Calhoun looks to pull off repeat

Buzzing after their December 27-24 overtime triumph over Buford, the Calhoun Yellow Jackets are working to protect their AA State Crown. Repeating the 15-0 feat will be a challenge with AAAA powers like Ridgeland, Dalton and Carrolton scheduled out of the gate by Calhoun coach Hal Lamb. Lamb referenced a new confidence in a team that finally cleared the Buford hurdle in the state title game.

“I don’t see any change for us, our goals are always the same year in and year out, that’s to win the region championship and to win the state championship,” Lamb said. “I feel a different step in our kids, they are much more positive working out. We’ve had less problems this offseason because they’ve had a taste of that state championship and they want another one.”

Lamb also wants to keep his kids grounded. He wants the confidence to carry over into the season, but he doesn’t want them to feel entitled. Lamb believes in hard work being the only way a team can reach its ultimate goals.

Spring practice has passed, but Lamb was pleased with the group he has coming back. Lamb referenced senior quarterback Taylor Lamb and returning shutdown corner Darnell Anthony. Last season, Lamb threw for 3,635 yards, 40 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Lamb and the Calhoun offense will be tested against the beasts that await in their 2012 schedule.

Calhoun will open up its 2012 campaign with a home scrimmage against Ridgeland, a road test against Dalton and a home matchup against Carrollton in consecutive weeks. Lamb feels the front end of the schedule will be one of the toughest tests the Calhoun program has had in years.

“Well, the first three games, will be the toughest three games since I’ve been here, Lamb said. “Ridgeland, they have a lot of Division I players, it’s a good rivalry. Dalton is a rivalry; I didn’t realize how big it was until we started back playing them.”

Lamb has been working with Carrollton for a few years to get a game between the two on the schedule. “We were fortunate enough to do it this year,” said Lamb. “That will be a tremendous test since they are one of the top programs in the state of Georgia.”

Peering into the past, Buford had conquered Calhoun in three straight Class AA finals, ripping three potential trophies out of Calhoun’s case. Adam Griffith drilled a 32-yard field goal in overtime last December to ease Calhoun’s pain and bring Buford to tears as the Wolves’ string of four state titles came to a close.

“It was an unbelievable feeling, because I thought we beat their best team that they’ve had,” Lamb said. “To go to the Dome and beat them in that arena was obviously great for our community and our kids. I don’t think there were many people who gave us a chance, but our kids went in there and did it.”

Lamb admitted the feat was also a big bonus for the community which had been seeking its first state championship since 1952. “To be able to give it to them this past year was an unbelievable feeling.”