‘Canes Win Big on Homecoming

Weather was expected to be a problem last Friday—on Hurricane Homecoming night no less, but it was not. The Canes won their third straight home game against the Crawford County Eagles, 43-7.

The captains of the evening were seniors Xavier Gude, Quincy Standifer, and Garrison Williams. The Canes chose to defer the ball to the second half, which gave the Eagles their first opportunity to score. The Canes held the Eagles on their first offensive drive, which caused them to punt. Credit goes to the defensive line with their heavy pressure.

The Canes took over and on the first play, Standifer got a toss from Thomas Deraney and he ran for a long 50 yards before being brought down just outside the 23 yard line. Johnson got the call the very next play and took it around the corner for a big gain before being stopped on the 1 yard line. Jordan Stone punched it in for the first score of the evening, and his first of three of the game. The Canes first touchdown came less than three minutes into the game, making the score, 6-0, Canes.

Jordan Stewart was on a great tackle off of the Canes kickoff. Shortly after that, Colton Clay came up big with an interception, with about eight minutes remaining in the first. On the next drive, the Canes earned a couple of first downs from Deraney and Stone.

Unfortunately, the Canes were forced to make a turnover. As the teams continue to work the clock, Stone punched it in the end zone for the second score of the evening, and the extra point was good, making it 13-0.

To start the second quarter, the Canes forced the Eagles to punt. The snap was bad and as the punter attempted to make up the loss yardage, Johnson was there for a tackle way back in the back field around the Eagles own 20 yard line. Within a minute, Stone was at it again for his third touchdown of the game. The Canes were now pulling away with the score being 20-0.

On the Canes next defensive drive, they forced the Eagles to be in a tough position, and eventually earned themselves a safety. The score was now 22-0. To wrap up the first half, Standifer punched it in the end zone, making the score 29-0.

To start the second half, the Canes didn’t stop the momentum one bit. Standifer got the return and took it to the house for about 80 yards. Which made the score 36-0. Just before we thought the game, would be a shut out, The Eagles took a return for a big run which brought it down to the Canes 17 yard line, with a touchdown saving tackle by Deraney. And, with great pressure from the defense the Canes forced the Eagles to turn the ball over. The last touchdown of the game for the Canes was scored by Johnson half way through the third after a long run, which made the score 43-0.

The game was definitely in the Canes favor, so to give the older guys some rest the younger ones played the majority of the fourth quarter. Despite that fact, the Eagles didn’t score until there wre only about four minutes remaining in the game. The young guys held their own, with the final score being 43-7, Canes.

Coach Huff said, “It was a good game for us overall. I’m proud of the players, we’re starting to execute better on offense and defense.”

The Canes will have a big game coming up this Friday vs. the Macon County Bulldogs. Coach Huff also said, “We’re playing a good team Friday. They have a lot of athletes, so it’s going to be a challenge for us. We have to be sure to control the ball and contain their athletes. If we can do that we’ll be allright, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Despite the distance please be sure to come and support the Canes as they are just one win away from making the playoffs. Kickoff is at 7:30.