Canes Fall To War Eagles in Overtime

The Monticello Hurricanes lost a hard fought battle on the field in overtime, 24-21, to Putnam County last Friday.

After kicking off to the visiting Canes, the War Eagles found the end zone first, scoring on a rushing touchdown and making the point after for the first seven points to go on the scoreboard. Following up quickly, the Canes found themselves inside Putnam County’s 20 yard line. The Canes made it across the goal line with a rushing touchdown and made the point after for their first seven points. A second touchdown by Putnam before the end of the first quarter had the score 14-7 in their favor.

Putnam started the second quarter with a passing touchdown and the extra point, giving them the lead 21-7. Not to be outdone, the Canes found the end zone again with their second rushing touchdown and the extra point making the score 21-14. One more rushing touchdown by the Canes in the second quarter and an extra point through the goalpost tied the game at 21.

The defense for both teams allowed zero points through the third and fourth quarters and at the end of the fourth quarter.

Going into overtime, the Canes were stopped first. After going back and forth a few times with no score, Putnam made it into field goal range first and came out on top, grabbing the win with the field goal 24-21. The loss gives the Canes a 0-6 season record and a 0-3 conference game record.

Offensively, the Canes were good for 351 total yards. Keyshawn Ammons completed three of six passes for 72 yards total. Mario Greene rushed for 130 yards on 29 carries, Jaylon Mitchell rushed for 80 yards on 13 carries, Mac Barton had two carries for 59 yards, with one long 57 yard run and Ammons rushed for 10 yards. Greene, Matt Cain and Ardarius Benton were each good for one reception for eight yards, 23 and 41 yards, respectively.

The defense provided 101 tackles for the Canes with everyone getting in on the action. Graeme Williams was a stand out with 12 solo tackles, Cedrion Stone had nine solo tackles and Jacarian Grier took eight War Eagles down with solo tackles. Jordan Mitchell provided seven solos and three assists, Jackson Taylor had five solos and six assists, Barton and Akiren Walker both had five solos and three assists, Tyler Wages gave the Canes three solos and five assists and Chantz Watts had four. Jordan Mitchell had six total tackles with four solos and two assists, Kendarius Hicks was good for two solos and three assists, Benton had two solos and and Cain and Greene each had one solo tackle.

Greene and Williams returned the ball for the Canes on the kick offs and punts and Barton punted for three, averaging 58.7 yards per punt this game.

The 21 points for the Canes came on two rushing touchdowns from Greene, one rushing touchdown by J. Mitchell and three extra points from Samuel Nunez.

“The kids keep playing hard and I’m proud of them,“ Coach Jackson said, adding, “we will get a win if they keep playing this hard.”

The Hurricanes next game is at home, the Cane’s homecoming, scheduled for October 18, a conference game against Oglethorpe County. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Rose Bowl Field.