Canes force five turnovers in a 35-6 win over Rockmart
August 23, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
Cartersville quarterback Nate Russell tossed touchdown passes to Tyon Coe and Brady Marchese, running back Baylon Long rushed for two scores, and Jacaiden Leonard added another touchdown run in a 35-6 win over Rockmart on Friday night at Weinman Stadium.
The Cartersville defense allowed its first points of the season but was dominant in the contest forcing five Rockmart turnovers.
The Canes missed a pair of field goal attempts early in the first quarter before Leonard broke the scoring ice with a 63-yard touchdown run. Ramsey Rowell added the PAT kick for a 7-0 Cartersville lead with 2:34 left in the opening period.
After possession exchanges, the Canes got on the scoreboard again.
Coe caught a short screen pass from Russell on third down and turned it into a 54-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 9:57 left in the second quarter.
On the Hurricanes’ next possession, Leonard produced some key runs to move Cartersville deep into the red zone. On 3rd-and-goal, Long punched in a 1-yard run for a 21-0 advantage with 4:53 left in the half.
Rockmart scored on the Yellow Jackets next possession to narrow the margin to 21-6. A 27-yard pass from Luke Parker to Aadrian Samples moved the ball into the red zone before Parker connected with Tristan Anderson for a 2-yard touchdown pass with 1:02 remaining in the second quarter. Riley Gober missed the Yellow Jackets’ extra point attempt but Rockmart was on the scoreboard following an 8-play, 59-yard drive.
Cartersville answered immediately.
Brady Marchese caught a quick pass in the flat from Nate Russell and sprinted down the left sideline for a 53-yard touchdown. The scoring play and Rowell's PAT gave the Canes a 28-6 lead at halftime.
Cartersville outgained the Yellow Jackets 320 yards to 82 total yards in the first half.
Rockmart moved the ball into Cartersville territory on the opening possession of the second half and the drive was extended by a roughing the passer penalty. Canes’ defensive back Reed Ezell ended the drive, however, with a tipped-ball interception with 8:09 remaining in the third quarter.
The Hurricanes were forced to punt again on their next possession and Anderson returned the kick into Cartersville territory. That possession for Rockmart ended with a fumble at the Cartersville 35-yard line with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter.
Again, Rockmart forced a Cartersville punt and returned the kick beyond their 40-yard line. A personal foul penalty moved the Yellow Jackets into Cartersville territory and they eventually drove to the 10-yard line. The drive ended, however, with Rockmart’s fourth turnover of the night. Cartersville’s Brayden Logan intercepted Parker’s pass in the end zone with 11:57 remaining in the game.
On the ensuing Cartersville drive, the Canes converted a 4th-and-short in their territory with a Russell keeper. Long added an 18-yard run and a Leonard run moved the Canes inside the Rockmart 30-yard line. Three plays later, Russell converted another fourth down play before Long raced it in for an 18-yard touchdown run with 4:42 left in the game.
The 13-play drive covered 80 yards and took 7:05 off the game clock essentially icing the game. The touchdown and PAT kick gave the Canes a 35-6 advantage.
Russell was 10-for-17 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Marchese led the receiving corps with three catches for 70 yards. A’Darian Taylor-Wilson had three receptions for 43 yards and Ja’Mauri Brice finished with four receptions.
Leonard paced the Canes’ rushing attack with 127 yards on 11 attempts. Long had 103 yards on 16 carries.
Rockmart (0-2) has a bye week before traveling to Ringgold on September 6.
Cartersville (2-0) hosts Hapeville Charter next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
~~ Don Startup contributed to this report.
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