By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
Calvary’s defense had stonewalled Huntington for nearly the entire night Friday, and the Cavs’ unit was needed one more time with two seconds left.
From their own 19-yard line, Huntington completed a pass and started the lateral game, but the Cavaliers forced a fumble and recovered to seal the 21-14 non-district win at Independence Stadium.
The Class 2A Cavaliers (6-2) slammed the door on Class 5A Huntington (4-4) twice in the red zone as a vaunted and deep Calvary defensive front battled the Raiders’ huge offensive line.
“We’re pretty good up front, and we rotate seven and eight guys in there,” said Calvary coach Rodney Guin. “We played hard tonight on the road against a very good team.”
After three touchdowns against Union Parish the week before, running back Julius Moss shared snaps with James Simon IV after Simon missed the previous week with an injury.
A 2-yard Moss touchdown started the scoring late in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
Huntington drove into the red zone on the ensuing possession, but Calvary’s defense turned the Raiders away on fourth down.
“Not being able to finish drives was the story of the game to me,” said Huntington coach Stephen Dennis. “I am proud of my entire team and staff, but particularly the defense and the way we played.
“It’s a lot more fun to learn while winning games, but we’ve been learning a lot of lessons during our last three games that will benefit us come playoff time.”
Huntington did answer Calvary’s score when Nyles Hullaby plunged in from two yards, cutting the Calvary lead to 7-6 early in the second quarter.
Simon IV found the end zone late in the second quarter on an 11-yard run to put the Cavs ahead 14-6.
Hullaby scored again right before the half, and Huntington’s two-point conversion tied the game at 14-14.
The Calvary defense started the second half by intercepting Huntington quarterback Landon Gibbs.
Calvary quarterback Abram Wardell connected with Kolby Thomas on a third-quarter touchdown pass that turned out to be the game-winner.
The Cavs’ defense made another red zone stop in the fourth quarter and then blocked a punt that limited Huntington’s chances.
Calvary was particularly beset by penalties totaling well over 100 yards that stymied some of their own drives.
But Calvary – ranked second in the LSWA’s Class 2A poll — tacked on its fourth straight win and third over a 5A foe in the past two seasons.
Huntington dropped its third straight contest against the likes of Byrd, Parkway and now Calvary.
Contact Matt at sports@journalservicesllc.com