Jackets coast past LFO for 16th straight region title
Calhoun puts game away early as they clinch No. 1 seed for State playoffs
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets displayed a strong proficiency in all facets of the game in a 48-0 dismantling of the LFO Warriors on Friday night. The victory clinched the Region 6-AAA Championship and secured a No. 1 Class AAA State Playoffs seed for the Jackets, who left no doubt as to why they were crowned.
It’s the 16th consecutive region title for the Yellow Jackets (8-2, 5-0), which represents one of the most dominant streaks in the state. The title caps off a regular season where Calhoun showed resiliency throughout.
“There were a lot of doubters earlier in the season, but all the credit goes to these kids and coaches that never quit and always believed in the process,” Calhoun head coach Hal Lamb said. “Sixteen in a row is amazing for our program.”
On Friday, the Yellow Jackets offensive attack primarily leaned on the arm of sophomore quar- terback Gavin Gray, who picked apart the LFO secondary for large gains at will.
After the Warriors (1-9, 1-4) tried to ambush Calhoun on a failed onside kick attempt, the Jackets took full advantage of the short field. Gray promptly hit receiver Malik Lawrence on a quick 18-yard pass before throwing a 23-yard dart to receiver Bryson Davis.
Gray finished off the first drive by rolling out and quickly throwing to Ryan Randall, who easily coasted in for the 10-yard touchdown while wearing the No. 2 jersey in honor of his injured teammate Olico Dennis.
LFO offense stalled with turnovers most the game, with the first proving to be a costly fumble that was pounced on by linebacker Davis Allen on the Warrior’s 16-yard line.
Calhoun’s offense proved immediately opportunistic, converting the turnover into seven points as running back Zach Fuller knifed through the LFO defensive front for a threeyard rushing score.
LFO quarterback Zach Vaughn tried to keep pace with the Calhoun offense, airing the ball out deep down the field on the next drive. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the pass was snagged out of the air by defensive back Brannon Spector.
On the very next play, Gray dropped back and rifled a 44-yard strike to Luke Moseley, who out-muscled the defender for a receiving touch- down and a commanding 20-0 lead with a couple minutes left to go in the first.
Calhoun wasn’t finished in the first quarter. With less than 10 seconds left on the clock, Gray took the snap and dropped a 56-yard pass to Luke Jones to add a resounding exclamation mark to an extremely efficient quarter of play.
The Jackets offense managed to pick up right where it left off at the start of the second quarter. Running back Jess Ralston busted off a 30-yard run, before rumbling for a nine-yard rushing touchdown to push the score to 34-0.
Spector made another impressive read on a Vaughn pass on the next drive, intercepting the deep toss around midfield and setting up more great field position for the Jackets.
Calhoun swiftly found the end zone again. This time, Gray found Davis on a quick screen and Davis did the rest, sprinting past the LFO secondary for an explosive 49-yard score.
Running back Keenon Dixon got in the action, contributing a 38-yard rushing touchdown to close out the first half and invoking a running clock for the entire second half.
Gray was pulled near the end of the second quarter. Gray’s abbreviated, but masterful, performance included completing all six attempted passes for 202 yards and four consecutive touch- downs.
Calhoun’s starting offense compiled 321 yards before the reserves and junior varsity members of the team were given the opportunity to get some reps in the second half.
“We just wanted to execute and take care of business on offense,” Lamb said. “That is exactly what we did.”
The Calhoun defense held the LFO offense in check most of the night, stopping them on fourth and goal on the team’s best opportunity to score.
Next on the slate for Calhoun is the first round of the Class AAA State Playoffs, which begin next Friday. The Jackets will host Monroe Area, the No. 4 seed from Region 8-AAA.