However, the team was able to get their kicker back at the last minute after he was cleared to play by a doctor, while wearing an air cast.
Brandon Blaylock made the most of his playing time by connecting on a 24 yard field goal with 15.5 seconds remaining to win the game 17-14.
“That was the most important field goal we have ever had in the ten years that I have been at Calhoun,” said CMS head coach Eric Rigney. “He really came through for us today.”
After a 14-14 first half, both defenses tightened up in the final two quarters, and neither team was able to successfully work the ball down the field.
Calhoun’s game winning kick was set up by a bad snap during a Cartersville punt attempt, which left the Yellow Jackets in good field position.
Calhoun took an early lead in the game when Tydus Curtis ran the opening kickoff back 70 yards for the touchdown. Blaylock hit the point after for a 7-0 lead.
The score remained the same for the rest of the first half, with both teams threatening to score but neither doing so.
With 5:47 remaining in the second quarter Cartersville narrowed the lead to one on a five run for a TD. They attempted a 2-point conversion but failed.
Five minutes later Cartersville took the lead with a 20 yard interception return for a touchdown. After a two-point conversion, they took a 14-7 lead.
With just under 40 seconds to go before halftime, it looked as though the Purple Hurricanes would take a seven point lead into the half but Calhoun had other plans.
Curtis took his second kickoff of the game 75 yards down the field and was finally brought down at the one yard line.
“Tydus really kept us in the ball game on his two big returns, “said Rigney.”
With 13.5 seconds left on the clock, Austin Bennett drove the ball into the end zone. Blaylock nailed the PAT to tie the game up.
“This is one of the more talented teams I have ever had,” said Rigney. “They are a lot of fun and they are along friends and hang out with each other. It was really fun to hang out with them.”
Calhoun 17, Catersville 14
Cartersville 0 14 0 0 — 14
Calhoun 7 7 0 3 — 17
Cartersville Calhoun
11 First downs 14
29-98 Rushing 29-160
45 Passing 40
5-11-0 Passes 3-6-1
1-43 Punting 2-17.5
1-10 Penalties 4-35
3-1 Fumbles 3-1
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