By Roger Propst
Calhoun's Middle School Red Devils traveled to Richwood last night on its longest road trip of the year to play the Patriots of Richwood Middle School, and came out on top of a 28-13 score to run its unbeaten record to 6-0.
Things did not begin well as game time approached and it became obvious that no game officials were in sight. It was learned that none had been contracted; therefore locals attending the game were utilized. These fellows did a good job and the game went off without a hitch.
Calhoun got a turnover on the kickoff when the ball hit a Richwood player in one of the up positions and Brandon Reed fell on the ball at the Patriot 37 yard line.
The Red Devils marched the ball downfield on the ground with Reed, Fluharty, and Zach Moore toting the pigskin to the 12 yard line. Moore then hit split end Aaron Yoak in the left flat for the touchdown and a 6-0 lead at the 4:29 mark of the 1st Quarter. The extra point attempt failed and the score remained 6-0.
After the kickoff, Richwood got the football at its own 25 yard line, but a quick three and out and a punt gave the ball back to Calhoun at its own 27.
The Red Devils marched downfield, but stalled and lost the ball on downs at the Richwood 23 yard line.
The Patriots moved the ball up field but turned it over at the Red Devil 41 yard line on a fumble. Calhoun misfired on three consecutive passes and was forced to punt.
Richwood took the football after the punt at its 35 yard line, and needed only two plays to light up the scoreboard.
After an eight yard gain on first down took the ball to the 43, the Patriot tailback broke through the line on a misdirection play and raced 57 yards to tie the game at 6-6 with only 41 seconds remaining in the 1st Half. The extra point kick split the uprights and Richwood led 7-6.
Not to be deterred by this revolting turn of events, the Red Devils got good field position on the kickoff with a good return out to the 46 yard line by Brandon Reed.
It would only take 31 seconds for Calhoun to go back into the lead as quarterback Zach Moore gained 37 yards on two carries down to the Patriot 17, before hitting tight end Jacob Haught for the touchdown with 10 seconds on the clock and a 12-7 Calhoun lead. The conversion was no good and the half ended, 12-7 Calhoun.
The 2nd Half began with Calhoun receiving the kickoff and returning to the Red Devil 32 yard line. Brandon Reed carried for 11 yards on the first two downs out to the 43, where Zach Moore kept the football, scampered outside and down the sideline on a 57 yard romp to pay dirt and an 18-7 Calhoun lead.
Moore kept the ball on the conversion and ran it in over the left side to extend the lead to Calhoun 20, Richwood 7 only one minute and 20 seconds into the 2nd half.
After the kickoff went into the end zone for a touchback, the Patriots began their drive at the 20 yard line. They moved the ball steadily down the field mostly on the ground, and appeared to be ready to score when disaster struck, if you were a Richwood fan.
On a 3rd down play from Calhoun's 12 yard line, Red Devil safety, Zach Moore picked off a Patriot pass at the five yard line and raced 95 yards down the left sideline for the score that for all intents and purposes ended Richwood's chances for an upset.
Moore hit Yoak for the two point conversion and the score stood at 28-7, Calhoun with 58 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter of the game.
The two teams battled back and forth in the final quarter with Calhoun getting to play its second teamers much of the time. Richwood hit a pass on the final play of the game for a meaningless score and the Red Devils left town with a 28-13 victory.
Calhoun travels to Elizabeth next Thursday night for a 6 p.m. contest with Wirt County Middle School.
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