class’ leaders in receiving yards were the team’s headliners.
The game started off as a defensive struggle with Cass trying to establish the run early with Braylon Hill receiving a bulk of the carries. However, a botched snap on a punt gave the bulldogs a first down at the Cass 15-yard line but an offensive holding pushed them back to the 19, forcing them to settle for a field goal. Cedartown took a 3-0 lead, which would remain the score through the end of the first quarter.
Hill and Jachai Delgado led the way on the ground for Cass until a OLB Sam Smith tackle for loss on third and short forced another Cass punt. A huge gain by Tae Harris got the bulldogs to the Cass 28 and a rushing TD from Smith gave the bulldogs a 10-0 lead. Another both snap on a punt by Cass gave the bulldogs the ball, once again, at the Cass 28 where a five-yard touchdown run by Juelz Davis extended the lead to 17-0. On the ensuing possession Smith and Harris recorded another tackle for loss, setting up a 3rd and 11 for Cass as they tried to find a way back into the game. A Michael Gibbons tackle on third down forced another Cass punt, leading to another Colonel special teams miscue, giving Cedar town a first down at the Cass 20.
An 8-yard touchdown run by Gibbons capped off the drive, giving the Bulldogs a 24-0 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw relatively little action, as the Bulldogs opened the quarter on the ground, with Gibbons and Harris establishing the run. Cedartown reached the Colonel two yard line but the Cyclone defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs stopping back to back quarterback draws by Isaiah Johnson. However, Cass was unable to move the ball out of the endzone, resulting in a 26-0 deficit with a ton of ground to make up if they wanted a chance at coming back.
After extending the lead to 29-0 early in the fourth quarter, Cass once again attempted to stage a comeback. However, any chance at a potential comeback was sealed with a pick six by defensive back DeMarcus Garver, making made the score 36-0, which would end up being the finals score. It was Garver’s 8th interception of the season and he was recognized as the game’s MVP.
Writer: Samir Ajy