‘Canes Head To Playoffs

Last Friday night was indeed another great night to be a Hurricane! It was senior night for the Canes, and they couldn’t have picked a better way to play their final game at Rose Bowl Field than by beating the Northeast Macon Raiders, 54-37, to clinch a spot in the state playoffs.

Despite the very cold weather, the Hurricane fans packed the stadium because they knew how important this game was for the Canes.

With the win the Canes have made history again by heading to the state playoffs for the first time in 15 years!

It all began with their win over Morgan County earlier in the season, which was the first time the Canes have beaten them in 30 years. Friday’s win and state playoff clinch was just icing on the cake for the Canes.

The captains for the game were all seniors, which were Xavier Gude, Garrison Williams, Quincy Standifer, Walt McMichael, and Lane Thomas. The Canes started off the game with a kick off.

Unfortunately the Canes got off to a very slow start, with the Raiders quarterback putting a lot of pressure on the defense. The Raiders earned a few first downs, and almost scored with a minute into the game, but Standifer was there on the touchdown saving tackle.

However, a few plays later, after Thomas Deraney and Gude had a couple tackles, the Raiders scored their first touchdown of the game. With a missed extra point, the Raiders were up 6-0. Despite the Raiders scoring first, the Canes didn’t lay down. On their first offensive drive Deraney completed a first down pass to Matthew Lawson.

The momentum was definitely in the Canes favor, and Deraney completed about a 50 yard pass to McMichael for a touchdown. With Bryce Crawford nailing the extra point, the Canes were up 7-6, halfway through the first quarter.

We continued to get pressure from the Raiders offense. They continued to drive the ball down field with Colton Clay and Standifer on a couple tackles, the Raiders eventually converted on numerous first downs. They scored once more with about three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Raiders were up 12-7.

The Canes continued with a slow offensive start, and were forced to a third and long, and the intended pass for Jordan Stone was tipped and intercepted and ran back for a touchdown. The Raiders had slowly started to pull away with an 18-7 lead.

After a big return by Lawson, the Canes started to get some positive momentum going. We had first downs picked up by Jay Johnson, Standifer, and Stone.

The Canes carried their momentum over into the second quarter with another first down run by Johnson, and a strong touchdown run a play later by Stone. Crawford knocked down the extra point, with the Canes still trailing 25-14.

The Canes eventually forced the Raiders to turn the ball over, and capitalized off of it. After a few first downs runs by Johnson and Standifer, the offensive line did a great job of getting a great push, which let Stone in for an easy score. Crawford was on fire, and put the Canes back in the game with a made field goal, the Canes were only trailing 25-21, with about four minutes remaining in the half.

Lawson, Williams, and Gude were on some big tackles and forced the Raiders to a fourth and long, and were forced to punt. Shortly after that, Johnson ran for big yards, resulting in a Canes first down. With about three minutes remaining in the half, Standifer ran behind the tackle Nicholas Harris and center Gude, for a Canes touchdown. The Canes are up 28-25, with a made FG by Crawford.

The Canes carried their offensive momentum to the defensive side with Stone on a big tackle. With the defensive line applying pressure on the Raiders quarterback, Standifer came up with a big interception. With the Canes trying to get one more score in before the half, Deraney completed a few passes to Stone, Lawson, and Standifer. However the Canes were unable to get into the end zone before the half, but ended the first half on good note.

The Canes started off the second half with the ball, with Standifer bringing the ball out to the 35. Shortly after, Deraney completed a first down pass to Standifer and Stone. With the Raiders applying pressure on the Canes, we were forced to a third and long. However, Deraney escaped pressure and took it in for a touchdown with about 6:40 remaining in the third. The Canes were now starting to pull away, with a 35-25 lead.

On the next defensive drive, the Canes forced a fumble and recovered the ball. Shortly after, Standifer’s number was called and scored once more with 2:27. Credit goes to the offensive line for opening up the hole. Unfortunately, in addition to scoring the Canes gave up a cheap score, and the Raiders were back in the game, trailing 42-31.

With the fourth quarter starting and the Raiders trying to make a comeback, Defensive tackle Jamaric Bonner came up big with an interception and brought it all the way to the Raiders 23 yard line. Shortly after, Deraney completed a touchdown pass to Jordan Stewart with about nine minutes remaining in the game. The Canes were up 48-31.

On the other side of the ball, Stewart was again on a big tackle, which forced the Raiders to turn the ball over with about seven minutes remaining in the game. With the game dwindling down, the Canes didn’t give in and they kept on pushing with first downs being run by Johnson, Stone and Davis. Shortly after, Davis took a 15 yard run in for a score. The Canes were up 54-31. Before the game ended, Standifer was on a few tackles before the Raiders scored the very last touchdown of the game. The Canes won the game, 54-37.

The Canes are now in the playoffs and will travel to Sylvania, to take on the Screven County Gamecocks. It’s going to be a very big game for the Canes, and they need your support. Kickoff time is at 7:30.

Go Canes!