Cedartown, Rockmart fall in first round of playoffs.
Calhoun is on a roll. After an undefeated regular season, the Jackets stormed past the Rockmart Yellow Jackets, 43-14, in GHSA Playoff 1st round action.
Calhoun jumped on Rockmart early when, with only a few minutes into the game, star running back Cole Jackson took the handoff and blew past defenders for a 47-yard touchdown run to put his Jackets up, 70. Jackson wasn’t done. With 2:53 left to go in the 1st, he scored again, this time on a simple 3-yard rushing play.
In the 2nd quarter, quarterback Kaelan Riley got a piece of the action as well as he threw a nice 25-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Lester in the endzone.
Calhoun was successful on a two-point conversion attempt and lead at that point, 22-0.
Then the tough and physical Calhoun defense made a huge play as linebacker Austin Bennett scooped up a Rockmart
fumbled snap in Rockmart territory and took it to the house. Then with 2:28 remaining, running back Olico Dennis ran it in from 7-yards out to put Calhoun up over Rockmart at halftime, 430.
At the start of the 3rd period, Coach Hal Lamb put in his backups, and they got considerable playing time. Calhoun did not score in the 2nd half, but many underclassmen were given the opportunity to gain valuable experience. Rockmart erased their goose egg on the scoreboard with two 4th quarter scores. One was on a 55-yard touchdown scamper by Jermonte Thompson and a scoop and score by Quincy Allen on a muffed punt snap deep in Calhoun territory. Calhoun still won decisively, 43-14, over Rockmart.
Calhoun’s defense made their presence felt as they have all season with another solid night. Calhoun’s prolific offense was led on the ground by star rusher Cole Jackson who amassed 102 yards on only 5 touches with 2 touchdowns. Kaelan Riley led the Jackets’ air attack as he went 7-of-10 for over a 100 yards and a score. Chaz Moss led Calhoun in receiving with 40 yards on 3 catches.
Rockmart struggled in all phases of the game against Calhoun. Not only were the hometown Jackets clearly the better team, but it didn’t help matters that Rockmart hurt themselves mightily as well. They committed multiple penalties and turned the ball over 3 times including an interception near the end of the game by Calhoun’s Malik Lawrence. They also struggled with blocking Calhoun’s front seven and with snapping.
Overall, Calhoun looks to be in very good shape for a deep run in the playoffs. They added a resounding 43-14 playoff win to their resume after a brilliant regular season. Give credit to Rockmart though, they never quit. Calhoun is looking to get back to the Georgia Dome, but another hungry opponent will look to put an end to the dreams of Calhoun next Friday. They will host the winner of Saturday’s WestsideAugusta and Cedar Grove matchup.