Cairo takes control of Region 1-AAAA race

Published 11:48 pm Friday, October 5, 2018

CAIRO, Ga. — The Cairo Syrupmakers took a big step toward their goal of another year with a playoff berth and a home playoff game.

The Syrupmakers routed Carver-Columbus 43-14 Friday night in the battle of the last two unbeaten teams in Region 1-AAAA.

“Right now, we’re in the driver’s seat,” Cairo coach Steve Devoursney said. “We’re the only team in the region that doesn’t have a loss in the region. It’s all in our hands and that’s what you want at the end of the day.”

Cairo’s defense made the first big play of the night, forcing a fumble at the Syrupmakers’ 2-yard line on the Tigers’ opening possession. 

The Syrupmakers offense didn’t get untracked until late in the first quarter, and Jamarcus Vicks scored from 2 yards out with 1:55 to go in the opening quarter.

Matthew Peters scored on the next possession on a 6-yard run, and Nick Gosier’s 14-yard run — along with Jarion Carter’s two-point conversion — gave Cairo a 22-0 lead.

Carver (6-1, 4-1 region) threatened again in the first half’s final seconds, but John Carter’s interception at the 13 thwarted the drive.

“They can score at any time,” Devoursney said. “We were fortunate to get some turnovers. They have some big time weapons with their running backs and receivers. I’m proud of our defense for the way they fought all the way to the end.”

Cairo held on fourth down after a long Carver drive to open the second half, but the Tigers blocked Noah Jones’ punt and Jacorey Harper recovered it in the end zone. Jaylen Joyner’s two-point conversion pass to Jacyias Credle cut the lead to 22-8.

“We did a good job defensively, and offensively too,” Devoursney said. “We let them block a punt for a touchdown. That kind of hurt us.”

But the Syrupmakers answered quickly and decisively. Tay Solomon raced down the sidelines, diving for the pylon to finish off a 31-yard touchdown run.

On Cairo’s next possession, Gosier took a sweep left and dashed 44 yards for a touchdown and a 36-8 lead.

Marquii Lovejoy tacked on the Syrupmakers’ final points, leaping over a Carver defender to haul in Ronnie Baker’s 30-yard touchdown pass with 8:56 remaining.

“They’ve got a good team and a bunch of athletes,” Devoursney said of Carver. “To get away with a victory is what we wanted.  This is a little icing on the cake.”

Carver finished with 344 yards of offense, and running back Khiari McCoy had 158 yards for the Tigers.

Cairo improved to 5-2 on the season and 5-0 in the region and the Syrupmakers are off until they host Americus-Sumter on Oct. 19. Devoursney would not go so far as to say the win made a statement about his team.

“Westover almost came back and beat us, so that made a statement, too,” he cautioned. “We’ve just got to keep playing one game at a time. Americus is going to be a big game for us.”

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.