CALHOUN, Ga. (WRCB) -- It took just two plays for Calhoun's defense to set the tone for the night in its Class AA state semifinal with Appling County.
Grant Fuller forced, recovered and returned a fumble 16-yards for a touchdown on Appling County's second play from scrimmage, sparking a Yellow Jacket defense that forced six turnovers in a 51-14 rout of the visiting Pirates at Phil Reeve Stadium.
With the win, Calhoun punches its fourth straight ticket to the Georgia Dome to play for a state championship next Friday. The Jackets will once again face Buford, a 28-13 winner over Carver-Columbus in the other semifinal. The Wolves have beaten Calhoun for the title in each of the last three seasons.
The Jackets forced three turnovers in each half, with all of the first-half takeaways leading to points as Calhoun (14-0) built a 37-7 lead at the break.
Taylor Lamb made sure the offense held its own, as well. The junior quarterback threw for 362 yards (338 in the first half) and four touchdowns. Darius Washington and Tydus Curtis both scored on the ground.
Byron Buxton picked off a Lamb pass and returned it for a score to briefly pull Appling County even at 7-7 in the first quarter, but the Jackets were yet to get warmed up.
Lamb hit Chase Rierson for a 47-yard touchdown, then found Clay Johnson for a 57-yard strike and a 20-7 lead moments later. The last of Lamb's three first-half touchdowns went to his cousin, Ben Lamb, on a 37-yard connection just before the break.
Rierson finished with 126 yards on six catches, while Johnson and Lamb combined on eight grabs for 166 yards.
