Wildcats rally for playoff win

Mike Duprez

Randolph Hub

Eastern Randolph is in the fourth round of the 1-A state playoffs but the Wildcats certainly had to work for it.

Ervodd Cassady ran 25 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, lifting the Wildcats to a come-from-behind 29-26 win over Robbinsville in a third-round game at Burton Cates Stadium.

It was one of three touchdowns for Cassady, who finished with 141 yards on 20 carries.

The Wildcats (11-1) had to overcome 520 yards total offense by Robbinsville, which ended the season 9-4. Cuttler Adams led the Black Knights with 33 carries for 214 yards.

Eastern Randolph led 22-12 at halftime before Robbinsville stormed back to take the lead. 

Adams scored on a 1-yard run and Bruce Adams tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Brock Adams to put the Black Knights in front.

Cassady’s first touchdown gave Eastern Randolph an early lead only to see the Black Knights get an equalizer. But the Wildcats remained in front when the two-point conversion was turned back.

A 32-yard touchdown run by Adams temporarily gave Robbinsville a 12-7 lead in the second quarter. The Wildcats went right back in front when D.J. Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown.

Cassady’s 4-yard touchdown run extended Eastern Randolph’s lead to 22-12.

Adams’ touchdown shaved Eastern Randolph’s lead to 22-18 in the third quarter.

The top-seeded Wildcats will play No. 4 Mount Airy on Friday at 7 p.m. at Burton Cates Stadium.