Last week’s Calhoun-Brooks County matchup in the third round was built up by many around the state as the de facto Class AA state championship game.

Unfortunately, no trophies were handed out after the Jackets dropped the hammer on the Trojans to the tune of a 49-14 victory.

Now, the defending Class AA state champion Jackets welcome Lamar County to Phil Reeve Stadium on Friday night, and they’re just one step away from playing in the actual state championship game at the Georgia Dome for the fifth straight time.

Calhoun coach Hal Lamb said he thinks his team will have no problem refocusing after such a big win against the Trojans.

“We’ve got to move on to the next one,” said Lamb. “Right now it’s survive and advance, and I don’t think our kids will have a tough time focusing on the next goal, which is beating Lamar County. Our kids do a good job of staying pretty even keel.”

The Jackets (13-0) enter the fourth round coming off what Lamb called “the most complete game we’ve played all season.” The Jackets defense held an explosive Brooks County offense to 14 points (seven of which came late in the fourth quarter when the starters had long been pulled) and forced their eighth turnover in the playoffs.

On offense, quarterback Taylor Lamb threw for 365 yards and four TDs while also rushing for two. Alex Urbano had the most exciting play of the night breaking free for a 99-yard TD run in the third quarter.

“After watching the film of the game, I think we were very good in all three phases,” said Hal Lamb. “We were well-prepared and the kids executed the game plan perfectly.”

After the win over Brooks County, the Jackets now prepare for another No. 1 seed in Lamar County, who was the Region 4-AA champion and finished the regular season 12-0-1. (The Trojans tied Spalding, 3-3, in the first game of the season.)

Hal Lamb said his team will once again have their hands full.

“The No. 1 thing is they are well-coached,” said Hal Lamb. “They are scary on both sides of the ball and very fast. They obviously know what they’re doing because they are undefeated and one of the top four teams in AA.”

Since both teams were No. 1 seeds a coin flip on Saturday was used to determine home field. For the second week in a row, the Jackets won the coin flip for the right to host the final game of the year at Phil Reeve Stadium, where the Jackets have gone 17-0 in the playoffs since 2008.

Hal Lamb said winning the coin flip this week was big for several reasons, including for the seniors.

“I thought it was a big flip because we didn’t want to play them there after seeing how good they were,” said Hal Lamb. “We really love playing at The Reeve, and hopefully we will continue to play well here.

“The seniors told me to please win the coin toss because they wanted to play here one more time.”

The game will be the first meeting ever between the two teams. The Trojans have defeated Cook, Benedictine and Lovett in the first three rounds, and Lamb said if his team is going to beat them they will have to win in several areas.

“Somehow, we’ve got to contain their speed,” said Lamb. “They are fast across the board, and they like to run and hit. We have to execute well on offense and have to be on or toes on defense and tackle well.”

Prediction:

The Jackets are back again, one game away from a trip to the Georgia Dome. They are focused and ready for another big game at home under the lights of Phil Reeve Stadium.

After dominating Brooks County last week in a very well-played game by Calhoun, the team is riding high with confidence, believing they are truly the team to beat in AA.

Lamar County has had a great season, but unfortunately, they are running into a wrecking ball in Calhoun.

Score:

Calhoun 42, Lamar County 21