Reigning Region Champs Down Canes
Last Friday, the Monticello Hurricanes took on the Macon County Bulldogs at Rose Bowl Field. In a game dominated by defense, the Bulldogs squeaked out a win in the final quarter of the game, beating the Canes 16-10.
The Hurricanes received the opening kickoff to begin the game. The drive was quickly slowed by the Bulldogs, and the Canes ended up punting the ball, giving Macon County good field position. But the defense held strong, forcing the offense to throw on a third and long where junior DB Jay Johnson intercepted the ball in the end zone, giving the ball back to the Canes.
The Canes took the ball and began to drive, with QB Thomas Deraney hitting Jordan Stone out of the backfield for a 25 yard gain, followed by a nice 15 yard gain on the ground by Deraney. The drive was cut short again by a fumble which the Bulldogs took back all the way to their own 5 yard line, where a flag moved the ball back to their 20.
The defense of the Canes held strong once again, forcing the Bulldogs to a fourth and goal. The fourth down pass was broken up by Johnson and the ball was turned over on downs.
Stone gave the Canes some breathing room by taking the first play up the middle for a first down, but the drive stalled soon after. The Bulldogs couldn’t do much with their next possession as they were forced to punt as well. Johnson started the next drive out well with a nice run, followed by a long run by junior Colton Clay. Stone converted on fourth down, followed by a touchdown caught in the back of the end zone by freshman Tyrin Lawrence. Bryce Crawford hit the point after putting the Canes up 7-0.
As time dwindled in the first half, the Bulldogs threw a bomb that was caught for a touchdown, tying the game at 7 going into the half.
Both teams punted away their opening possessions of the second half. The Bulldogs began their second drive near their own goal line, where Lawrence ended up intercepting the ball and taking it back to the Canes 10 yard line. Crawford ended up hitting a 25 yard field goal to put the Canes up 10-7.
The defenses held strong the next few possessions until the Bulldogs eventually found the end zone putting them up 14-10. They sealed the game with a safety, ending the game with a final score of 16-10.
Jordan Stone and Jay Johnson both had a solid game running the ball, each racking up good yardage, and each recording several key tackles on defense. Coach Doug Huff was impressed by the defensive progression this week.
“The defense just played well as a whole, making tackles and holding a team who averages over 30 points a game,” Coach Huff said. “Aside from one busted play, the defense played just like we expected.”
Coach Huff expects to use this week to practice fundamentals and to work on getting the whole team healthy for the next game. There will be no game this Friday as it is the Hurricanes’ bye week. Thank you for all of your support.
Go Canes!