DUBLIN, Ga. (WRCB) -- Those who questioned whether or not Calhoun could win in the postseason away from home got their answer Friday night.
The Yellow Jackets scored on four of their five first-half possessions and unleashed a punishing defense en route to a 45-7 drubbing of host Dublin in the Class AA quarterfinals at the Shamrock Bowl.
Calhoun will host Appling County in a state semifinal next Friday night in the friendly confines of Phil Reeves Stadium. Appling County outlasted Lamar County for a 35-33 win in four overtimes in another quarterfinal matchup.
Quarterback Taylor Lamb sparked the Jackets' offense after a punt on their opening drive. The junior rushed for two scores and threw for two more, finishing the night with 273 yards of total offense.
Alex Urbano also scored twice and led the Jackets with 83 yards on the ground, while Ben Lamb and Alex Kirby caught touchdown passes.
A great play-fake set Lamb free for a 23-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead on the Jackets' second drive.
From their they piled on. Lamb connected with his cousin, Ben, on a 53-yard touchdown late in the first quarter before another great play-fake opened Kirby for an eight-yard score early in the second. Lamb's seven-yard scamper just before the half gave Calhoun a 28-0 lead at the break.
Hunter Knight and the Jackets' defense made sure there wasn't a repeat of Dublin's 2004 playoff rally. The Fighting Irish racked up more than 800 yards of offense in their first two playoff wins, but mustered just seven yards rushing through the first three quarters.
Knight led the charge, finishing with four sacks and another tackle for a loss.
