‘Canes Fall Short in Dog Fight
The ‘Canes were certainly in a dog fight last Friday night as they traveled to Walnut Grove to face the 4A Warriors. The team played hard to the end but time ran out with the ‘Canes driving on the Warriors 6 yard line for a 17-13 loss.
As Coach Huff put it, “We didn’t lose, we just ran out of time.”
The ‘Canes started the game on a positive note, winning the toss and choosing to defer to the second half. On the Warriors first offensive drive, there was great defensive presence by Garrison Williams, Quincy Standifer, and Xavier Gude.
The ‘Canes forced a turnover on downs with just two minutes into the game. The ‘Canes then got the ball and received great first down yardage from Standifer and Jordan Stone. A couple minutes later, Stone scored a 35 yard touchdown, which was his first of a remarkable performance.
Later in the quarter, the ‘Canes were holding their own on the defensive side. Jamaric Bonner and Walt McMichael made big tackles on the defensive side. McMichael made a tackle forcing a 3 and out for the Warriors. The score was tied 7-7 at the end of the first, with a late touchdown run by the Warriors.
The ‘Canes started out well in the second quarter; Stone stepped up and caught an interception on a Warrior’s third down which gave the ‘Canes back the ball. However, just a few minutes later Standifer received a handoff from Thomas Deraney, and resulted in a scary moment for the ‘Canes.
Unfortunately, Standifer went down with a knee injury and didn’t return for the remainder of the game. The momentum quickly shifted to the Warriors advantage for the remainder of the half. It wasn’t until the end of the second quarter that the ‘Canes started to get back into it after a touchdown saving tackle by Deraney. The Warriors scored another TD, leading into the half, 10-7.
The Warriors still seemed to have the momentum entering the third quarter, with another touchdown pass with about 8 minutes left in the third. Now 17-7, Stone stepped up again and caught his second interception and brought it nearly all the way back just two inches away from it being a touchdown. Shortly after, Stone punched it in for a ‘Canes touchdown, and just like that, the ‘Canes were back in the game, 17-13.
As time began to quickly expire, the ‘Canes made a great play call to Jay Johnson for a 40-yard first down which brought the ‘Canes to the Warriors 22 yard line with 55 seconds remaining in the game.
The ‘Canes offensive line held its own against the Warriors defense. As the clock continued to run down with just over 20 seconds remaining Gude hiked the ball back to Deraney and with pressure he attempted to hit Stone on a flat route. Unfortunately, the ‘Canes couldn’t connect.
Now with just seconds remaining in the game, the fans start to stand for one final play. Deraney threw a pass in the corner of the end zone intended for McMichael. With a flag on the play, pass interference was called bringing the ‘Canes up around the 6 yard line.
Time had expired but due to the penalty the ‘Canes had time for one more play. Deraney got the snap, but with great pressure from the Warriors defense was forced to throw a pass in the corner of the inside. With a heart breaking ending the ‘Canes just simply ran out of time.
Prayers go out to Quincy Standifer for a speedy recovery.
The ‘Canes are set to face long-time rival, the Jackson Red Devils tomorrow, Sept. 5 at the Rose Bowl Field. The ‘Canes beat the Red Devils in a history making game last year.
Come out and support your ‘Canes as they try to beat the Red Devils for the second year in a row. Kickoff time is at 7:30. Go ‘Canes!