Georgia Class AAA state football final
Today at the Georgia Dome, 4:30 p.m. CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS (14-0) vs. WASHINGTON COUNTY GOLDEN HAWKS (14-0) Stars: Calhoun hasn’t put up big numbers offensively in the postseason, but with quarterback Kaelen Riley, three capable running backs and the Thomas Lester-led stable of receivers, the Jackets are capable of winning a shootout if needed. The defense is one of the top units in the state, led by end Landon Rice and elite linebackers Jireh Wilson, Austin Bennett and Tristan Fuller. WACO has the game’s most dangerous player in senior quarterback/defensive back A.J. Gray, a Georgia Tech commitment who has nearly 60 offensive touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Gray has capable help in the backfield from Darius Tucker, Justin Lawrence and Ethan Ray. The Hawks also have their share of defensive stars, led by linebacker Will Coneway, who has 161 tackles, including 29 for loss and nine sacks, and has forced seven fumbles. Logan Hunt is a two-way starter who is part of a sure-tackling front seven on defense.Storyline: Calhoun’s sure-tackling defense has passed somewhat similar tests in the past three playoff games, but Gray has a unique combination of size and speed. Offensively, Calhoun often goes at a quick pace and could do so again today to wear down a number of Washington County two-way starters, including Gray at cornerback as well as quarterback. However, if WACO’s offense proves hard to stop, expect the Jackets’ offense to go into clock-eating mode with short passes and inside runs. One major issue for Calhoun could be the absence of long-snapper Drew McCracken, who is out of the game after being ejected on a play out of bounds very late in the semifinal win over Westminster.How they got here: Second-ranked Calhoun, the Region 6 champion, defeated Rockmart 43-14, Cedar Grove 38-18, Elbert County 19-17 and Westminster 19-8. Top-ranked WACO has playoff wins over Jackson, 73-28; Callaway, 31-7; Pierce County, 62-35; and Blessed Trinity, 28-17.Coach’s quote: “Washington County is one of the best programs in the state. They’re very fast, very strong and well coached, and, like us, they’ve been here before. We have to play our best game to have a chance.”— Calhoun’s Hal Lamb
CALHOUN, Ga. — The word “aggressive” has been synonymous with the Calhoun High School football defense since Hal Lamb took over the program in 1999. The Yellow Jackets have made a living in opposing offensive backfields, disrupting plays before they can develop.
That plan, as good as it’s been to the 14-0 team, may get tweaked a bit for today’s GHSA Class AAA championship game against fellow unbeaten Washington County (4:30 in the Georgia Dome). The Calhoun defense has allowed under 10 points per game all season, and even less when considering the starters’ stats. However, the Jackets face a Golden Hawks offense that has set a state record for points with 717 (51.2 per game).
The numbers are even more eye-popping considering how Joel Ingram’s team gets it done.
Senior quarterback A.J. Gray is the focal point of every defense WACO faces, and with good reason. The Georgia Tech commitment and recently named Gatorade state player of the year has 2,236 yards rushing, 1,668 passing and 48 total touchdowns. Think those numbers were padded against weak teams? Gray has put up 745 yards and 11 touchdowns just on the ground in the team’s last two playoff wins.