CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS (11-1) AT LIBERTY COUNTY PANTHERS (9-3)
Storyline: A coin flip sends Calhoun on the road in this battle between region champions. While the Yellow Jackets have made 10 consecutive quarterfinal appearances and now 14 times overall under coach Hal Lamb, the road hasn’t been kind. Despite an 8-5 record in this round, Lamb’s teams are just 1-2 on the road. To advance the Jackets need to correct the offensive issues that plagued them in last Friday’s 28-20 win over Monroe Area. While RB Zack Fuller had 154 yards and two scores, the usually potent passing game was limited and numerous penalties didn’t help the cause. QB Gavin Gray and WRs Brannon Spector, Bralin Barton and Luke Moseley will need more production tonight against a Liberty team averaging more than 40 points in its seven-game win streak. The Panthers do most of their damage on the ground behind RB Kris Coleman, who has 1,767 yards and is averaging 9.4 yards per carry. QB Dionte Bowens has thrown for 1,025 and has 516 rushing, part of a ground game that has amassed 3,328 yards. The Calhoun defense held 1,700-yard rusher Chandler Byron to less than 50 yards last week as linemen C.J. Fuller and Brice Craig along with LBs Davis Allen and Bailey Lester controlled things up front. A key for the Jackets tonight is taking advantage of the aggressive nature of the Liberty defense, one that has 133 tackles for loss and 31 forced turnovers. Gray should have several downfield opportunities if the offensive line holds up.