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Calhoun Defeats Braxton;
Moves To 15th In Class A
by Newton Nichols

Updated on Wednesday*:

The Calhoun High School varsity football team did what it had to do to keep its hopes of a playoff berth alive.

The Red Devils defeated Braxton last Friday night, 21-7, and picked up 13 ratings points. The team moved from 21st to a tie for 15th in WVSSAC’s Class A rankings.

The top 16 teams qualify for next week’s Class A playoffs.

Getting in position to qualify is one thing. Staying in the top 16 is another.

If Calhoun defeats St. Marys in Friday night’s home game, the team will earn eight ratings points (6 base and 2 bonus for St. Marys’ wins) for a total of 62, or 6.20 rating.

Of the five teams the Red Devils have defeated, four are underdogs and the fifth, Braxton, has completed its season. That means that any more bonus points are unlikely.

Even if they lose this week, Moorefield and Parkersburg Catholic, tied for 12th at 7.00, will have 63 bonus points, plus any points picked up from wins by defeated opponents.

Team No. 14 at 6.33, Valley Fayette, plays Williamson (4-5). A win by Valley would earn 10 points for a total of 67. A loss could mean elimination.

The other team in 15th, Matewan, most likely will be eliminated by No. 3, Man High School.

Bishop Donahue, tied for No. 17, will be favored over its opponent, Doddridge. A win would give Donahue 62 points (plus any points from defeated opponents).

Rank Team W L Pts. Rat.

12 Moorefield 6 3 63 7.00

12 Park. Catholic 7 2 63 7.00

14 Valley Fayette 6 3 57 6.33

15 Calhoun 5 4 54 6.00

15 Matewan 5 3 48 6.00

17 Bishop Donahue 6 3 53 5.89

17 Pendleton 6 3 53 5.89

19 Gilbert 5 3 47 5.88

20 So. Harrison 6 3 52 5.78

Also in 17th, Pendleton plays Bath County, Va. (6-3). A win and Pendleton is probably in the playoffs. A loss means elimination.

No. 19 Gilbert plays Class AA Tug Valley (0-9). Playing only nine games this season could help Gilbert, because nine points for a win (over a AA team) would leave Gilbert with 56 points and a 6.22 rating (56 divided by 9).

South Harrison, No. 20, plays No. 8 Wirt, which could eliminate the Hawks.

What does all this mean?

Calhoun must defeat St. Marys and hope that a Doddridge upset of Bishop Donahue (to earn an extra ratings point) will be enough to keep the Red Devils in the top 16.

Calhoun 21 Braxton 7

CHS’ victory against the Eagles guaranteed the team its sixth straight non-losing season.

The Red Devils opened the scoring early in the second quarter, when Zach Moore’s seven-yard touchdown run was set up by his 20-yard pass to Randy Fluharty and six carries for 39 yards by the senior running back.

Following Ben Laughlin’s fumble recovery at the 50, Calhoun increased its lead to 14-0 with Moore’s 12-yard run and Fluharty’s two-point conversion with 35 seconds left in the half.

Braxton’s only threat in the opening two quarters came on its first possession. The Eagles drove to a first down at the CHS 15, but on the next play, Dillon Mefford’s fumble recovery at the 30 ended BCHS’ hope for an early score.

Braxton opened the second half with a successful 65-yard drive. The extra point cut the deficit to 14-7.

After the Red Devils’ only turnover, a fumble at their own 36, the Eagles gave the ball back after losing 12 yards on fourth down.

Calhoun ran 6:40 off the clock with a 13-play, 55-yard drive. Fluharty carried in from the 10 and Moore kicked the extra point for a 21-7 lead.

On its next series, Braxton drove to a first down at the CHS 8, but the defense held and took over at its seven with 5:10 left in the game.

Neither team threatened again as Calhoun improved to 5-4 with the win.

Randy Fluharty led the offense with 127 yards on 23 carries. He became the team’s seventh 1,000-yard rusher in eight years. He now has 1,064 yards on 153 carries.

Leading the team in tackles were Cory Metz (9), Randy Fluharty (7) and Tim Sutro (7).

Calhoun hosts St. Marys on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the annual Senior Recognition Night.

Calhoun 0 14 0 7--21

Braxton 0 0 7 0-- 7

C--Zach Moore, 7 run

(kick failed), 10:06

C--Moore, 12 run

(Randy Fluharty run), :35

B--Jordan Lacy, 1 run

(Kenton Morland kick), 7:37

C--Fluharty, 10 run

(Moore kick), 10:50

TEAM STATISTICS

Calhoun Braxton

15 First Downs 13

49-248 Rushes-Yardage 31-119

23 Passing Yardage 83

2-9-0 PC-PA-Int. 8-22-0

0 Return Yardage 9

2-35.5 Punts-Avg. 1-41.0

2-1 Fumbles-Lost 5-2

7-62 Penalties-Yards 4-26

OFFENSE

Calhoun rushing -- Randy Fluharty 23-127, Darrenger Fluharty 12-81, Zach Moore 12-29, Cory Metz 2-11. Total 49-248.

Calhoun passing -- Zach Moore 2-9-0, 23 yds.

Calhoun receiving -- Randy Fluharty 1-20, Aaron Yoak 1-3.

DEFENSE

Calhoun tackles (solos-assists-total) -- Cory Metz 4-5-9, Randy Fluharty 7-0-7, Tim Sutro 4-3-7, Dillon Mefford 4-2-6, Justin Gerwig 4-2-6, Christian Cottrell 3-3-6, Aaron Yoak 2-4-6, Ben Laughlin 2-4-6, Derrick Hardbarger 3-2-5, Darrenger Fluharty 2-3-5, Austin Moore 3-0-3, Bronson Clark 3-0-3, Zach Moore 1-1-2, Daniel Sims 1-0-1. Total 43-29-72.

Interceptions -- None.

Fumble recoveries -- Dillon Mefford, Ben Laughlin.

Sacks -- Dillon Mefford, Zach Moore, Ben Laughlin, Darrenger Fluharty.

2009 CALHOUN VARSITY

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Calhoun 57 Gilmer 20 .. W

Calhoun 35 Ritchie 8 ... W

Calhoun 29 Doddridge 6 W

Calhoun 29 Catholic 39 . L

Calhoun 22 Will’town 65 L

Calhoun 39 So. Harrison 32 W

Calhoun 15 Roane 26 .... L