"Calhoun's a very big football team with a strong-armed quarterback that challenged us the whole game," head coach Marty Moore said. "At no point were we comfortable with our lead because they are capable of scoring so quickly.
"Our undersized team played a very disciplined game. We didn't jump off sides a lot or make a lot of silly penalties."
The Colonels scored the first time they got the ball on a first-quarter run by Lane but missed the PAT and took a 6-0 lead.
Calhoun responded with a 65-yard touchdown strike on their second play from scrimmage, then made their PAT to claim a 7-6 lead.
That lead held up until the second quarter when Cass's Cameron Simpson capped a Colonel drive with a one-yard run. The Colonels tried unsuccessfully to make a two-point conversion. The Cass defense then made the 12-7 lead hold up until the break.
In the third quarter Cass bought a lot of breathing room with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Boo Reed from Lane. Once again the Colonels went for two points and failed, but the touchdown gave them a comfortable 18-7 lead.
The Colonels then turned the game over to their defense, which stayed on task and preserved the victory.
Moore said the victory had roots in Cass's loss a year ago in the first round of the playoffs. "We told the kids that playoffs are won by the teams that are the most physical. They bought into the game plan all year and became a very physical team.
"They worked hard in the off-season in the weight room, and it's starting to show now."
He said that effort came from the players but others helped.
"It was a total team effort from players, parents and everybody connected to the program," he said. "Everybody jumped in and helped."
He also credited the win to the defensive plan drawn up by Cass coaches.
"Coach Eric Elrod, our defensive coordinator, had a great game plan. Other than the kid making an NFL-type play to score when we had triple coverage, we were able to shut them down."
Cass also provided some offensive fireworks."Boo Reed had a highlight-reel type play, a diving catch for 36 yards," he said. "It kept a drive alive for us, and we were able to score."
Leading the aerial attack for Cass was Simpson, who totaled 143 yards through the air.
Reed proved his favorite target, with 77 yards in receiving yards. Elliot Anderson caught a 28-yard pass.
Lane led the team with 45 yards rushing, including one touchdown.
Defensively, Reed was credited with nine tackles, one sack, one pass breakup and one interception.
Lane got one interception; Brandon Green, five tackles, one sack and one hurry; Alex Davidson, five tackles, one pass breakup; Austin Anderson, three tackles and a fumble recovery. Other defensive leaders were Noah Foley, Marcus Robinson and Joseph Kennemore.