Macon took a 17-14 lead into halftime Friday night in Jefferson City, then sent its junior varsity out for the second half. Capital City kept many of its starters in and scored the last 26 points to win the high school football exhibition 40-17 on the Cavaliers' homecoming night.
The game doesn't count on either team's record. Macon's scheduled opponent, Highland, forfeited, and Macon coach Van Vanatta and Capital City coach Joe Collier arranged the exhibition, according to the broadcast.
Macon's opening drive stayed alive when Capital City was flagged for encroachment on fourth-and-3. Talen Holman rolled left and found Rance Crouch in the back of the end zone with 6:56 left in the first quarter.
Capital City answered on its first possession. Kanai Johnson pushed the Cavaliers into Macon territory, and Andre Oguzie broke tackles on a run inside the 10 before scoring the touchdown that tied it 7-7.
Macon went back in front with 7:53 left in the half. Paxton Jones was first marked short at the goal line, but officials ruled it a touchdown. Oguzie tied it again 1:16 later, juking left and beating Macon's Javen Ellis around the edge on a long touchdown run.
Joey Robertson kicked a field goal with 1:24 left before the half for Macon's 17-14 lead.
That was the last of the Macon starters. Keala Kahele stayed at quarterback for the Cavaliers in place of the injured Cooper Welling, and Capital City leaned on Johnson. He ripped off a 23-yard run on the opening drive of the second half and finished it from close range to put the Cavaliers up 21-17.
After a Macon three-and-out, Kahele pitched to Johnson, who broke free to the Macon 9. Johnson scored on the next play to make it 28-17 with about four minutes left in the third quarter.
Logan Lane added a Capital City field goal early in the fourth. A Macon snap sailed into its own end zone for a safety with about five minutes left, and Wyatt Vanderslice scored from the 2 to make it 40-17. Caleb Long intercepted a pass with 56 seconds left to end Macon's last drive.
A freshman quarterback ran Macon's offense in the second half.