By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
Normally a 14-7 win would not be considered impressive.
But Saturday night's 14-7 Calhoun victory over Parkersburg Catholic at Stadium Field was impressive - very impressive. And here's why:
- It was the Red Devils first victory over PCHS since 1983.
- Despite the close score Parkersburg Catholic did not get close to scoring except for the fluke - great but fluke nonetheless - a 97-yard touchdown pass.
- Eddie Burrows, who was put on the hot seat when he was shoved into the fray for an injured Caleb Hart, rushed for 86 yards despite playing only one quarter in the backfield.
- Hart, who despite suffering an ankle injury, rolled up 136 yards and a touchdown in three quarters of play.
- Chance Hardway recovered two fumbles and absolutely obliterated PCHS'
running back Tommy Brunoni on a fourth-quarter tackle.
- Matt Houchin hit on seven of 14 passes as a quarterback and had an even bigger hit on PCHS' receiver Quinton Collie when Collie tried to pull in a pass. Collie did not catch the ball or get up quickly.
While Calhoun did a ton of things right, some spectacularly right, there was still some problems - the usual problems.
The Red Devils had too many penalties being flagged 10 times for 65 yards (PCHS had two for 10) including one that wiped out a 41-yard touchdown run by Houchin.
The Devils drove to the six but failed to score when PCHS picked off a pass.
The Devils were in PCHS territory several times but only scored twice - on a three-yard run by Jeff Goodrich and a one-yard plunge by Hart.
Calhoun also fell victim to its own defensive aggressiveness in the fourth quarter when it pinned PCHS at the three. On first down the Devils came roaring in on quarterback Jason Williams who flipped the ball to Christy on a screen. Christy sidestepped one tackle then outran the rest for a 97-yard score.
But all and all despite a close score the Red Devils were impressive in posting the 14-7 victory.
The win lifts the Red Devils to 4-0 on the season. It also gives the Red Devils a 7.50 rating which should move them up to the top eight in the standings.
The Red Devils are home to unbeaten Williamstown (4-0) Friday
night.
Parkersburg Catholic is now 2-2. It returns to action next Saturday night at home against Portsmouth, Ohio, Notre Dame.
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