Jackets show depth, skill in 6-AAA win
Calhoun has 7 different goal scorers vs. Ringgold
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets once again showed off their depth and skill on Friday several different players contributing in a big way for a dominant region home win.
The Jackets racked up six goals before halftime and were able to push in four more in the second half despite a packed in defense to earn a 10-0 mercy-rule victory over the visiting Ringgold Tigers in 6-AAA action.
Calhoun (7-3, 3-0) had seven different players score goals and three dish out assists to show their versatility and multiple scoring possibilities as a team. Calhoun coach Matt Rice said the team continues to develop as the season goes on and continues to implement what the work on in practice into games.
“I’m proud of our guys…We got a lot of people involved today and also was able to keep the shutout,” said Rice. “I’ve been impressed with this group with what I see from them go from the practice field to games.
“Depth is so important no matter what sport, and it has really been big for us. It helps you get to a different level when you have so many guys that are talented and capable of doing different things and doing them well. When we get everyone involved, it makes it hard to prepare for us. I’m really impressed with our team and how we’ve improved this year.”
The Jackets showed their dominance early, controlling possession from the first kick. Jorge Aranda got the Jackets on the board in the sixth minute with the first of his three goals on the night for the hat trick. Irvin Campos added goals in the 11th and 20th minute that looked almost identical, coming on headers off corner kicks from teammate Eric Garcia, who finished with two assists.
Garcia got into the scoring column himself in the 26th minute to make it 4-0, and Brock Stewart added a goal of his own three minutes later. The first-half scoring came to a close in the 35th minute with Daniel Isep putting one in to make it 6-0 at the half.
Despite Ringgold playing all 11 players in the defensive half of the field most of the time in the second half, Calhoun managed to work its way to four more goals. Aranda added his second and third goal in the 42nd and 63rd minute, one coming off an indirect kick in the box after the Ringgold goalkeeper picked up a back pass from a teammate.
Completing the scoring for the Jackets was Brandon Barrios with a goal in the 75th minute and then Alex Avalos forced the mercy rule with the team’s 10th goal of the game in the final minute of regulation.