By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
Calhoun did something rare and unexpected when it opened the 2015 high school football season against Gilmer Friday night at Mount Zion - it pitched a shutout, 13-0.
The shutout was rare for two reasons: First, Calhoun hasn't had many shutouts in the past several years; second Gilmer County is supposed to have a very good offense featuring running backs Noah Aviles and Cole Haley.
Yet the Calhoun defense shut out the Titans and held them to 115 yards total offense of which 64 came on the ground, with Haley getting 31 and Aviles 22.
Calhoun only had 255 yards total offense but it was enough as Seth Moore scored two touchdowns.
Moore scored on a four-yard run in the first quarter and added an 11 yard score in the second quarter. Dustin Holcomb hit on one of two extra point kicks to set the final score.
Gilmer tried a ground control offense in the first quarter that ate up more than six minutes before Calhoun stopped it.
The Red Devils didn't fare much better of their first offensive series but a booming 52-yard punt by Cole Ritchie pinned the Titans deep in their own territory.
After forcing Gilmer to punt again Calhoun took the ball down the field with Moore getting the final two yards with 1:17 remaining in the first quarter.
It did not take the Red Devils long to score again with Moore going in from the 11 with 7:37 remaining in the first half.
The second half was a scoreless affair.
The closest Gilmer came to scoring was when it recovered a fumble at the Calhoun 14 but was unable to punch it in. Calhoun, too, had a couple of close calls once advancing the the 11 before being stalled on downs and once late in the game when it was stopped inside the five.
Cole Ritchie led the way with 92 yards on 19 carries while Casey Ritchie backed him up with 37 yards on 11 carries. Moore added 18 yards on three carries.
Casey Ritchie hit on three of six passes for 88 yards. Ethyn Miller caught two for 68 yards while Johnny Taylor had one reception for 20 yards.
Dakota Jarvis almost had a pick six as he picked off a Titan pass and raced 45 yards before being pulled down.
Calhoun returns to action this coming Friday night at Sherman High School while Gilmer plays South Harrison.
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