CALEDONIA — Caledonia’s 2024 season began with a choice. After winning the opening coin toss, the Cavs opted to defer to the second half, giving Nettleton the ball to start the game.
Thanks to a stout defense and a steady, grind-it-out approach on the ground, that’s as close as the Tigers would get, as the Cavaliers rolled to a 33-13 win at home.
Nettleton’s initial series resulted in a quick three-and-out, leading to a punt that placed Caledonia on their own 31-yard line. However, Caledonia fumbled the ball on third down, handing it right back to Nettleton at the same spot. In a dramatic turn of events, Nettleton fumbled on the very next play, with Caledonia recovering at their 41-yard line. Caledonia, unable to capitalize, went three-and-out and punted the ball back to Nettleton, who returned it to the 24-yard line.
Caledonia’s defense held strong, sacking the Nettleton quarterback and forcing another three-and-out. The subsequent punt positioned Caledonia at the 49-yard line. On their next drive, Caledonia’s Cohen Clark broke free for a 30-yard run, followed by an 18-yard sprint that brought them to the 1-yard line. Clark then punched it in for a touchdown, but a holding call backed up the PAT attempt. The now backed-up PAT attempt was missed, leaving the score at 6-0 in favor of Caledonia as the first quarter came to a close.
Nettleton’s struggles continued in the second quarter as they went three-and-out again. Caledonia received the punt at their 26-yard line and, after a 2nd-and-2 situation, Cole Garner rushed to the 36-yard line. Clark then took over, breaking loose for a 36-yard touchdown with a successful PAT. Nettleton, receiving the ensuing kickoff at the 28-yard line, managed a short 2-yard rush before throwing an interception, picked off by Caledonia’s Connor Black at the 37-yard line. Caledonia quickly advanced with a 9-yard rush and a 25-yard run by Clark, who was injured on the play but managed to walk off under his own power. Caledonia continued to push forward with consecutive runs of 12 and 10 yards, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown by Garner with another successful PAT.
Nettleton returned the ball to the 35-yard line and found some success with Donnie Moore breaking off on a 9-yard run to the 44-yard line.
He followed it up with a run down to the 1-yard line but was stopped just short of the goal line. Nettleton finally found the end zone, scoring their first points of the game. They attempted a two-point conversion, but the pass fell incomplete, making the score 20-6.
The Cavs responded swiftly, starting at the 36-yard line. Garner rushed to the 49-yard line and then powered through to the 7-yard line.
Another touchdown run by Caledonia extended their lead, but the PAT attempt sailed wide right. Nettleton answered with a determined drive, marching down the field and scoring a touchdown, with Tyler Patterson crossing the goal line. The PAT was good, narrowing the gap to 26-13.
On the next possession, Caledonia started at their 47-yard line, and Charlie Sullivan delivered a stunning 53-yard touchdown run. The PAT was successful, pushing Caledonia’s lead to 33-13. Nettleton’s subsequent drive began with an offsides penalty, and they failed to gain enough yards for a first down, resulting in a turnover on downs.
With the clock winding down, Caledonia aimed to run out the remaining time but ultimately committed a turnover on downs, giving Nettleton one last possession with just over a minute left. Nettleton ran out the clock, and the game concluded with a Caledonia victory.
Caledonia head coach Micheal Kelly was pleased with the outcome, but recognized his Cavs still have work to do.
“We need to polish the things that need to be polished, get healthy, and try and win another one next week,” he said.
Caledonia gears up to face Itawamba Agricultural School in Fulton next week.
Caledonia 33, Nettleton 13
Caledonia (1-0) 6 14 13 0 — 33
Nettleton (0-1) 0 6 7 0 — 13
First quarter
Caledonia: Cohen Clark run (PAT missed)
Second quarter
Caledonia: Cole Garner run (PAT)
Caledonia: Brooks 7 run (Lopez kick), clock 2:42
Nettleton: Donnie Moore run (2pt failed)
Third quarter
Caledonia: Garner run (PAT missed)
Nettleton:Tyler Patterson 6 run (PAT)
Caledonia: Charlie Sullivan (PAT)
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