NWGA Report: Upset of the Week Recap/Game Standouts

Hiram 41 Cass 27 F   The (1-3) Hiram Hornets traveled to Top 10 4A Cass (3-1) to open Region 7-4A play and came away with a shocking 41-27 win. The Hornets were big Underdogs, 25 points by Calpreps, and used a 3 headed rushing attack and efficient QB play to outscore the Colonels 27-6 in the 2nd half to begin 1-0 in Region play.   RECAP   Based on the opening drive it looked like the game was going to go as scripted. Cass drove the ball 57 yards on 8 plays scoring on a 22 yard TD pass from West Virginia QB commit [player_tooltip player_id='205701' first='Brodie' last='McWhorter'] to Junior WR Nazaire Fluerine (5'11 180) to give the Colonels a 7-0 lead midway through the 1st Q. McWhorter would leave late in the 3rd Q with an apparent ankle injury but was 12 of 18 for 197 yards and 2 TDs on the night.   After a couple of punt exchanges the Hornets would win the field position game and took over in Cass territory at the 40 with 2:40 minutes left in the opening Quarter. Hiram's Senior speedster [player_tooltip player_id='908912' first='Kaden' last='Hamilton'] (5'7 160) took the 1st play from scrimmage around the end and weaved his way to the endzone for a 40 yard TD run to knot the score at 7-7 with 2:29 left in the quarter.   Cass wasted no time answering. After a good kick return from Elijah Slocum (5'8 160) the Colonels would drive 51 yards in 3 plays with McWhorter connecting with [player_tooltip player_id='210402' first='Izak' last='Koep'] (6'0 190) on a 45 yard TD pass. Koep made an outstanding play on the ball after it was deflected and was able to haul it in a race to the endzone. Cass 14 Hiram 7 end of 1st.   The 2nd Q begin as a defensive battle with both teams exchanging punts. The Colonel punt didn't work out as well as the snap went over the punters head and Hiram would have great field position once again at the Cass 20. The Hornets used a 6 play drive that culminated in 3 yard TD run from '25 RB Da'Shaun Williams (5'10 185), his first of 4 TDs on the night. Cass 14 Hiram 14 (3:09 2nd Q)   The Colonels answered back with a long 11 play 73-yard drive to close out the 2nd Q. McWhorter threw his 3rd TD pass of the 1st half when he found Elijah Slocum in the endzone from 10-yards out. Cass 21 Hiram 14 (Halftime).   Hiram opened the 2nd half with 4 play 77 yard drive, scoring on a 10 yard TD run from Williams. The big play was '26 QB Ethan Lattimore finding Hamilton down the sideline for a 63-yard gain. Lattimore would have a very efficient game going 5-8 for 124 yards and a TD. Cass 21 Hiram 21 (10:48 3rd Q)   Cass looked like that would answer back, driving the ball into the Hornet Redzone. McWhorter would get hit at the 5 and fumble the ball into the endzone, recovered by the Hornets for a touchback.   Hiram would put together their longest drive of the night with a 7 play 80-yard drive. Lattimore would find '25 WR Dino Loyd (6'4 180) on a 43-yard TD strike to give the Hornets their 1st lead of the night. Hiram 28 Cass 21 (5:14 3rd Q).   The Hornets would burn some clock to end the 3rd and start the 4th with a 16 play 74-yard drive behind a heavy dose of running from Hamilton, Williams, and Dylan Maina. Williams would score his 3rd TD of the night, this one from 6 yards out. Hiram 35 Cass 21 (8:37 4th Q)   Elijah Slocum came in on the next series in relieve of the injured McWhorter and led the Colonels 65 yards in 12 plays. Slocum would go 3 of 4 for 49 yards and rushed twice for 24-yards. '26 RB Braylon Hill would score from 1 yard out to cut the lead with 3:38 left Hiram 35 Cass 27   The Hornets would recover the Cass attempted onside kick and Hiram would put the game away on the 1st play of the series. Williams raced 52 yards for his 4th TD putting the final points on the board Hiram 41 Cass 27 Final   Standouts - Hiram Hornets    Outstanding game for Williams with 168 yards on just 17 carries and scoring 4 TDs.   Williams has good vision at the LOS and the athleticism to pin ball his way through defenders. Has the speed to hit the corners and physicality and size to be an effective North South runner as well.   Was RB MVP this Summer at Reinhardt Camp this Summer has good upside at the next level.   <a href="https://x.com/DashaunW6/status/1835175597426807187">Game Highlights</a>     Shifty RB with good hands that could be a successful SB at the next level.   Hamilton had 13 carries for 94 yards and added two catches for 66 yards with 2 total TDs.   He is averaging over 100 yards a game thru the 1st 5 games of the season and is in the Top 5 overall in rushing in our coverage Area.   Strong in the weight room with top end speed. He picked up an offer from UT Martin recently and is on several programs radars.       You don't rush for 300 yards as a team without a big RT. Pettaway is beast at 6'4 320 on the right side.   Good mobility, can pull, good pass blocker (0 sacks giving up this season) has the athleticism to get to the 2nd level and get a hat on LBs.   Pettaway is getting a lot of attention from D1 programs and will be a big recruit this off season.     Big physical guy off the edge that loves to mix it up.   Good size at 6'3 272 that also plays RG and C on offense. Gets off the LOS quick and uses his hands well to shed blocks and is a decisive tackler.   Part of a Hornet defense that held Cass to just 87 yards rushing and 3.5 yards per carry.   Under recruited prospect right now but deserves some attention   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tjedge70/status/1832640857469538447 </div></figure>    Standouts- Cass Colonels    The 5'8 155 ATH was a new name for me on Friday night. A Swiss Army knife for the Colonels.   In the first half Slocum had a good kickoff return to set Cass up in great field position. He had a 10-yard TD catch and finished the game with 3 catches for 44 yards.   He came in for the injured McWhorter in the 4th Q at QB and was impressive on his drives with his arm and legs. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 81 yards and had 2 carries for 22 yards.   Multisport athlete (track, basketball) that has added some muscle in the weight room this past off season. Slocum will be someone we write more about over the next 2 seasons.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ElijahSlocum14/status/1835026808900567153 </div></figure>     The #2 overall QB in the 2026 class looked the part Friday night.   Before going out late in the 3rd with a apparent ankle injury, the West Virginia commit was 12 of 18 for 197 yards with 3 TDs.   Tall in the pocket that can make all the throws. McWhorter will be a standout at the next level.     Another new name for us of Friday, sure handed WR that plays a lot bigger than his posted size.   The 5'11 180 WR/DB can help you on both sides of the ball and in the return game. Good route runner that uses his speed to get open. Was the go to guy Friday for McWhorter catching 6 passes for 84 yards and scoring on a 22 yard TD catch.   Physical DB that loves to get downhill and hit in run support. Good cover guy with the speed to recover quickly.     The 2027 WR prospect is a guy we have been tracking for several years now at PRZ.   The 6'0 190 has good size and has really put the work in the weight room. Solid muscled frame that moves well and has good hands. He had 2 catches for 62 yards including a 45 yard TD catch on Friday.   Koep plays both ways for the Colonels starting and is a solid LB prospect on the defensive side of the ball.   He will be a Top 200 recruit before his high school career is over.

Hiram 41 Cass 27 F