Slocum's five-touchdown performance leads Cass over Woodland

September 28, 2024

Cass junior receiver turned quarterback Elijah Slocum ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more Friday night in the Colonels’ 42-6 win over Woodland at Cochran Stadium.

Slocum was the Colonels’ leading receiver before a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Brodie McWhorter two weeks ago. He shifted to signal-caller by necessity and enjoyed his best performance in the position against the Wildcats.

Cass drove to the Woodland 24-yard line on the game’s opening possession but fumbled.

After forcing a Wildcats’ punt, the Colonels drove 65 yards in six plays for the night's first points. Braylon Hill had a pair of runs for first downs before Slocum found an opening on the left side, broke one tackle, and raced 41 yards for a touchdown with 2:05 remaining in the initial quarter. Mason Madrid made the first of his six PAT kicks to give the Colonels a 7-0 lead.

A Cass personal foul penalty following the touchdown forced the Colonels to kickoff from the 25-yard line. Woodland took advantage of this by returning to the 50-yard line and scoring nine plays later.

A 17-yard completion by Woodland quarterback JD Trail to Preston Sorrells moved the Wildcats to the Cass 32-yard line. Another short completion and back-to-back runs by Isaiah Livsey moved the Wildcats to the 10-yard line. Cam Williams made a heavily contested reception at the one-yard line, and Livsey scored with the next play after taking a direct snap.

Woodland’s PAT attempt was blocked, but the Wildcats narrowed the Cass lead to 7-6 with 10:34 left in the second quarter.

Cass immediately responded by driving 80 yards on ten plays. The drive included key runs by Jachai Delgado, Hill, and Slocum, with the quarterback culminating the march with his first touchdown throw of the night. Slocum found Hill for a 41-yard scoring strike with 4:51 remaining in the first half and a 14-6 advantage.

Both teams punted on their next possessions, and then Cass linebacker Mason Tompkins picked off a Woodland pass at the 50-yard line with 0:58 remaining in the half.

The Colonels cashed in the turnover with a quick, five-play scoring drive.

Two short pass receptions by Naz Fleurine and a 21-yard catch by Hill moved the Colonels to the 8 yard line. Slocum then hit Fleurine on a quick curl route along the left edge of the end zone for a touchdown with 0:02 left and a 21-6 halftime lead.

Cass added to its lead on the Colonels’ first possession of the second half. The Colonels drove 58 yards with six run plays.

Delgado had four explosive runs in the scoring drive, and Slocum finished it with a nine-yard keeper, making the score 28-6 with 8:13 left in the third quarter.

The Wildcats were forced to punt on each of their next three possessions, while Cass fumbled at the Woodland 44-yard line on one possession and punted on the other.

With 9:37 remaining in the game, Slocum broke free on a 31-yard zone read keeper for his fifth touchdown and a 35-6 Colonels’ lead.

A Woodland three-and-out forced another punt into the strong winds that gusted most of the night. As a result, Cass gained possession at the Wildcats’ 27 yard line and scored on the first play of the possession. Hill’s touchdown run gave Cass a 42-6 lead and triggered a running clock for the remainder of the game.

Slocum was 7-for-12 passing for 106 yards. He also finished with 184 yards rushing on 14 attempts. Hill had 13 carries for 101 yards and caught two passes for 61 yards. Delgado added 81 yards on ten rushing attempts. Fleurine finished with three receptions for 29 yards.

The Colonels amassed 490 total yards on the night, with 384 on the ground.

The loss dropped the Wildcats to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in Region 7-4A. Woodland hosts Allatoona next Friday.

Cass (4-3, 1-2) visits unbeaten and second-ranked Cartersville on Friday at Weinman Stadium.