Calhoun rolls past Ridgeland to start new era of football

Calhoun running back Jerrian Hames is gang-tackled by Ridgeland's Jordan Blackwell (3), Terrance Roberts (6) and Jonathan Woodall (34) during Thursday's season opener in Rome, Ga. Calhoun won 38-8 at Barron Stadium in a matchup that was part of the opening day of the Corky Kell Classic.
Calhoun running back Jerrian Hames is gang-tackled by Ridgeland's Jordan Blackwell (3), Terrance Roberts (6) and Jonathan Woodall (34) during Thursday's season opener in Rome, Ga. Calhoun won 38-8 at Barron Stadium in a matchup that was part of the opening day of the Corky Kell Classic.
photo Calhoun's Grant Gilmer tries to break free of Ridgeland's King Mason on his way downfield during Thursday's season opener.

ROME, Ga. - It may be a new era for Calhoun High School football, but the Yellow Jackets appear to remain in good hands.

The perennial GHSA Class AAA power held AAAA's Ridgeland to 134 offensive yards and did not allow a score until the last 84 seconds of the game in a season-opening 38-8 win Thursday at Barron Stadium, part of the opening day of the Corky Kell Classic.

After losing 16 starters and longtime legendary head coach Hal Lamb to retirement, dominance between the white lines continued for the Jackets in their first game under new leader Clay Stephenson, a former Lamb assistant.

"There is a different motivation driving us this year," junior running back Jerrian Hames said after rushing for 177 yards on 19 carries and two scores, having played his last snap with 3:40 left in the third quarter.

"Everybody is doubting us because of all the players we lost and our head coach. But we are always a hard-working group that makes things pay off for us. After halftime we really got going, and I hit the holes my offensive line gave me and made it happen."

Hames gained 111 yards in the third quarter alone, bouncing off several tacklers to break a 53-yard touchdown up the right sideline to set up a 24-0 lead with 9:29 left in the quarter.

Calhoun's size and drive provided a difference in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

"Hats off to Calhoun," first-year Ridgeland coach Kip Klein said. "They are phenomenal year in and year out and haven't dropped off. We got a little winded and tired as the game went on. But we have to get our guys up to speed because we face some more tough tests going forward with teams like Troup and Sandy Creek."

Neither offense found a groove early, with eight of the first 27 plays from scrimmage losing yards.

Ridgeland's Terrance Roberts and Jeremiah Turner flew to the ball carrier to provide big stops, but the Panthers struggled to throw the ball and became somewhat predictable in their wildcat package.

Senior linebacker David Braden helped ignite the Jackets as he read the quarterback's eyes and made an impressive interception to set up a perfectly timed trick play.

Calhoun quarterback Jake Morrow slung a pass behind the line of scrimmage to the right sideline to Jake Prather. The backup quarterback and receiver found a wide-open Ethan Crump downfield for a 28-yard touchdown and the game's first points with 10:49 left in the second quarter.

"David's interception was huge," Stephenson said. "We preached to the guys for two weeks now things aren't going to go perfect to begin with. Offensively we were struggling a little bit. That interception gave us a spark, and then things started working out for us."

Calhoun allowed only three first downs in the first half, and Grant Gilmer's interception helped build a three-score lead heading into the break.

Ridgeland's Roberts had an impressive debut, totaling 82 yards on 14 touches and posting a 5-yard touchdown run late. The fleet-footed defensive back also had a game-high nine tackles (four for loss) and a sack.

The Jackets are at Sonoraville next week, when the Panthers travel to face Troup County, which won 12 games and made it to the AAAA state semifinals last season.

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

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