By Roger Propst
Calhoun's Middle School Red Devils exploded for 22 unanswered points in a four minute time span late in the 3rd quarter and early in the 4th at Flatwoods to defeat Braxton Middle, remain unbeaten at 5-0, and avenge a loss in last year's conference championship game to the Knights.
The faint of heart might have been concerned as the Knights built a 22-12 lead halfway through the 3rd quarter, but the Red Devils were not to be denied.
Calhoun opened the game by going three and out on its first possession. After forcing the Red Devil punt, Braxton began its drive at its own 33 yard line, and marched steadily downfield on the ground going in for the game's first score at the 2:25 mark of the 1st quarter. The two point conversion was good, and the Red Devils trailed 8-0.
Ben Laughlin took the ensuing kickoff back to the Calhoun 43 yard line. Runs by Brandon Reed and Zach Moore moved the ball to the Knight 31.
Two plays later, Moore hit Aaron Yoak on a 15 yard scoring strike at the 7:52 mark of the 2nd quarter. The attempt for a two point conversion failed and the score stood, 8-6 in Braxton's favor.
After the Red Devil kickoff, the Knights began their possession at their own 25 yard line. On the third play, disaster struck for the Knights when Zach Moore stepped in front of the Braxton receiver, intercepted the pass, and ran it back to the eight yard line.
Braxton stiffened on defense, but Moore took the ball into the end zone on 4th and goal from the one and a 12-8 lead at the 4:40 mark of the 2nd quarter.
Calhoun held the Knights after the kickoff forcing a punt with the Red Devils taking the ball at their 26 yard line with one minute remaining in the 1st half. On the 2nd play, Zach Moore hit Aaron Yoak on a pass for 26 yards into Knight territory, but Yoak lost the handle on the ball as he fought for additional yardage, and a Braxton defender scooped up the ball and ran it back to the Red Devil 27 yard line.
The Knights battled the Red Devils and the clock, but hit pay dirt on the final play of the half on a 27 yard touchdown pass on 4th down. A successful two point conversion made the halftime score, Braxton 16, Calhoun 12.
The Red Devils threw an interception on its 1st possession of the 2nd half with Braxton running the ball down to the Calhoun one yard line before taking it in for the score at the 4: 25 mark of the 3rd quarter. The conversion was no good, and the score stood at 22-12 Braxton leading. It would be the last score of the night for the Knights.
The Red Devils got the ball at their 36 yard line after the kickoff and took only 20 seconds after the Braxton score to light up the scoreboard.
Calhoun quarterback Zach Moore kept the ball on an option, and after breaking three tackles at the 50 yard line and getting some good blocks, turned on the burners and out ran the defenders down the left sideline for a 64 yard touchdown. The two point conversion was good on a pass from Moore to Yoak, and the Red Devils were down by only two, 22-20.
The shell-shocked Knights fumbled the ball away on their 2nd offensive play with Aaron Yoak wrestling it away from a Braxton player at the Knight 39 yard line.
Zach Moore gained 15 yards on 1st down to the 24, but a penalty and the Knight defense put the Red Devils in a 4th down situation at the 23 yard line. Moore then hit Aaron Yoak for a 23 yard touchdown with 17 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The two point conversion was good on a pass, Moore to Haught, and the Red Devils had regained the lead, 28-22.
It would only take 25 seconds for the Red Devils to score again. The Knights fumbled the ball again on its first play after the Calhoun kickoff, and Jacob Haught fell on it for the Red Devils at the Knight's 24 yard line. On the second play of the drive, Moore hit Haught on a 26 yard touchdown pass at the 7:52 mark of the 4th quarter.
The conversion failed and Calhoun led 34-22. Neither team would score again, and the Red Devils left with a hard fought come from behind victory.
Calhoun is at Richwood Middle next week for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.
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