‘Canes Lose Close One
It was an exciting game between the two teams last Friday night, but the ‘Canes were unable to pull out the victory, leaving the score 21-19 Vikings after a hard-fought contest.
The Vikings won the toss and decided to receive the ball. Nevertheless, the ‘Canes great defense caused the Vikings to fumble the ball on their opening drive and as a result, the ‘Canes took over not even a minute into the game. However, the Vikings played great defense and forced the ‘Canes to turn the ball back over on downs.
On the defensive side, Quincy Standifer made a great tackle causing the Vikings to go deep on third down. Julius Matchett made a great defensive deflection on the pass, causing the Vikings to turn the ball over on fourth down.
The ‘Canes received the ball, and for our first pass completion of the game Jacob Cavender hit Walt McMichael for about six yards. Diquan Johnson used outstanding football IQ, and decided to pick up a fumble recovery and he ran it back across the 50 yard line. Later in the first quarter, Cavender completed a first down pass to Standifer. Shortly after that, Jordan Stone ran for a consecutive first down.
The ‘Canes were unable to advance the ball again, but with outstanding defense by the ‘Canes. Jamaric Bonner recovered a Vikings fumble with a minute on the clock. And to end the first quarter, Thomas Deraney completed a touchdown pass to Lane Thomas right at the buzzer, and the ‘Canes were up at the end of the first quarter 7-0.
Late in the second quarter, the Vikings scored their first touchdown of the game with about three minutes remaining before halftime, and tied the game, 7-7.
After the score, Freshman Jay Johnson received the kick and brought the ball out to the 35 yard line. Tra Jackson got the hand off and broke several tackles as he weaved through the defense for 35 yards. The ‘Canes eventually turned the ball over, but the Vikings couldn’t score due to the ‘Canes great defense.
To start the third quarter, the Vikings came out ready to play, and scored a quick touchdown after the ‘Canes turnover.
On the ensuing kickoff return, Thomas ran it all the way out to the 44 yard line. Jackson got the hand off again and ran the ball down to the 2-yard line. The Vikings played great defense and forced the ‘Canes to turn the ball over on the goal line.
The ‘Canes did the same thing to Vikings, and held them to a turnover on the 9- yard line. To end the third quarter, the Vikings literally took the ball on the handoff, and ran it back for a touchdown, making the score 21-7.
With a couple minutes into the “Money Quarter” (4th), Cavender threw the ball up to Thomas as he “Moss’s” on the cornerback and then trotted into the end zone for the easy score, leaving the score 21-13. The Canes were set up for a comeback.
Jackson made a great tackle for the ‘Canes with 9:55 on the clock. Standifer also came through with a tackle in the backfield. The D-line did a great job of putting pressure on the quarterback, and Standifer carefully read the QB and he came up with a “clutch” interception, and returned it down to the 22 yard line. Now, to put icing on “that” cake, Jackson ran it into the end zone with ease, and the ‘Canes were now two points behind the Vikings, 21-19.
The ‘Canes kicked the ball off, and as the Vikings fumbled around with the ball, the ‘Canes forced them to pick the ball up on the 8-yard line. As the Vikings drove the ball down field, Chris Anglin got through the O-line and made a huge tackle in the backfield. Vikings drove the ball all the way down to the goal line with four minutes on the clock. The ‘Canes played great defense and held the Vikings, and a great fourth down tackle by Diquan Johnson made them turn the ball over.
The ‘Canes took over the ball with two minutes on the clock. The ‘Canes had a chance to get the win. Cavender completed a first down pass to Standifer as they drove the ball down field. With 54 seconds left in the game, Cavender went deep to hit Standifer and brought the ball across the 50 yard line. The time on the clock seemed to be going faster than ever, so with 27 seconds on the clock, Cavender was forced to go deep again trying to hit Standifer, and the Vikings safety made a great bite on the pass, intercepting it, and leaving the final score 21-19. The ‘Canes fought hard to come back, but unfortunately, they were unable to pull out the win.
“Defensive end, Garrison Williams said, “We played an overall good game, but we had a lot of crucial mistakes. However, we had a great improvement from playing them last year.”
Head Coach Eddie Roberts said, “The team wasn’t really better than us, we should have won the game. We have to keep working and improving on our individual positions and some of our key mistakes.”
Please come out to support your ‘Canes this Friday as they travel to Lamar County to take on the Trojans. Kick off at 7:30 p.m. Go ‘Canes!
STATS vs. Taylor County
•Jacob Cavender: 12 completions for 159 yards, 1 TD
•Thomas Deraney: 3 completions for 34 yards and 1 Td.
•Tra Jackson: 13 rushes for 146 yards and 1 touchdown.
•Jordan Stone: 6 rushes for 27 yards.
•Walt McMichael: 5 catches for 31 yards.
•Quincy Standifer: 3 catches for 58 yards.
•Lane Thomas: 4 catches for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns.
•Garrett Scroggs: 1 catch for 9 yards.
•Julius Matchett: 1 catch for 10 yards.