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It's No. 3 Vs. No. 6
by Newton Nichols

Updated on Wednesday*:

According to West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission’s first rankings of the season, Calhoun (3-0) is tied with Pendleton and Wheeling Central for third place in Class A with a 7.33 rating.

The Red Devils’ opponent on Friday night in the annual homecoming game, Parkersburg Catholic (2-0), is tied with Weirton Madonna for sixth with a 7.00 rating.

The two top spots are held by Man (10.67) and Richwood (9.33), both 3-0.

The Red Devils and the Crusaders began playing in 1978, and Catholic leads the series with a record of 11-6.

Before resuming the rivalry two years ago, Calhoun was 0-8 from 1994-2001. CHS won at home in 2007, 19-6, before suffering a 14-0 loss at Stadium Field last year.

One of the biggest concerns for CHS will be to eliminate fumbles. The team has lost the ball nine times in three games, after fumbling it away only 13 times in 11 games last year.

Calhoun “lost the handle” six times last Friday at West Union, and Doddridge came up with four of those fumbles.

CHS lit up the scoreboard first last Friday, when Zach Moore recovered a Doddridge fumble on the second play of the game at the host’s 10 yard line.

Randy Fluharty scored his ninth touchdown of the season on Calhoun’s first play and Moore kicked the point-after.

Neither team moved the ball very far until the last series of the opening quarter.

Darrenger Fluharty’s 23-yard interception return to the Bulldog 36 and Moore’s completion to Aaron Yoak helped set up a 1st-and-goal at the seven.

After three plays netted a loss of six yards, Moore kicked a 30-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead on the first play of the second period.

Doddridge struck quickly, using three pass completions, with the last a 15-yard scoring toss, to cut the deficit to 10-6.

Calhoun’s next two series ended in fumbles, while the Bulldogs drove to the CHS two and four in successive series. The CHS defense held both times, as Doddridge turned the ball over on downs--first at the five and then at the 17 as the first half ended.

After suffering its fourth turnover on the opening series, Calhoun scored all three times it had possession in the second half.

After Doddridge put together a drive to the Red Devil eight, Justin Gerwig intercepted a pass at the three.

With big pick ups by the Fluharty brothers (Randy, 25 yards, and Darrenger, 56 yards), Darrenger carried the last five for his first touchdown.

The next score was also set up by an interception, this time by Bronson Clark at the CHS 45.

Highlights of the six-play drive were Yoak’s 14-yard pass reception and Moore’s 16-yard keeper, which set up a one-yard plunge by the quarterback.

Leading 23-6, two QB sacks by Tim Sutro forced the Bulldogs to punt.

Taking over at its own 30, Calhoun’s Daniel Sims set up the final score of the game by scooting 68 yards to the two.

On fourth and one, Darrenger Fluharty tallied his second touchdown to make the final score, 29-6.

Randy Fluharty (140) and Darrenger Fluharty (102) led CHS in rushing.

Leading the team in tackles were Tim Sutro (13) and Dillon Mefford (12). Darrenger, Clark and Gerwig had interceptions and Moore and Mefford had fumble recoveries. In addition to Sutro (two), Mefford and Christian Cottrell had quarterback sacks.

Calhoun hosts Parkersburg Catholic on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Calhoun 7 3 7 12--29

Doddridge 0 6 0 0-- 6

C--Randy Fluharty, 10 run

(Zach Moore kick), 10:59

C--Moore, 30 field goal, 11:56

D--Zachary Holden, 15 run

(kick failed), 9:51

C--Darrenger Fluharty, 5 run

(Moore kick), :56

C--Moore, 1 run

(kick blocked), 8:14

C--D. Fluharty, 1 run

(kick failed), 2:42

TEAM STATISTICS

Calhoun Doddridge

15 First Downs 14

43-325 Rushes-Yardage 32-78

32 Passing Yardage 88

2-4-0 PC-PA-Int. 6-22-3

29 Return Yardage 10

1-36.0 Punts-Avg. 2-26.5

6-4 Fumbles-Lost 2-2

11-102 Penalties-Yards 8-60

OFFENSE

Calhoun rushing -- Randy Fluharty 16-140, Darrenger Fluharty 13-102, Zach Moore 9-10, Daniel Sims 5-73. Total 43-325.

Calhoun passing -- Zach Moore 2-4-0, 32 yds.

Calhoun receiving -- Aaron Yoak 2-32.

DEFENSE

Calhoun tackles (solos-assists-total) -- Tim Sutro 9-4-13, Dillon Mefford 6-6-12, Derrick Hardbarger 5-3-8, Aaron Yoak 4-3-7, Darrenger Fluharty 3-3-6, Christian Cottrell 4-2-6, Zach Moore 1-5-6, Austin Moore 2-2-4, Ben Laughlin 2-2-4, Bronson Clark 2-2-4, Daniel Sims 2-1-3, Randy Fluharty 1-1-2, Jacob Haught 0-2-2, Justin Yeager 1-0-1, Nathan Cosgrove 1-0-1, Jacob Jett 1-0-1, Jared Haught 0-1-1, Justin Gerwig 0-1-1. Total 44-38-82.

Interceptions -- Darrenger Fluharty 1-23, Bronson Clark 1-6, Justin Gerwig.

Fumble recoveries -- Zach Moore, Dillon Mefford.

Sacks -- Tim Sutro 2, Dillon Mefford, Christian Cottrell.

2009 CALHOUN VARSITY
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Calhoun 57 Gilmer 20 .. W

Calhoun 35 Ritchie 8 ... W

Calhoun 29 Doddridge 6 W

September

18 Park. Catholic .... Home

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

25 Williamstown .... Away

October