RINGGOLD, Ga. - In a word, this 2018 incarnation of the Calhoun Yellow Jackets is relentless.
Their deep passing game was inefficient, their kicking game has been better, but more than anything - as the host Ringgold Tigers found out Friday night - is that the top-ranked Yellow Jackets keep on coming like, yes, an angry swarm.
Using big plays on offense and defense with a 98-yard drive thrown in for good measure, the Yellow Jackets scored 42 first-half points and won 42-7 in a Region 6-AAA contest at Don Patterson Stadium. The win was Calhoun's fifth in five 2018 games, its third in the region, while Ringgold shockingly fell to 1-4 and 0-3.
The Tigers managed only six first downs in the contest, as Cole Kibler - one of the area's most accomplished passers - was held to a mere 80 yards on 9-of-23 success. Tigers coach Robert Akins was not immediately available as he conducted a coaches-only meeting late in the evening after quickly dismissing the players.
Calhoun wasted no time after Ringgold's three-and-out opened the game, Brannon Spector streaking in on a 25-yard pass from returning all-state mention Gavin Gray. The visitors added four rushing touchdowns in the half, Bralin Barton getting the first on an end-around, Zach Fuller bulling in two from in close and Jankell Tolbert scoring from the 7 shortly before halftime.
The Yellow Jackets' other touchdown came on a 28-yard return by Tripp Hoblitzell off a Kibler pass one play after Blake Goldsmith intercepted Gray.
The Tigers' defense managed better than a stalemate against Calhoun's second string, getting the second half's only score on an Andre Tarver run after a blocked punt by Bryton McCann that Mason Parker recovered.
Brayden Broome also picked off a pass by Calhoun's backup quarterback, Jake Morrow, returning it to the 11. But the defense sacked Kibler for a 15-yard loss in the process of holding on downs.
The second half was played with a running clock.
Contact David Jenkins at sports@timesfreepress.com