Calhoun City opened defense of their 2A state championship Friday night with a 45-0 road victory at Coffeeville.
The Wildcats wasted no time getting on the board to start the season. The home Pirates fumbled the opening kickoff and D.K. Wortham recovered at the 10-yard line. Three plays later, Anfernee Campbell scored on a 1-yard run and kicked the extra point, too, for a 7-0 lead.
The Pirates' ensuing possession ended with Treshon Cooper intercepting a pass and returning it 35 yards for a touchdown. The extra point missed for a 13-0 first quarter lead.
Jo Gray intercepted a Pirate pass on their next possession, but 'City's drive stalled at the Pirate 6-yard line. Chardarrius Hill intercepted another Coffeeville pass early in the second quarter. That set up a 65-yard touchdown drive capped by a Gray touchdown run from seven yards out. Cooper converted for 2-points for a 22-0 lead.
Jordan Guy recovered a Coffeeville fumble to set up the Wildcats' next score – a 14-yard run by Campbell. Gray punched in the 2-point conversion for a 29-0 lead at the break. The Pirates finished the first half with only one first down and it came on a penalty.
'City opened the second half with a 70-yard touchdown drive, scoring on Keshun Parker's 2-yard touchdown run. Hill scored for two and a 37-0 lead.
The clock was run continuously the second half. The Wildcats' final score came on a 28-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Jaquayons Artberry scored on the conversion for the 45-0 final score.
"We did alright for the first game of the season," Campbell said. "We need to get in better shape and keep improving."