The Cuthbertson Cavaliers varsity football team defeated Metrolina Christian Academy, on Friday, by a score of 42-27. The defense of the Cavaliers came out with an unbearable force, causing six forced turnovers and earning two defensive touchdowns on the night. An early Cuthbertson drive, lasting nearly eight minutes, fatigued the Metrolina defense and from there, the score gap began to grow.
A Cuthbertson fumble in the first quarter set Metrolina in scoring position for the first time in the game. A 17 yard pass by Metrolina made the score 7-0. The Cavaliers quickly got the message from the bench, however, and a score by sophomore AJ Colombo followed on the next drive, tying the game 7-7. The next possession for Metrolina ended with a punt that led to a disheartening and clock-burning drive, topped off by another rushing touchdown for Colombo, making the score 14-7 with less than five minutes to go in the half.
With just over three minutes left in the half, the Cuthbertson defense began to show signs of the tenacity that would eventually be the deciding force of the game. A three-down stop by the Cavaliers forced Metrolina to set up for a punt. As the ball was snapped, however, Cuthbertson senior Ricky Weekes appeared in the backfield, seemingly untouched, and laid a block on the punt. The ball was quickly scooped up by sophomore Anthony Goodloe, who then ran for Cuthbertson’s first defensive touchdown of the night. The score was 21-7. The next possession for Metrolina saw them march nearly 80 yards in two plays. A rushing touchdown by Metrolina’s Jadus Davis cut the Cuthbertson lead to seven, ending the half 21-14.
The second half saw much of the same; a clock-eating drive by Cuthbertson, to begin the third quarter, placed AJ Colombo in the end zone once more, making the score 28-14. Fumbles and turnovers from both teams left the remainder of the third quarter scoreless. A bad punt snap by Metrolina early in the fourth gave the Cavaliers possession on the nine yard line. Cuthbertson was quick to convert as AJ Colombo rushed in for his fourth touchdown of the night.
The score was 35-14 in the fourth when a spark of life seemed to appear in the Metrolina offense. A strong drive led them past mid-field only to be intercepted by sophomore Thomas Stamper, who quickly ran the length of the field for Cuthbertson’s second defensive touchdown of the night. At 42-14, Metrolina found themselves with several opportunities at the goal. An 80 yard touchdown run by Metrolina’s Jadus Davis made the score 42-20 and an interception on the next Cuthbertson drive led to another Metrolina score. Metrolina recovered an onside kick and appeared to be ready to mount a comeback, but Cuthbertson and the game-clock would have none of it. Cuthbertson quickly put a stop to Metrolina’s final drive, leaving the final score at 42-27.
The Cavaliers will play the Anson Bearcats, at home, on September 6.
