Canes Go For One; Come Up One Point Short
By STONE WORKMAN
The Varsity ‘Canes came up three yards short in search of their first win of the season at home versus the Northeast Macon Raiders last Friday.
After being down 21-0 in the fourth quarter, the ‘Canes scored three touchdowns and the score was 21-20 when the decision was made to go for the win by trying the two point conversion.
Brady McMichael’s quarterback sneak was stacked up at the line and the Raiders went on to win their first game of the season while Monticello fell to 0-5.
A huge home crowd was on hand to watch the Northeast kick-off. Starting on their own 14 yard line, the ‘Canes put together runs by Chris Thomas and Sadarius Rooks and a couple of penalties on the Raiders to have a first and goal on the six yard line.
A delay of game penalty, an incomplete pass and two procedure penalties stopped their drive and a field goal try by Erik Enrique fell inches short. Northeast took over and marched down the field with a passing attack of 35, eight, 12 and 23 yards for their first touchdown.
The PAT was no good, and the first quarter ended 6-0.
In the second quarter every Monticello drive was stymied by a fumble for a total of four fumbles in the quarter for the Canes.
The Raiders couldn’t do much better, giving up one fumble and an interception in their part of the quarter. However, a touchdown by the Raiders with six seconds remaining and a two point conversion gave them a 14 point advantage going into the half.
Defense was the byword of the third quarter with stands by both teams ending drives in each other’s territory. Rooks and C. Thomas continued to amass yardage and the Hurricane passing game came alive with a 24 yard pass from McMichael to Billy Edwards. The quarter ended with Monticello threatening on the Raider 22.
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The final 12 minutes proved to be the most exciting part of the game. The ‘Canes scored their first TD of the game with a 15 yard run by Rooks followed by an extra point kick by Enrique to cut the score to 14-7. The subsequent kickoff was returned 98 yards by the Raiders for a TD. The XP was good and the ‘Canes were once again down by 14 points.
With 11:00 left in the game the ‘Canes offense and defense showed determination and courage as they started from their own 20 and reeled off runs of 12 by C. Thomas and a big fourth down run by Rooks to keep the drive alive. McMichael then connected on a 33 yard strike to Billy Edwards, and with the addition of a penalty they were on the Raider’s seven yard line, first and goal.
Two plays later A. J. Thomas scored on a run and after the XP kick by Enrique the ‘Canes were only down by one TD.
An on-sides kick by the ‘Canes was unsuccessful, but their defense held and forced a punt with 4:07 left in the game. Starting on their own 32, the ‘Canes turned the ball over via a fumble on their own 43 with less than four minutes left in the game.
However, the Raiders committed three penalties on one play resulting in a third down and 54 yards to go situation. On the next play C. Thomas intercepted a Raider pass at midfield. Two plays later A. J. Thomas scored on a 30 yard scamper to make the score 21-20. Rather than kick the XP, the decision was made to go for two points and the win.
Head Football Coach Eddie Roberts, when asked the key to the team’s comeback, said, “It was just the fact that we held onto the ball and executed plays after we had turned the ball over four or five times earlier in the game. The kids never quit, they kept on fighting and finally some good things happened in the fourth quarter.
“I felt like we got better on on defense, and we had two backs with over 100 yards. We just put the ball on the ground too many times in the first half. It was mistakes at key times that hurt us. On our first drive we had the ball first-and-goal on their six yard line and couldn’t score because of penalties.
“As far as going for the win, I had my mind made up to go for two points before our last score. I felt like our kids had played hard and fought back and deserved a chance to win. Not making the two point play was not the reason we lost. Our turnovers did that.”
Tomorrow night, in their quest for that first win, the ‘Canes travel to Southwest Macon with the kickoff scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at Thompson Stadium.
Stats vs. Northeast
OFFENSE
Passsing: B.McMichael 3 for 5 for 64 yards
Receiving: A.J. Thomas 1 catch for 8 yards
B. Edwards 2 catches for 56 yards
Rushing: A.J. Thomas 15 carries for 115 yards 1 fumble and 2 TDs
S. Rooks 11 carries for 99 yards 1 fumble and 1 TD
C. Thomas 13 carries for 59 yards 1 fumble
K. Camp 2 carries for 2 yards
Monticello 17 first downs and 339 yards total offense
DEFENSE
A.J. Thomas 9 tackles and 3 assists
C. Thomas 5 tackles 1 int. and 1 assist
S. Blankenship 4 tackles 1 fumble rec. and 2 assists
B. Edwards 4 tackles and 2 assists
J. Bermudez 4 tackles 2 assists
B. Barger 3 tackles
D. Norwood 3 tackles and 1 assist
Northeast Macon 11 first downs and total offense 250 yards
SPECIAL TEAMS
E. Enrique 2 for 2 on extra pt.
B. McMichael 2 punts for 31 yard average
C. Thomas 3 kick returns for 35 total yards
Penalties
Monticello 7 for 45
Northeast Macon 9 for 95