Calhoun dominates first half, rolls 43-14

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Calhoun 43, Rockmart 14STAR: Calhoun linebacker Jireh Wilson had five tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks, in the first half as the Yellow Jackets built a 43-0 lead.UP NEXT: Calhoun hosts Cedar Grove or Westside Augusta in the second round of the Class AAA playoffs.

CALHOUN, Ga. - For a half Friday night, it was about as complete a football game as the Calhoun Yellow Jackets have played all season, and it was more than good enough for a 43-14 win over outmanned Rockmart.

The GHSA Class AAA first-round playoff win, highlighted by a Calhoun defense that allowed a net 10 yards in the first half, sends the second-ranked and 11-0 Jackets to the second round, where they will host Cedar Grove or Westside Augusta next Friday at Phil Reeve Stadium. Those teams are playing today.

"Our defensive staff does a good job getting the guys prepared, and we were real physical up front in the first half," Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said. "They have two really good-looking backs, and to hold them to 10 yards in the first half, I would say that's pretty good.

"I was very pleased with the first half. Our kids were really ready to play. This is a new level and we were ready offensively and defensively."

Calhoun scored on its first five possessions and added an Austin Bennett 28-yard fumble recovery for the huge halftime lead. Running back Cole Jackson scored the first two touchdowns on runs of 47 and 3 yards and ended the half with 102 yards on five carries. Quarterback Kaelen Riley was crisp, completing 7 of 10 passes for 105 yards and a pair of scores, including a 25-yard pass to Thomas Lester that made it 21-0 one minute into the second quarter.

Two plays later Bennett recovered a bad Rockmart snap to quarterback Griffin Earwood and ran untouched for another score. Rockmart (3-8) recorded two first downs on its initial drive, but Jireh Wilson, Landon Rice, Bennett and crew did not yield another one. Wilson, in particular, was dominating, recording five tackles for loss in the half.

"We knew we had to work hard and we all just read our keys and flew to the football like we're supposed to," Wilson said. "The weather could have affected us tonight, but great teams overcome that and we did. Our mindset is to get better every week because we know it's going to get tougher from here on."

Calhoun, which finished the half with 230 yards of offense, did not play its starters in the second half. Rockmart coach Bin Turner elected not to have a running clock in the third quarter and kept his starters in.

"The second half I just wanted to get our starters out," Lamb said, "and I was real surprised we didn't have a running clock starting out, but that's just part of it. Overall, it was a good effort."

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.

Upcoming Events