Ringgold struggles against Calhoun juggernaut
The Ringgold Tigers, unexpectedly facing their worst season in years, offered little opposition to the undefeated and top-ranked Calhoun Yellow Jackets Friday night at Don Patterson Field.
Scoring all of their points in the first half, Coach Hal Lamb’s Jackets won their 137th consecutive region contest in much the same fashion as they had won their previous 136 – overwhelming the Tigers (1-4, 0-3) with depth and a relentlessly effective offense. Calhoun (5-0, 3-0) found the end zone in each of their six firsthalf possession en route to a 42-7 victory.
The Tigers managed only six first downs in the contest, as Cole Kibler – one of the area’s most accomplished passers – was held to a mere 80 yards on 9-of-23 attempts. Ringgold head coach Robert Akins was not immediately available as he conducted a coaches-only meeting late in the evening after quickly dismissing the players.
Calhoun wasted no time after Ringgold’s three-and-out opened the game as Brannon Spector hauled in a 25-yard pass from returning all-state quarterback Gavin Gray. The visitors would add four rushing touchdowns in the half, Bralin Barton getting the first on an end-around, Zack Fuller bulling in two from in close and Jankell Tolbert scoring from the seven shortly before the half.
Their other touchdown came on a 28-yard touchdown return by Tripp Hoblitzell off a Kibler pass one play after Blake Goldsmith had intercepted Gray.
The Tigers’ defense managed better than a stalemate against Calhoun’s second string, getting the second half’s only score on an Andre Tarver run after a blocked punt by Bryton Mccann that Mason Parker recovered. Brayden Broome also picked off a pass by Calhoun’s backup quarterback, Jake Morrow, returning it to the 11, but the Jackets’ defense sacked Kibler for a 15-yard loss in the process of holding on downs.
The second half was played with a running clock.
Ringgold will continue its Region 6-AAA schedule this Friday night at Sonoraville.