Canes open region slate; Cass, Woodland host highly ranked foes; Tigers on road
Local games September 23, 2016
ADAIRSVILLE (1-3) at MURRAY COUNTY (3-1)
Media: Live look-ins on WBHF (100.3FM / AM1450) during the Cartersville at Cedartown broadcast. Series: Adairsville leads 4-3-1.
Coach Eric Bishop’s Adairsville Tigers picked up an important first victory of the 2016 season last week at home over Ringgold, 48-34. Adairsville bounced back from losses in their first three games to Ridgeland, Cass, and Model who have a combined record of 10-1. Chad Brewer, in his 4th-year at the helm at Murray County, has the Indians seeking their first winning season since 2005. They opened the year with three straight wins over Gordon Central, Southeast Whitfield, and Christian Heritage, before falling 42-14 last week at Bremen.
Last week, Tigers’ quarterback Roger Redd threw three touchdown passes. Tyler Riley and Travon Branch both returned kickoffs for touchdowns, plus Branch and Christian Steele both rushed for over 100 yards each in the win over Ringgold.
Redd had touchdown passes to Ethan Belcher (23 yards), Branch (31 yards), and Bryce Burgess (9 yards). Riley’s kickoff return was 84 yards to give Adairsville a 14-7 lead in the first quarter. Branch, who also had a 42-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, returned a kickoff 90 yards to open the second half and give Adairsville a 34-27 lead. Mason Boswell scored Adairsville’s final touchdown on a 3-yard run with 0:38 remaining.
Murray County features a run oriented attack led by senior quarterback Dominick Genitempo (6-0, 180). He is a threat as a runner and a passer and accounted for five touchdowns in the Indians first two games.
The Indians also feature junior running back Tucker Gregg (5-11, 205) and junior running back Jake Chadwick (6-0, 180). Senior tight end/wide receiver Braden Weaver (6-5, 210) has been the top target for the Indians in the early season.
CARTERSVILLE (4-0) at CEDARTOWN (3-1) Media: WBHF (100.3FM / AM1450) Pregame coverage begins at 6pm. Kickoff 7:30pm. Series: Cedartown leads series 24-16-2.
Cartersville has won 19 straight games following the Hurricanes’ 31-7 home win over Hapeville Charter last week. The defending Class AAAA champs have averaged over 38 points per game and also have wins over highly regarded Allatoona, Calhoun, and Westlake.
Cedartown lost its opener at Piedmont (AL), 29-22 on a late touchdown, but have bounced back with three straight wins over Rockmart (35-7), Gilmer (41-14), and Pepperell (20-16). Piedmont, is the defending Class 3-A state champion in Alabama.
Cedartown quarterback Trevon Wofford (6-4, 190, Jr.) leads the Bulldogs’ offense and Tony Mathis (6-0, 173, Soph.) gives coach Scott Hendrix’ squad some speed at the running back position.
Cartersville’s offense is guided by five-star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. The junior signal caller is 73-of-115 passing this season for 1131 yards and 13 touchdowns. Trey Creamer leads the Canes with 109 rushing yards on 27 attempts. Creamer has scored six touchdowns and has racked up 223 all-purpose yards. Antoine Jefferson leads Cartersville with 15 receptions for 233 yards. Avery Showell has 183 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
No. 4 KELL (3-1, 2-0) at CASS (3-1, 2-0)
Media: Live play-by-play at BartowSportsZone.com. Pregame coverage begins at 7pm.
Series: First ever meeting
The Longhorns got four touchdowns last week from Josiah Futral (RB, 6-0, 195, Jr.) and held a 28-0 lead over Paulding County before breezing to a 35-7 win. Coach Derek Cook’s 4th-ranked squad also has wins over Tucker and Rome. Their only loss was to Class 7A Lassiter.
In his tenth season at Kell, Cook’s Longhorns teams have made the state playoffs every year.
Senior quarterback, John Lampley has accounted for well over 200 yards per game rushing and passing for Kell. He also has running back Dre Houston (5-10, 215, Jr.) and receivers Jared Hill (6-0, 185, Sr.), Josh Blancato (5-10, 170, Sr.), and Michael Luckie (6-0, 180, Jr.) to make plays.
The Longhorn’s defense has been led by outside linebacker Solon Page (6-2, 207, Sr.), Hill, who doubles as a defensive back, and linebacker Jamonte Holt (6-2, 196, Sr.).
Cass junior linebacker, Tripp Breeden, has continued his strong start to the 2016 season. He leads the Colonels with 34 tackles, including nine for loss. Breeden has been credited with 1.5 sacks and has forced four fumbles, recovered two, and returned one for a touchdown.
The remainder of the Colonels’ top defenders, including Ethan Mitchell (LB, 5-9, 185, So.), Chance Scrutchins (LB/DE, 5-11, 215, Sr.), Cameron Gonyea (FS, 6-2, 180, Jr.), Jaylen Callahan (SS, 5-9, 155, Sr.), Tyler Henden (DE, 6-2, 210, Sr.), and Jaylon Stubbs (NG, 6-0, 360, Sr.) will need their best defensive efforts to contain the explosive Longhorns.
Derrick Maxwell (RB, 5-8, 195, Sr.) and his power running (32 carries for 159 yards and 2 TDs) helped lift the Colonels past Hiram last week 14-12, but Cass will likely need more diversity in their attack this week to defeat Kell. Cass quarterback, Brett Gaddy (6-0, 170, Sr.), will look to get the football to playmakers Laizon West (RB, 5-6, 160, Sr.), Terry Berdin (RB, 5-7, 165, Jr.), and Devin Pritchett (WR, 6-2, 155, Sr.).
No. 3 CARROLLTON (3-0, 1-0) at WOODLAND (0-4, 0-2)
Media: WBHF (100.3FM / AM1450) will provide live look-ins during the Cartersville-Cedartown broadcast. Series: First ever meeting
Woodland had some bright spots in their offense last week at Villa Rica with the running of Ant Lester and K.J. Combs, but Villa Rica kept the visiting Wildcats off the board in a 41-0 rout.
Woodland gets no reprieve. This week the Wildcats host the 3rd-ranked Carrollton Trojans.
The Trojans’ offense is guided by junior quarterback Mark Wright (5-11, 185). He was 11-of-19 passing for 190 yards and three touchdowns, plus he scored on a 37-yard run in a 45-7 victory over East Paulding last week. Wright had passing touchdowns of 42, 63, and 21 yards.
For the season, the Carrollton signal caller has 3 touchdown passes on 28-of-49 passing and is averaging just over 100 yards per game through the air.
Senior Thomas Culwell (5-8, 140) has been Wright’s top target with 10 receptions for 108 yards and a score.
Junior RB Jaylan Thomas (5-10, 175) averages 84.7 yards per game and 7.5 per carry and freshman Mecose Todd (5-11, 190) averages 42.3 yards per game and 5.5 per carry.
Junior middle linebacker, Jeremiah Pierce (6-0, 205) leads the Carrollton defense with 25 tackles. Sophomore Reid Dedman (5-10, 175) follows with 21 tackles and leads the Trojans with four sacks.
LOCAL REGION STANDINGS and upcoming schedules
