Canes Resume Action Friday
After another bye week, this time one that had already been worked into the schedule, the 5-1 Monticello Hurricanes will travel tomorrow to Social Circle to take on the 5-2 Redskins in a region 4-A matchup.
Both teams come into the game undefeated in region play, with the Redskins standing at 3-0, while the Hurricanes are at 2-0 courtesy of an unscheduled bye week due to Hurricane Helene. This will be a battle of contrasting teams, as the Hurricanes are led by a stingy defense, ranking 4th in Class A, Division 1 in points allowed, giving up only 57 for the season, for a 9.5 average per game.
Notable defensively is the effort of the Hurricane linebacker unit. Junior Cam Farley and sophomores Cope Durand and Tyrin Epps have combined for 25 tackles for loss, half of the total compiled by the defense as a whole. Durand and Farley are both averaging double digits in tackles per game, and senior Ty’Mir Thornton, in limited playing time, leads the team with nine sacks, making for a formidable unit.
The Hurricanes don’t just hurt their opponents through their ability to get you on the ground though, as an opportunistic defensive backfield has accounted for ten total interceptions on the season. Senior Demonte Greene, along with juniors Bryan Ridley, and Kemarion Owens and sophomore MJ Maddox have garnered two interceptions each. Greene and Ridley have also returned an interception for a touchdown.
On offense, their attack has been more ground based this season, averaging 228 yards on the ground led by senior stalwart Jalen Stewart. He has 601 yards on 91 carries, and has found the end zone five times this season.
Junior Jamarkus Thomas has emerged this season as a workhorse at the quarterback position, and is coming off his best game on the ground with 100 yards on 12 carries against McNair. He has been efficient directing the offense, and has completed passes at a 64 percent rate this season. The other big gainer on the ground has been sophomore Chance Ross. Averaging 6.7 yards per carry, he has run for 167 yards while splitting time between both offense and defense.
Social Circle on the other hand, is averaging 32.3 points per game offensively, in a decently balanced offense led by senior quarterback Luke Cross who has thrown for approximately 700 yards in seven games for the Redskins, and their leading rusher is Jaylen Victor, another senior. He is at 410 yards on the season, along with five touchdowns.
Tomorrow’s game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Social Circle. Come out and support the Canes on the road in a pivotal battle for the inside track for a region championship.