Calhoun wins big in rivalry matchup
CALHOUN — In rivalry games, when you get the chance to put the opposing team away, you take it. You definitely do not want them to hang around and gain confidence as the game goes on.
Calhoun got a lead early on Friday over crosscounty foe Sonoraville and never let their foot off the gas to roll to a 41-3 victory.
The Jackets (7-1, 3-0 subregion) got a huge night through the air from Gavin Gray and a suffocating effort from their defense as they turned a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter into a 34-3 advantage at the half. They then added one more score in the third quarter before both teams opted to use the younger players on the roster as time drained away due to the running clock.
Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said his team knew they had to take advantage of the game early on to keep Sonoraville (4-5, 1-3 subregion) from grasping any kind of momentum.
“It’s really big ... you can’t let a team like Sonoraville hang around because they can hurt you if you let them,” said Lamb. “But I was really pleased with how we played. We were very physical on defense and did our job on that side of the ball, and our offense executed in the running game and passing game.
Calhoun 41, Sonoraville 3
It was a great team win overall.”
Gray finished the night with 358 yards on 19-of-23 passing for 358 yards and four touchdowns in just two quarters plus one series of work in the third. He spread it out to five different receivers led by Drew Rutledge with four catches for 141 yards and two touchdowns, including an 83-yarder. Tyler Putnam also caught six passes for 93 yards, and Bralin Barton had two catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
“Gavin played really well, and he even had some drops from his receivers that could’ve made it an even bigger night for him,” said Lamb of his junior signal-caller. “He threw it well and made the right decisions. He just keeps getting better and better with each game.”
Calhoun will be on the road next Friday for a big subregion game at Bremen as it could lock up the No. 1 spot in 6-3A South with a win.
“Obviously that’s a huge game, and both teams know that,” said Lamb. “We’re going to be going down there for the first time, and I hear it’s a tough environment like our fans make it here. It’s a big game. We’ll be ready to go.”
Sonoraville is idle next week and will wait to see who their opponent will be on Nov. 3 in the Region 6-3A Play-in game.