The defending Class AA state champion Calhoun Yellow Jackets have arrived at the midway point of their 2012 season, and they couldn’t possibly be in a better position.

The Jackets are 5-0 for the fourth straight season, including two wins in Region 7-AA, and have truly been tested by several good teams, passing the test in all instances.

Now, Calhoun enters their bye week as they will reflect on the success so far and also look forward to the possibilities of what is to come this fall.

“We’ve had an interesting five games to say the least,” said Calhoun coach Hal Lamb. “Those first three were very exciting, and we were fortunate to get those wins. Since then, we haven’t played as well as we would’ve liked in our two region games, but we are right where we want to be at 2-0.”

Most recently, the Jackets defeated Coosa, 35-0, this past Friday, in what Lamb would agree to as not his team’s best performance this year.

Still, they were good enough to get the win on the road thanks to a big night from Alex Urbano, who rushed for 143 yards on 15 carries and two TDs.

He also caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Taylor Lamb. Lamb finished with 228 yards on 18-of-30 passing and three TDs himself.

Taylor Lamb is a part of the senior class that was asked before the season to step up and take on the leadership role left by the huge senior class from last year’s state title winning team. Hal Lamb said they’ve done just that.

“We’ve been pleased with how the seniors have stepped up,” said Lamb. “Obviously, as coaches we always feel like there’s areas where they can be better at that. But we’ve been very pleased with them so far and will continue to look to them to keep getting better in that area.”

The Jackets, along with the rest of the 7-AA teams, will now enjoy a bye week before picking back up with the region schedule on Oct. 12. Lamb said the bye week came at just the right point in the season.

“I think it’s important for us because we are at the point where we need a little rest, but at the same time, we’ll use it to try to get better,” said Lamb. “We’re going to take it slow and easy this week, and we’ll start getting ready for Pepperell at some point this week. We’ll take some things that they do well and work on them.

“We’re also a little beat up right now with some injuries so this will be a good opportunity to try to get those guys healthy.”

After taking the day off on Monday, Lamb said his team would practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before probably giving the players Friday off as well.

Calhoun is back at home next Friday, hosting Pepperell, in a rematch of last year’s Region 7-AA Championship Game, which the Jackets won, 59-20.