Cass pulls away late to beat Panthers

The Ridgeland Panthers trailed by just 11 points with less than minute gone in the fourth quarter, but homestanding Cass would add 13 points the rest of the way to claim a 30-6 win.

The Colonels, a Class AAAAA program, is now 3-2 overall, while Ridgeland fell to 1-4.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Panthers took advantage of a short punt by the Colonels and began a drive inside the Cass 30-yard line. Chase Watkins would cover the final 12 yards on a run to give Ridgeland the lead a minute into the second period. The extra point attempt was blocked.

The Colonels’ next drive went deep into Panther territory, but the defense would hold to force a 25-yard field goal by Juan Parajito and Ridgeland held on to a 6-3 lead just past the midway point of the second quarter.

However, Cass would strike through the air on its next possession as sophomore quarterback Devin Henderson found Kaden Krause for a 59-yard TD pass, which gave the Colonels the lead. Henderson and fellow sophomore Sacovie White later connected on a 22-yard score with 1:03 left before intermission to boost the lead to 17-6.

Following a scoreless third period, Cass would end a long drive with a 3-yard Henderson-to-White TD pass with 10:21 to play. The PAT try failed, but the Colonels increased their lead to 23-6.

The hosts would add one final score on Henderson’s fourth touchdown pass of the game, his third to White, from 15 yards out with just three minutes left on the clock.

Ridgeland would have one final opportunity to put points on the board late, but came up empty.

Judd Anderson was 5 of 15 in the air for 139 yards and was picked off once. Chase Watkins had a big night with 13 rushes for 80 yards and one catch for 72 yards. Darrian Burks had 12 yards rushing and 33 receiving.

He also had a 77-yard TD run on the third play from scrimmage negated because of a holding call.

Burks picked up seven tackles with one for loss. Jonathan Woodall had four tackles, four assists and one tackle for loss and Watkins also recovered a fumble.

The Panthers will take a week off to prepare for their Region 7-AAAA opener at Heritage on Oct. 1.