Week 11 got started early, as Region 1’s Cairo and Shaw squared off Wednesday night at Kinnett Stadium in Columbus. The game was moved up to the middle of the week to avoid the Nor’easter-bred wind and rain that’s been forecasted for Thursday and Friday. Cairo ended up producing a 45-14 victory—earning themselves the Region 1-AAAA title, and improving coach Steven DeVoursney’s all-time record against the Raiders to 4-0.
Shaw received the opening kickoff and was forced to punt, but Cairo muffed it, and put the ball back in the Raiders’ hands. On the ensuing possession, the first of the game’s several ejections and skirmishes occurred on the Cairo sideline and a Shaw player was ejected. The Syrupmakers made another stop and Tay Solomon ran in the first score from 9 yards out with 4:13 left in the first quarter. Quarterback Ronnie Baker tossed to Cameron Goosby minutes later, and Goosby turned it into a 14-0 lead with a 60-yard score. A second Shaw player was ejected before the opening quarter came to a close.
Noah Jones added a 23-yard Cairo field goal to start the second quarter, Cam Jones scored on a fumble recovery touchdown and Nick Gosier added a 74-yard punt return touchdown to make it a 31-0 game at the half. Cairo got the ball to open the second half, and Tay Solomon returned to the end zone on a 26-yard carry. On Shaw’s next possession, Cairo defensive tackle Dylan James was thrown out of the game—and the 6-foot-4, 245-pound starter will have to sit out for the season finale against Dougherty as a result.
Shaw got on the board for the first time with 1:26 left in the third quarter. Nick Gosier returned the ensuing kickoff inside the Shaw 10-yard-line and then Solomon ran in his third touchdown to give Cairo a 45-7 lead entering the final frame. Shaw added its final touchdown with 9:44 left on the running clock.
Elsewhere in the classification, there will be several key matchups to keep an eye on. In Region 5, Sandy Creek and Cedartown square off in a game that will likely determine the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds. …Marist and Blessed Trinity will square off in a state championship rematch that will determine the Region 7 title and Oconee County and North Oconee will play for the No. 2 seed in Region 8.
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