Calhoun may have to lean on line, ground game to win GHSA state title

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Calhoun High School offensive linemen review video during their GHSA Class AAAAA semifinal against Blessed Trinity on Dec. 3. Calhoun won 24-7 to improve to 12-2 and will face Warner Robins (13-1) for the title at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Calhoun High School offensive linemen review video during their GHSA Class AAAAA semifinal against Blessed Trinity on Dec. 3. Calhoun won 24-7 to improve to 12-2 and will face Warner Robins (13-1) for the title at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta.

CALHOUN, Ga. - If Calhoun High School is to win its fifth GHSA football state championship, the Yellow Jackets will likely have to defeat two formidable opponents in the Class AAAAA final Saturday at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta.

Warner Robins (13-1) is going after its fifth consecutive title and entered the season, in some rankings, as the top team in Georgia regardless of classification. The Demons are loaded with college prospects, possess elite speed and size and have terrific depth.

As Calhoun coach Clay Stephenson described them, "They have no weaknesses and they are extremely well coached."

The Jackets (12-2), however, have slayed their share of giants over the years, including a win at Ware County in the second round of the playoffs last month. Ware County is the team that hung the loss on Warner Robins during the regular season. Of course, Warner Robins also owns a win over Cartersville, one of the teams that defeated Calhoun.

While the Demons are indeed elite, it's the second opponent that maybe concerns Calhoun even more with the title matchup set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. at the home of Georgia State University football (and formerly Atlanta Braves baseball as Turner Field). Heavy rain and wind is expected in the afternoon hours in Atlanta - some forecasts suggest gusts up to 50 mph - which would likely affect the Jackets' offense more severely than Warner Robins.

Calhoun relies on quick-hitting passes to speedsters Quin Smith, Cole Speer and a bevy of playmakers to loosen defenses up before pounding them with bruising backs Gage Leonard and Caden Williams. In the only other game the Jackets played in bad weather this season, the passing game was ineffective, allowing Cartersville to stack the defensive box and shut down the running game.

"We are trying to be as optimistic as I can about the weather, but it looks pretty bad right now," Stephenson said. "We've tried to tweak things, or at least have a plan to try and tweak things, if it does get bad. It's not ideal for either team."

photo Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Calhoun High School's Caden Williams signals for the home fans to cheer before a GHSA Class AAAAA semifinal against Blessed Trinity on Dec. 3. Williams and fellow running back Gage Leonard could be leaned on heavily Saturday afternoon, when the Yellow Jackets take on Warner Robins with a state title on the line.

Warner Robins, though, is comfortable lining up behind an offensive line that averages 280 pounds and simply letting backs Fred Perry and Chaz Sturn run downhill. Perry, who has filled in for injured starter Malcolm Brown (1,322 yards), has 1,208 yards and 22 touchdowns. Twice he has gone over 200 yards in the playoffs.

The Demons can throw it - quarterback Christon Lane has 2,381 yards and 29 touchdowns - but everything is set up by the run.

For Calhoun, given the expected conditions, getting its own ground game going is imperative.

"It's definitely going to be a huge factor, especially if it's raining," said offensive tackle Kendrick Kirby, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound senior. "We have to trust our backs and the guys up front to get the job done. They do a great job of stopping the run. They have two-gap players who, when they get their hands on you they can throw you out of the way and make tackles. We have to engage, lock on and work together.

"I think we are prepared for everything."

Calhoun's offense has had the luxury of starting the same five players up front every game this season. Kirby and right guard Jace Warren (6-1, 280) were returning starters, but there was concern about having to work in three new starters. However, what started out as a potential weakness is now a strength as center Ty Massey (6-0, 230), left guard Christian Bell (6-2, 220) and right tackle Brody Ballew (6-6, 275) have helped form a cohesive unit.

Kirby said they're as close off the field as on it. Every Tuesday, they gather at the home of their position coach to eat tacos, play pool, make fun of each other and sometimes talk football.

"We just hang out and have a good time," said Kirby, the group's pool shark. "We really are a brotherhood and, like brothers, we have each other's backs."

That has shown up on the field in an offensive scheme that often requires the linemen to get downfield.

"It starts up front with us, and those guys have done a tremendous job working with our line coach, Barry Hall," Stephenson said. "They've started 15 games together now and they're on the same page. They are able to correct each other if they see something wrong without the coaches having to say anything. It's been fun to watch their growth and maturity.

"It's going to be a tough test for us to run the ball, but in that weather we are going to have to be able to have success. I think these guys up front and our backs are up for the challenge."

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.

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