AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2005 > November > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCalhoun writes own fairy tale
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As it turned out, the journey to the Georgia Dome — which galvanized neighboring communities and a vast alumni base — ended up being more fulfilling for Grady than actually being there Friday.
The semifinal berth and first Atlanta Public School appearance in the Falcons’ home stadium brought together all the elements that make sports so special: school pride, reconnection of old friends, recognition of talented athletes.
Getting to the Dome was almost like a four-month parade, building in prominence, size and significance each week. The Grey Knights, with an opportunity for history, handled Macon County, and a celebration ensued in Midtown and beyond that will be recalled for lifetimes.
Unfortunately for Grady supporters, the memory will include the actual game at the Dome. They’ll have to remember shaking their heads as Calhoun put a definitive end to the hoopla.
Using misdirection plays that puzzled the Grady defense and forcing four turnovers at pivotal moments, the Yellow Jackets made it happen in a big way. Their 42-20 domination put them in the AA championship game next weekend — a spot they truly earned.
In fact, Calhoun — located 70 miles northwest of Atlanta — quietly has been working on a piece of history itself. Check it: The Yellow Jackets have not won a championship since 1952. That’s one year before Grady last captured a title.
So, as much hype as there was surrounding Grady’s 13-0 run to the Dome, it was equaled in Calhoun. And the Yellow Jackets get to play on and add something even more significant to their story.
“They have a great program, and we shouldn’t be ashamed,” Grady coach Ronnie Millen said.
Indeed, Millen’s post-game discussion with his team centered on the depth of their run — not one defeat Friday.
“I don’t want them to hang their heads,” Millen said. “We’re proud of this season. We didn’t play our best against a very good program, and we got beat. But it doesn’t take away from this season.”
Actually, Friday served as a new benchmark for the Grady program. No longer are five-win seasons considered OK. “We’ve got to go back to work,” Millen said. “Our goals are to shoot for the Dome and championships. That’s where we are now.”
The afternoon Friday started for Grady the way its season had been: wonderfully. Darryl Farley blocked a punt, setting up Dexter Barnett’s 7-yard touchdown run. The Grey Knights led 7-0, and the big Grady crowd at the Dome was ecstatic.
But there would not be many more gleeful moments. By halftime, Calhoun had racked up 211 yards rushing, most of the damage done by 10th-grade running back Adam Urbano.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder blasted through gaping holes in the line of scrimmage as if flung by a giant slingshot. Urbano tallied 185 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a superlative performance.
There are a few elements that make Urbano outstanding. One, he’s fast — you cannot put a value on breakaway speed; two, he’s tough — the little guy is just as effective running between the tackles as he is on sweeps; and three, he’s a smart player — he follows his blocking masterfully.
He and Calhoun play on, seeking to pen new history for their program. Grady goes home defeated and disappointed, and yet it accomplished far more than losing at the Dome could erase.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Curtis Bunn
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By Hershel Adams
November 25, 2005 09:31 PM | Link to this
Congrats to a great school and an outstanding athletic program. Got to get the next game. Goooo Jackets!!!!! See you there!!
By Terry Bennett
November 25, 2005 10:58 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to a fine group of Jackets: players, coaches, band members, cheerleaders, faculty, parents and alumni. This is my first year on the CHS faculty and I can tell you that the energy in this small burg is unreal. I met two alumni from the decade of the fifties this week and they wear their lettermen’s jackets and sweaters with intense pride. One of them was the placekicker for the 1952 championship team who played with a broken arm. When you walk into the Dome and the parents of your players and band members hug you, and thank you for coming…you remember for the umpteenth time why you teach. When grandparents fight back the tears telling you how much they miss their high school days and now can relive their “JACKET DAYS” in these grandkids and greatgrandkids, you begin to understand the legacy of academia and sport. Thanks to all of the Calhounians…Jacket Backers, coaches wives (widows), coaching children, and anyone else I left out. Lastly, I have to send a special congratulations to Urbano, I teach the young tyke and one of my former student athletes was sitting beside me in the Dome. Adam truly impressed this new CHS fan but I was most proud of Adam when he hugged one of our team volunteers and “hammed it up” for the GPTV cameras while hugging this young man. With all of his talents and prospects, Adam has a tremendous heart and I thank his parents for allowing me to teach and tutor this gentle giant. On to the finals……JACKET POWER!!!!!!!!
By joejoe
November 26, 2005 08:31 AM | Link to this
Man what an awesome win at the dome! I think we should thank players like cam clark, casey and corey baxter, higgy, adam patrick, streeter duncan and the countless others who started this roll! but we should also realize we have the best coaches in the state! coach lamb is a class act who leads by example! thank you jackets and lets get some indians!!!!
By Shara Williams
November 26, 2005 02:36 PM | Link to this
As a junior at Grady High School, I feel that losing at the Dome wasn’t an upset at all. The football team has practiced hard all season long and they shouldn’t have any regrets. We’ve accomplished more in one season than we could’ve in the past 52 years. We’ve made history by being the first school in the Atlanta Public Schools district to make in to the Dome. Its was about time that our school recieved recoginition like other schools in the Metro Atlanta area. I am proud to be a part of the Grey Knight legacy and I couldn’t see myself attending any other school.