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.”