By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

Callaway’s second Region 5-AA game of 2009 went a lot like the first.

The Cavaliers, who manhandled Manchester 37-6 last week, hosted Spencer to a 38-7 blowout Thursday night at Callaway Stadium.

The Callaway offense hummed on all cylinders, while the defense held the opposition to single digits for the second straight week.

Callaway (2-2 overall, 2-0 Region 5-AA) rolled up 306 total yards and held Spencer (0-4) to just 113.

It was exactly what head coach Pete Wiggins and company wanted to see with next week’s showdown with Macon County looming.

“We had a good night offensively and defensively,” Wiggins said. “There are some things we still have to work on but I feel like we got better tonight.”

The Cavaliers’ big-play offense gave spectators their money’s worth early and often.

On Callaway’s first possession, junior running back Marquis Terrell had runs of 30 and 39 yards, with the latter being the team’s first touchdown.

Terrell added another 6-yard score later in the first quarter after a 50-yard punt return from senior Quantavius Leslie.

Terrell finished with 88 yards on six carries with two touchdowns.

“He’s doing a great job,” said junior quarterback Quan Bray. “He’s been playing well.”

Senior linebacker Randy Bailey, who was named to the All-Class AA team in 2008, picked up the starting fullback nod on offense and scored his first touchdown of the year to put Callaway head 20-0 in the second.

Bailey said the defense, which had to replace several key starters from last year’s region championship team, is coming along.

“I think we’re getting a lot better,” Bailey said. “We’ve only allowed 13 points the last two games, and we’re working harder.”

Desmond ‘Debo’ Davis led the team in tackles with seven, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and Jamal Bruce was second with four tackles.

After Spencer fumbled on its own 24-yard line late in the second, Bray threw a beautiful touch pass to tight end Ricky Parks for the Cavaliers’ fourth touchdown of the night.

Kicker Josh Ham was perfect on his PATs in the game, and he also nailed a 42-yard field goal as the second quarter expired to give Callaway a 31-0 halftime lead.

Ham’s field goal was made possible by a 16-yard pass from Bray to Terrell.

It was Bray’s second and final pass completion for the night. He finished 2-of-7 for 39 yards.

Bray, who moved from running back to quarterback this season, said he is starting to feel more comfortable as the starting signal-caller.

“I’m getting better, but the whole offense is getting better too,” Bray said. “Our offensive line is what does it. They make everything possible.”

Added Bailey: “Our line is really the key on offense. They deserve the credit.”

On the first play of the second half, senior D.J. Rutledge took a pitch from Bray and darted 67 yards for a touchdown to conclude the Cavaliers’ scoring.

Rutledge, who is primarily the team’s starting free safety, missed the first two games due to injury, but had 85 yards on four carries in the second half.

Offensive coordinator Matt Napier said the attack is hitting its stride after a pair of shaky outings against Troup and Lovett to start the season.

“Those first two games we had turnover problems,” Napier said. “We’re holding on to the football and taking care of it now.”

Most of Callaway’s scoring didn’t involve time-churning drives. The Cavaliers scored touchdowns on the first play of two possessions.

“We’re fortunate to have some athletes who can change the game quickly,” Napier said.