By Roger Propst
rpropst@frontiernet.net
Tailback Ben Laughlin led the Calhoun Middle School Red Devils to a come from behind 14-8 win over Gilmer Middle School Thursday night at Morris Field in Glenville. Laughlin gained 129 yards rushing, scored the Red Devils' first touchdown on a two-yard run, and threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Tyler Bennett with 1:12 remaining in the game. This was the team's 1st win of the season, marking the end of a three-game road stint to open the 2006 season.
Calhoun won the coin toss but elected to defer its option to the 2nd half, Gilmer choosing to receive to open the game. The Titans began their initial drive after the kickoff at their 39-yard line, moving the ball steadily downfield for a 1st and goal at the Red Devil 8-yard line. The Devil defense rose up and stopped the drive and took possession on downs at the 6-yard line.
After an illegal procedure penalty and a short run by Laughlin, quarterback Dylan Mefford pitched the ball to Laughlin who hit flanker Tyler Bennett in stride at the 35-yard line, and Bennett out-raced everyone for an apparent 96-yard touchdown. However, the Red Devils were penalized again for illegal procedure and the play came back. The possession then stalled and Corey Metz was forced to punt with Gilmer getting the ball at the Calhoun 39-yard line.
Gilmer again moved the ball to a 1st and 10 at 15-yard line, but was unable to score, and the Red Devils took over on downs at the 14-yard line. Calhoun moved the ball out to the 34 before losing the ball on a fumble at the 32-yard line.
This time Gilmer would not be denied as they quickly moved the ball on three running play into the end zone and a 6-0 lead at the 4:38 mark of the 2nd Quarter. The run for the two-point conversion was good and the score stood at 8-0.
Calhoun answered the score in just over 2 minutes after recovering the Titans onside kick attempt at its own 46-yard line. Laughlin carried on the 1st play for four yards, but 15 more were tacked on for a face-mask penalty and the Red Devils were in business at the Gilmer 35. Laughlin then carried the pigskin on runs of 8, 2, 20, 3, and the final two for the score at the 2:19 mark of the 2nd Quarter. Mefford then skirted around left end for a two-point conversion and the score was tied 8-8.
The Devils survived another scare at the end of the half when Gilmer moved the ball for a 1st and goal from the 4-yard line, but fumbled and Calhoun's Evan Mace recovered to stop the drive.
Calhoun got the ball to open the 2nd half and moved deep into Gilmer territory before losing the ball on downs at the Titan 17. Gilmer ran four plays before fumbling the ball back to the Red Devils at the 38-yard line. Calhoun moved the ball for a 1st down, but then stalled and gave the ball back on downs to Gilmer at the Gilmer 33-yard line.
Gilmer marched the ball downfield and into Calhoun territory before stalling and giving up the ball on downs at the Calhoun 29-yard line. Things looked bleak as the Red Devils threw and incompletion on 1st down, Laughlin went for eight on 2nd down, and a bad snap on 3rd forced a 4th and four at the 35. With time running down in the game, Coach Rex Yoak called for a fake punt, and Laughlin took the ball from the up back position and ran 21 yards for a 1st down at Gilmer's 44-yard line. The Devils moved to the 24 on a middle screen to Laughlin, followed by runs of 6 and 5 yards by Laughlin. On 2nd and 5 from the 24, Laughlin hit Tyler Bennett on a crossing pattern, and he was off to the races for the score with 1:12 showing on the clock remaining in the game. The two-point attempt was not good and Calhoun led 14-8.
Gilmer got one more shot at the ball, but Tyler Bennett ended the Titans' last drive with and interception, and the Red Devils had their 1st win of the 2006 season.
The Red Devils finally get to play at home next week, hosting Ritchie County at Red Devil stadium at Mt. Zion.
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