Football Preview: Calhoun Yellow Jackets vs. Ridgeland Panthers
Calhoun is 4-0 against Ridgeland since August of 2018, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Calhoun Yellow Jackets will venture away from home to take on the Ridgeland Panthers at 7:30 p.m. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Calhoun took a loss when they played away from home back in September, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. They blew past Adairsville 24-0.
Meanwhile, Ridgeland came into Friday's contest having lost 15 straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They secured a 28-23 W over LaFayette on Friday. The Panthers' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.
The critical scores for Ridgeland came from Jayden Lambert, Zion Jackson, Bryson Donald, and Jacob Bell.
Ridgeland was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 260 rushing yards. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 95.3 rushing yards per game earlier this season, but in their last three matches they've averaged 217.3.
Ridgeland's defense was in the mix too, especially the secondary: they snagged two passes before it was all said and done. Jackson picked up that interception and then proceeded to rub salt in the wound by taking it back the other way for a touchdown. Another thorn in LaFayette's side was Braylon Pritchett, who made 15 total tackles (3.0 for loss) and defended a pass.
Calhoun's record is now 2-3. As for Ridgeland, their win ended a seven-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 1-5.
Everything came up roses for Calhoun against Ridgeland in their previous meeting back in September of 2021, as the squad secured a 56-7 victory. In that matchup, Calhoun amassed a halftime lead of 42-0, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
