Canes Lose Tough One
It was a cold night last Friday, as the ’Canes traveled all the way to Macon County to face the Bulldogs. The ’Canes fought hard but unfortunately, we came up short, 31-18 final.
The ’Canes won the toss and decided to receive the ball in the first half.
The ’Canes started off with a first down pass completion from Jacob Cavender to Lane Thomas. Then, just two minutes into the game Cavender completed the first touchdown pass of the game to Thomas for about 80 yards, giving the ‘Canes an early 6-0 lead.
As the Bulldogs received the kick off, Jordan Stone made a touchdown-saving tackle as the Bulldogs returner showed great speed.
Walt McMichael was on the next tackle to start the ’Canes defensive drive. The Bulldogs fumbled the ball and recovered, but with defensive pressure, the ’Canes forced them to go fourth and long.
The Bulldogs tried to go deep, but Stone played great defense and deflected the pass.
With the game appearing to be in the ’Canes favor, on the next offensive drive Cavender completed another first down pass to Thomas, and then connected with Tra Jackson for a short gain.
After a ’Canes turnover, Quincy Standifer made a tackle on the next drive and then the ’Canes forced the Bulldogs to fumble the ball and Julius Matchett recovered for the ’Canes.
Late in the first quarter, the ‘Cane defense made several effective tackles. Garrison Williams, Standifer, and Jackson all held the Bulldogs to end the first quarter with the scored tied, 6-6.
At the start of the second quarter, Tremaine Farley made a great tackle. That momentum was short lived when the Bulldogs earned a safety, followed by a field goal making the score 11-6 Bulldogs. [[more]]
On the ’Canes next offensive drive, Cavender again completed a first down pass to Thomas. Later in the quarter, Cavender completed another pass to McMichael. With just under five minutes left in the second, the Bulldogs scored another touchdown. Thomas made a great return bringing the ball out past mid-field but the ’Canes couldn’t complete the drive and were unable to score.
The Bulldogs scored another touchdown, and attempted a two-point conversion which was intercepted by Stone. Cavender then completed a pass to Farley but didn’t score leaving the ‘Canes trailing it 24-6 at the half.
Jackson and Jordan Stewart made two great tackles to start the second half strong in the ’Canes favor.
On the first offensive drive of the quarter, Jackson received two back to back handoffs and rushed for a first down.
The Canes went back on defense, but the Bulldogs fumbled the ball, and Standifer picked it up. Three minutes into the quarter, he took it back for a ’Canes touchdown, putting the ‘Canes back in the ball game, 24-12.
Halfway through the third, Farley made a tackle in the Bulldogs backfield for a loss. As the Bulldogs drove the ball down the field, they attempted a field goal with a minute left in the quarter, and missed. The ’Canes Jackson rushed for a first down just before the end of the third.
In the “Money” quarter, the Canes weren’t so much “money.” The Bulldogs scored an early touchdown in the fourth, and their final for the game.
Matthew Lawson got the return for the ’Canes carrying it for several yards. Cavender then completed a pass to Thomas. Then, about four minutes into the quarter, Cavender completed a touchdown pass to McMichael making the score 31-18 with neither team scoring again.
Head Coach Roberts said, “The guys played hard, we made several mistakes and we just couldn’t figure out how to pull it together. I was also very pleased with the way we came out in the second half. The boys fought and played hard overall.
The ’Canes face the Bleckley County Royals at Rose Bowl Field Friday night where they will host the annual Senior Night. Come and support all of your senior band members, cheerleaders, and football players. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m.