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Calhoun Ready For Opener
Against Gilmer On Friday
by Newton Nichols

Updated on Wednesday*:

The Calhoun High School varsity football team will begin a quest for its third straight Class A playoff appearance and fourth in the last five years when it hosts Gilmer County on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Thanks to CHS sports historian Robert Bonar, we know that the Red Devils are 32-9 against the Titans during the 41 years since Glenville, Normantown, Troy and Sand Fork were consolidated into Gilmer County High School.

That includes wins in the last nine years by an average score of 49.2 to 5.8.

The 32 wins is second only to the 39 that CHS had against Harrisville before it was consolidated with Pennsboro to form Ritchie County High School, the next team on the Red Devil schedule.

Another winning season would match the streak of five from 1981-1985, which is surpassed only by the 25 straight winning records from 1934 to 1958.

2009

History is always interesting, and sometimes fun, but CHS coaches want the team to, using an old cliché, take the season one game at a time, but . . .

It is easy to see that coaches and players are optimistic for a successful season.

With a veteran backfield (All-State Randy Fluharty and brother Darrenger, and quarterback Zach Moore), a veteran line (Jacob Haught, Christian Cottrell, Tim Sutro, Caden Arnold and Ray Phillips) that will average 210+ lbs., ends (Aaron Yoak and Dillon Mefford) who can block down field, and a pair of interchangeable flankers (Preston Milan and Bronson Clark) that will be throwing blocks, the offense seems to be solid.

Throw in some back ups, including Derrick Hardbarger, who, at 234 lbs., can help out in the backfield and on the line, and add Moore as an offensive threat as kicker, and the Red Devils are a potential “scoring machine.”

Darrenger Fluharty is the only sophomore in the offensive line up, which could see 10 seniors starting.

As usual, the defense is more of a question. There are still plenty of veterans, but some are in new positions.

Darrenger, at a corner, is joined by sophomore Cory Metz at linebacker. Both lettered as freshmen.

Starting juniors could include Mefford at linebacker and Clark at free safety.

The other probable starters on Friday night are seniors, and all have lettered, except Justin Gerwig, who will be a new face when he fills in at free safety, and Hardbarger, who will see his first duties for CHS at tackle.

Also at tackle will be Christian Cottrell. Sutro and Yoak join Metz at linebacker. Moore will be at an end and perform the punting duties. Daniel Sims, a corner, joins Randy Fluharty, a strong safety, in the defensive backfield.

Head coach Doyle Hupp has a record of 15-7 in his first two seasons. He wants to add to those wins one game at a time, starting with Gilmer on Friday night.

2009 CALHOUN VARSITY
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

August

28 Gilmer County .. Home

September

4 Ritchie County .. Home

11 Doddridge County Away

18 Park. Catholic .... Home

.............. (Homecoming)

25 Williamstown .... Away

October

2 South Harrison .. Away

9 Open