‘Canes Fall to Macon County
The Canes had a long ride down to Montezuma last Friday to play the Macon County Bulldogs. With a very spirited crowd supporting them, the Canes played hard, but unfortunately came up short, 50-18.
The captains were Xavier Gude, Jordan Stone, and Walt McMichael. The Bulldogs started off with the ball, and the Canes played great defense, with great tackles by Quincy Standifer and McMichael. The Canes forced the Bulldogs to a fourth down; unfortunately they converted and continued to convert most fourth down attempts during the game which really hurt the Canes.
On the Bulldogs first offensive drive Colton Clay and Stone forced a second fourth and long situation for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs converted and scored their first touchdown of the game. They attempted the 2-point conversion and made it, taking the lead, 8-0.
The Canes started out decent on their first offensive drive, and picked up two first downs from Jay Johnson and Stone.
Unfortunately, the Canes athletic defense wasn’t there to stop the Bulldogs, and force them to turn the ball over on downs. On the next drive, Jordan Stewart and Gude were both on great tackles which put the Bulldogs in a tough situation. However, they came through in the clutch again and scored, making it 14-0.
Later in the quarter, Gude was on a big tackle in the backfield which forced another fourth and long situation for the Bulldogs. But with a poised offense, they were fortunate enough to punch it in for a score once more. The score was 21-0, Bulldogs.
However, in the second quarter the Canes turned it up offensively. With 10:46 to go in the quarter, Thomas Deraney called his own number and took it in for a score, which gave the Canes their first touchdown of the evening. The Canes started to gain some confidence with the score being 21-6, and only being down by 14 to a very good team.
However, it was time for the Bulldogs to return to their threatening offense. A touchdown saving tackle by Deraney and Standifer still wasn’t quite enough. The Bulldogs scored, making it 28-6.
That didn’t cause the Canes to back down; they still continued to fight. It started with a big first down run by Johnson. Shortly after, Deraney hit Standifer for a flare pass and he brought it all the way down to the Bulldogs 8 yard line, first and goal for the Canes. With minutes remaining in the half, Deraney hit Johnson for a touchdown. The Canes cut the score, and made it 28-12.
Before the half ended, the Canes still fought on defense, and with a great tackle forced a third and long by Devontae Campbell then a forced fumble by Garrison Williams. Unfortunately the Bulldogs were there to recover it, but it lead to a Bulldogs fourth down.
For the first time of the game, the Canes stopped the Bulldogs on a fourth down, and got the ball back with about a minute left in the half. Despite the Canes not being able to drive the ball down field for a score, they closed the half on a good note.
To start out the third quarter, Standifer got a good return and brought it out to the Canes 42 yard line. Matthew Hollis came up big for the Canes with a big first down catch. Shortly after, Standifer ran hard for a first down. Then Johnson took a toss for a first down run, which put the Canes in a first and goal situation.
The Canes capitalized with a beautiful pass in the corner of the end zone to Standifer from Deraney. Unfortunately, the Canes missed the 2 point conversion, but they were slowly coming back with a score of 28-18.
On the next defensive set, the Canes played solid once more through three downs, and Williams had a big tackle which forced a fourth and long for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs did it again, and capitalized on a fourth down with about a 50 yard touchdown pass which made the score 36-18.
The Bulldogs started to get away from the Canes. Stone, Standifer, and Johnson ran for several more first downs. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. Matthew Lawson also came up big late in the game with a great pass break up and a few tackles. The offensive line had a tough assignment last Friday while they were up against a big and quick defensive line, however they didn’t let down.
Coach Doug Huff noted that Macon County is probably the most athletic team in the region, while even having several Division 1 prospects and even an All-American linebacker. Despite the bad loss, the team must move on.
The Canes will be off this Friday, and will resume play next week. They will travel to Cochran to take on the Bleckley County Royals, again, a tough matchup for the Canes,. So come out and support the Canes, as they try to get their second region win. Kick off is at 7:30.