Calhoun Looking For Return Trip to State Title Game

Calhoun, GA-(WDEF-TV) Calhoun made it to the state finals last year, but they failed to capture the 5-A title.
As News 12’s Brian Armstrong reports, the Yellow Jackets are ready to complete the mission this season.

“Oh it hurt. I mean of course with the state championship loss it hurt bad,” said lineman Brody Balliew.

Calhoun came up just short of winning a state title last year.

“It gives me fuel. It gives me an extra push because that’s what I want this year,” said Balliew.

But it’s something head coach Clay Stephenson is trying to put in the past.

“You kind of just put it behind you. Obviously was a great year, great run. Very fun. Fun season. But that’s behind us and we move onto this year and what we’re trying to do this, since the game is separate ourselves from that team last year. We’re completely different team lost a lot of seniors,” said Stephenson.

It is a different team with players like twins Christian and Christopher Lewis as well Cole Speer having graduated.

“You don’t replace them, you just try to find something to move on. It was a great group. This year I’m so excited because these guys out there on the field as a special group. I can already tell there’s something a little different about them,” said Stephenson.

“I think that our seniors this year is one, we’re all together as one,” said Balliew.

“To get to the mountain you gotta start at the bottom. Having a great run, do you want to snap your fingers and get back to the games but that doesn’t happen without work during the year, when school starts and in the weight room, classroom,” said Stephenson.

Since Christian has graduated there is now an open spot of QB.

“Trey, he’ll be ready, Trey Townsend has gotten a lot of reps the summer unfortunately right behind and we got, Andrew Purdy, who has got some quality wrapped as well. So I’m looking forward to both of them getting my reps and seeing how well they progress throughout the season,” said Stephenson.

Balliew says the coaches have put the players in a place to success and tough days during the off

season are worth it during the year.

“These coaches they know what they’re doing. All the props to them they make this program what (it is.)They make it tough on you but it pays off during week 15, State championship it pays off,” said Balliew.