Waco vs. Calhoun should be a classic

When you analyze the state championship games that will be played this week, you will be hard-pressed to find one better than the Class AAA matchup between No. 1 Washington County and No. 2 Calhoun. None of the other games can match it when it comes to tradition, on-field accomplishments, talent and community involvement. Plus, both teams are undefeated, a feature that none of the other games can boast.

And, perhaps more than in any other classifications, the two teams are similar to each other. They aren’t quite the mirror image, but there are many similarities that cannot be ignored.

Both have outstanding quarterbacks: Washington County has A.J. Gray (6-1, 200), a Georgia Tech commitment who is considered the top prospect in the state. Gray has rushed for 2,236 yards and and thrown for 1,668 yards and 21 touchdowns. He rushed for 442 yards and eight touchdowns against Pierce County in the third round.

“It’s scary when the ball is in his hands,” Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said.

Calhoun counters with Kaelen Riley, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior starting for the first season. Riley has thrown for 23 touchdowns this season and also runs for 701 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was 18-for-23 with three touchdowns in last week’s semifinal win over Westminster.

“He’s very similar in his development to A.J.” Washington County coach Joel Ingram said. “You can tell he’s starting to come into his own.” Ingram will have a chance to actually work with Riley when he coaches the Rising Stars Junior All-Star Game.

Both have dynamic offenses: While the focus is on the quarterbacks, each team has plenty of additional help while producing a bushel of points. Washington County set a state record for points scored, a total of 717 or 51.2 points per game. Calhoun has scored 586 points or 41.8 per game. Washington County has a running threat in Ethan Ray and Calhoun has relied on backs Cole Jackson and Thomas Lester.

Both feature an underrated defense: The numbers may not look as gaudy because of the dominance of their respective offenses, but these teams are loaded on defense, too. Many of the points allowed came against backups or junior varsity players who got to play because the games were so lopsided.

Calhoun allows 9.3 points per game, with two shutouts and has allowed no more than 18 points in a single game. The Yellow Jackets have allowed 14.2 points in the playoffs.

“The defense has played well all year,” Lamb said. “That’s something we’ve always hung our hats on.”

The heart of the defense is the front six. Lamb said the three defensive linemen and three linebackers are “playing solid, good football, reading their keys and making plays.” Linebacker Austin Bennett (152 tackles) and Jireh Wilson (148 tackles) have played at a high level.

The Washington County defense has allowed 12.9 points this season, with one shutout. The Golden Hawks have allowed 21.7 points per game in the playoffs, 35 against Pierce County in a ping-pong type quarterfinal game. Linebacker Will Coneway has been outstanding with 162 tackles and nine sacks, as well as 29 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles.