Calhoun rallies to top Ringgold in 6-AAA game

photo Calhoun's Cole Jackson (28) breaks into the open for a big gain.

RINGGOLD, Ga. -- Hal Lamb doesn't get to turn on his fiery side often, but the Calhoun High School football coach was more than a little hot as his team trailed 10-7 at Ringgold Friday night.

The Yellow Jackets, summarily fired up, used a defensive-led second-half rally to win the huge early Region 6-AAA game, 27-13. Lamb lit into his team after watching the Tigers control every facet of the game early. Ringgold had a 34-to-16 edge in offensive plays in the first half against a team that normally does that to the opposition.

After halftime Calhoun (5-0, 3-0) put up 244 of its 413 total yards and allowed Ringgold (3-2, 1-2) just 84 yards.

"We came out ready to fight," said junior defensive end Landon Rice. "We were just mad because Coach got on us pretty good. We knew it was going to be a new game. We've won so many region games that we had to win. We just had to refocus in the second half and turn it up. We just out-physicaled them."

The future Auburn Tiger harassed Ringgold quarterback Devin Lancaster repeatedly in the second half and was part of a strong surge that led to the game's biggest play. Calhoun had just moved 65 yards in only four plays to take a 20-13 lead on Kaelen Riley's 3-yard keeper as the fourth quarter opened when disaster struck the Tigers.

Lancaster, forced out of the pocket, went down and fumbled on the next play, with Calhoun's Dustyn Harris recovering at the Ringgold 30. Riley, who himself was running for his life most of the game, hit Drew McCracken for 26 yards on third-and-7 to the 1. Cole Jackson scored on the next play for a suddenly large 27-13 lead.

Ringgold forced four Calhoun turnovers but managed to turn none of them into points. The Tigers, behind inspired defensive play from Michael King, Seth Pierce and Zach Morris, kept Calhoun at bay most of the first half despite allowing plays of 33, 70 and 50 yards. When Kile Sholl scored from 6 yards out just before halftime, Ringgold led 10-7 and the upset appeared within reach, but coach Robert Akins was worried.

"I told them not to be happy at the half because that team is getting chewed out by Coach Lamb and they will come out fired up," Akins said. "I thought we came out ready to play, but offensively we missed some things with our timing, and that's my fault. The kids gave the best effort I've seen since I've been here."

Lamb, still seething a bit afterward, was thrilled to escape.

"It feels good to have your C game or B game -- it certainly wasn't our A game -- and find a way to win a big football game," he said. "I thought our kids played much better in the second half. We just kept fighting, and that's what I told them at halftime. Things don't always go as you plan, and that's what I told them at the half, but they found a way to win."

Dennis led Calhoun with 81 yards on eight carries, with Jackson adding 78 on seven carries. Sholl, after a big first half with 175 all-purpose yards, was held to 1 yard in the second half. Lancaster finished with 197 yards passing, 78 of them to Garrett Yates.

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

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