Commerce ends Calhoun County’s season

COMMERCE — Calhoun County’s run in the Class A public school state playoffs came to an end Friday night as the Cougars fell to the Commerce Tigers 10-0 at Ray Lamb Stadium.

The Calhoun County defense stood tall, forcing four turnovers. However, the Cougars also turned the ball over four times and weren’t able to generate much on offense.

“It was a hard-fought battle the whole night, just a hard fought battle,” a disappointed Calhoun coach John Williams said.

Commerce got the ball to start the game and moved it down into Calhoun County territory, but the Cougars were able to force a fourth-and-four from their own 39-yard line. However, the Tigers were able to make the line to gain and move the ball inside the 20 of the Cougars.

However, the Cougar defense stepped up again. On fourth-and-five deep in Calhoun County territory, defensive lineman Elester Shedrick made a huge fourth down tackle on Commerce fullback Will Thomas.

Commerce gave the ball back to the Cougars on a fumble. Calhoun County quarterback DaJohn Williams completed a pass to wide receiver Quenten Taylor, but Taylor fumbled and the ball was picked up and ran back to the Cougars 14 by the Tigers’ Cole Chancey.

But the Cougar defense stepped up again. With third-and-inches from the Calhoun 4-yard line, Commerce fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Cougars. The Calhoun County offense could not move the ball and they were pushed back inside the 10.

The Cougars were forced to punt from the 1-yard line due to a false start penalty, giving Commerce excellent field position. The first quarter ended with no score.

Commerce opened the scoring early in the second quarter as the Tigers moved the ball down to the Cougars’ 1. Then quarterback Caleb Brooks scored on a quarterback keeper to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 11:03 to go in the first half.

On their next possession, the Cougars fumbled the ball inside their own territory and the ball was recovered again by Chancey.

However, Commerce committed their third turnover of the night on a a fumble which was recovered by Calhoun. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they were unable to capitalize on offense, but their defense stepped up again and forced the Tigers to punt.

On second-and-three from their own 37, Calhoun County committed their third turnover of the half when fullback Anthony Johnson fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Tigers.

Commerce was able to extend their lead to 10-0 as the half ended on a 40-yard field goal from Andre Salgado. The first half ended with both teams turning the ball over three times. The Cougars ended the first half with 60 yards of total offense and the Tigers with 88.

The Cougars got the ball to start the second half and their drive started promising as the running attack of Sherrod Williams and Johnson moved the ball into Commerce territory.

However, the drive stalled and the Cougars were forced to punt. Calhoun County punter Charles Spahn was able to pin Commerce inside their own 20, but a facemask penalty against the Cougars moved the ball to the Tigers 33.

As they did all night, the Cougars defense stopped the Tigers offense, forcing a punting situation for Commerce. On the Cougars first play of the drive, DaJohn Williams was injured while scrambling and had to be carried off the field.

DaJohn Williams was replaced by wide receiver Sherrod Williams at quarterback, and on third-and-1 from the Cougars’ 35-yard line, Williams was tackled for a five-yard loss.

The Cougars got a ray of hope with a little over six minutes to go in the game as Commerce committed their fourth turnover on a fumble, which was recovered by Manquel Johnson. A couple of plays later, Commerce was flagged for a facemask, but Calhoun County was called for a personal foul.

The turnover bug bit the Cougars for a fourth time as Sherrod Williams fumbled and the Tigers recovered at the Calhoun County 34. Commerce was able to run the clock out, ending the Cougars season at 8-4.

“There’s no way you can beat a team and the referees at the same time,” Calhoun fullback Anthony Johnson said. “You’d have to play two games.”