Morgan County senior tailback Jasper Cason came up big for his team in last Friday’s second-round playoff game against Sumter County.
Cason, who transferred in from Camden County during the offseason, scored the game’s go-ahead touchdown via the ground with just over a minute left. The Dogs went up 36-30 over the Panthers and never looked back, as their defense came up with an interception on the next drive to secure the win.
“Jasper came in and gave us a charge,” Morgan County head coach Clint Jenkins said. “He ended up scoring the last touchdown to put us up for good. Just a really, really good night for Jasper. He did a great job.”
Morgan and Sumter battled the entire night. The Dogs held a six-point lead at the half after the Panthers got up 8-0 at the end of the first quarter.
However, Morgan's disastrous third quarter almost led to a loss. Sumter took advantage of several turnovers and took the lead.
Junior tailback Christian Monfort put the Dogs in a hole with a costly fumble early in the third quarter. A Panthers’ defender picked up the ball and ran it back for six. Their kicker nailed the PAT, and they took a 15-14 lead.
Morgan quarterback Davis Strickland was also picked off in the third quarter, but the team’s defense held strong on the ensuing drive. The Dogs regained the lead as Cason rushed for his first score, but it didn’t last long.
Sumter ended the third period with the lead, as quarterback Aaron Kearney passed a touchdown to wideout Ishmael Jones. The Panthers attempted a two-point conversion and got it, taking a 23-20 lead into the fourth.
Morgan tied the game early in the final quarter, with kicker Evan Johnson nailing a field goal. However, Sumter took the lead again, as playmaker Da’montae Reeves returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards to the house.
The Panthers led 30-23 until around the four-minute mark, when Monfort, who rushed 207 yards, made it a one-point game with a touchdown. Johnson then tied it up at 30-30 as he knocked the PAT through the uprights. Morgan’s defensive unit came in clutch on the game’s next possession with a fumble recovery, leading to Cason’s 30-yard touchdown rush.
The Dogs had three rushers go over the century mark. After Monfort, Cason rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, followed up by Jordan Gordon, who totaled 108 yards on five attempts with a score.
Strickland completed 15 of 26 passes for 113 yards with an interception and a touchdown.
With the win, Morgan County heads back to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1990. The Dogs also won at least 10 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1961-62.
“It was a really big win,“ Jenkins said. “I’m really proud of our kids. They toughed it out for a second straight week. Lots of resiliency in that.“
Next, Morgan (11-1) will travel to Rockmart (10-2), which was Class 2A’s runner-up last year. The Dogs can make more history with the win over the Yellow Jackets. They haven’t been to a semifinal since 1961.
Jenkins knows Rockmart will be his team’s toughest test of the season.
“[Rockmart] is a really solid team,” Jenkins said. “They’re good at the skill positions. They’re good at wideout. The running back is good. They’re tough and physical up front on both sides of the ball. This is what you’re going to get when your team gets to the third or fourth round. The good teams are left. They’re very well-coached and it’ll be a good challenge for us.”