Dalton edges Cass with field goal as time expires
The Dalton Catamounts rallied from an early 14-0 deficit Friday night to win a back-and-forth Region 7-5A tilt at Cass, 31-28, as time expired.
Dalton kicker Adrian Gongora, who also successfully kicked four PATs on the night, made a 31-yard field goal as time ran out to keep the Catamounts unbeaten in region play.
Cass started fast and built a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Colonels took the opening drive of the game 80-yards on nine plays and scored on a 4-yard Brodie McWhorter to Devin Henderson pass with 7:04 remaining in the first period. Saul Viella made the first of his four PAT kicks and Cass led 7-0.
Following a stop by the Cass defense, the Colonels drove for another score starting from their own 38. The hosts took nine plays this time to cover the 62 yards, scoring with a 2-yard Mac Nelson run to take a 14-0 lead with 0:21 left in the period,
Dalton quickly recovered.
Luke Blanchard returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for the Cats’ first score to cut the Colonels’ lead in half, 14-7, with 0:05 remaining in the first quarter.
On the Colonels’ next possession, Nelson broke loose on a run of over 50 yards but lost the fumble as he was brought to the turf. The fumble was recovered by Dalton at their own 30-yard line and they quickly scored with the new possession.
Dalton star running back Tyson Greenwade found daylight and scored on a 41-yard run to cap a 70-yard drive that took just five plays. The touchdown and PAT knotted the score at 14-all.
Cass drove deep into Dalton territory late in the half and attempted a 40-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter. Viella’s kick had plenty of leg, but squarely struck the left upright and fell back into the end zone leaving the score tied at the intermission.
After possession exchanges, Dalton drove into Cass territory before the Colonels’ Sacovie White picked off an Ethan Long pass with an extended, one-handed grab. The University of Georgia commit regained his balance and got to the left sideline as he sprinted 85-yards with an interception return for touchdown. The pick-6 put Cass ahead again 21-14 with 4:30 left in the third quarter.
Dalton answered right away.
The Catamounts drove 66 yards on five plays to knot the score again at 21-21. Adriel Hernandez had the scoring run from 21 yards out.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Catamounts drove 85 yards on five plays to grab a 28-21 lead. The touchdown play was a 16-yard swing pass from Long to Greenwade.
The Colonels were not finished, however. They drove into Dalton territory and faced a 4th-and-2 at the Catamounts’ 18-yard play. Needing short yardage, McWhorter flipped a short pass to Devin Henderson who scored on an impressive run after the catch by stretching the football just far enough to touch to left end zone pylon.
The 58-yard drive by Cass took five plays and tied the score at 28 with 2:51 to play.
Dalton drove their ensuing possession to midfield and facing a 4th-and-9 made the decision to punt the ball back to Cass with just over one minute to go.
A fair catch of the punt gave the Colonels the ball at their own 16-yard line with 1:02 remaining.
Following an incomplete pass, Cass fumbled on a running play and Dalton recovered at the 23-yard line with 0:49 left in the game.
Three Greenwade runs moved Dalton to the 14-yard line with 0:01 remaining.
After a timeout, Gongora made the 31-yard field goal as time expired.
Dalton improved to 5-3 on the season and 3-0 in Region 7-5A. The win also secured a state playoff berth for the Catamounts with two regular season games remaining against Calhoun and Cartersville.
Cass (3-5, 1-2) will host Hiram next Friday.
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