Wildcats even season mark; Canes roll to 36th straight

Woodland evened its season and region record Friday night and snapped a two-game losing streak with a 21-10 home victory over the Hiram Hornets.

Woodland took an 8-3 lead in the final minute of the first quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brody Williams to Zach Pitner. Those two then connected again on a two-point pass when Pitner slipped into the end zone following a direct snap to Williams on the “swinging gate” PAT formation.

It was the same formation and similar play used by the Wildcats in their overtime win earlier this season over Rockmart.

The Woodland scoring drive covered 67 yards on nine plays.

Hiram regained the lead before halftime, 10-8.

The Hornets drove 69 yards on nine plays and scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Nate Presnell to Justin Crayton.

Late in the third quarter, Woodland’s Titus Jones set up a touchdown for the Wildcats by returning a punt 69 yards to the Hiram four yard line. Two plays later, DeMarcus Williams scored on a three-yard run, but the two-point conversion attempt failed for a 14-10 Wildcats’ lead.

Woodland (3-3, 2-2) took control in the fourth quarter with a 74 yard drive that took 11 plays. Brody Williams and Pitner hooked up again on a 31-yard pass play with 7:13 left in the game. The pass was tipped by a Hiram defender, but was caught by Pitner in full stride and he cruised into the end zone. Michael Campuzano added the PAT kick for Woodland’s 21-10 advantage.

Hiram slipped to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in Region 7-AAAAA.

Woodland hosts Paulding County next Friday night.

HURRICANES POUND LIONS, 55-6

Cartersville took a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter and eventually cruised to a 55-6 Region 5-AAAA win at Central-Carroll Friday night.

The win extended the top-ranked Hurricanes streak to 36 consecutive victories over the past three seasons.

Trevor Lawrence threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns while TJ Horton had six receptions for 111 yards and three touchdowns as the explosive Cartersville offense exploited the Lions.

The Canes wasted no time registering a score. Cartersville found the end zone on two of their first three plays. Lawrence found Kaleb Chatmon on the first play from scrimmage for a 54-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead. Cartersville kicker Jonathan Cruz, who made all his kicks, tacked on the PAT.

Following a Central turnover, Lawrence added a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Lowe for a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Lawrence hooked up with Horton for a 14-yard score and running back Rico Frye scored on a 57-yard burst that gave the Canes a 28-0 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Central-Carroll scored its six points with 3:33 remaining in the half on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Landon Schulenburg to Josh McClendon. The Lions missed the PAT.

In the second half, Lawrence connected with Horton for a 64-yard touchdown and a 7-yard scoring pass; Frye added another rushing touchdown from 43 yards; and Terry Berdin scored on an 8-yard run.

Frye finished with 110 yards on five carries. Lawrence was 16-for-23 passing and also had 22 rushing yards. Chatmon totaled 143 yards and a touchdown with three receptions.

Central falls to 3-3 overall and is 1-1 in Region 5-AAAA.

Cartersville (6-0, 2-0) plays at LaGrange next Friday.

NOTE: Cartersville game stats provided by The Daily Tribune News.