By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

Another year, another 2,000-yard rusher.

In 2015, Cedric Maynard ran for more than 2,000 yards in helping lead Callaway to a region championship and a 10-2 record.

In 2016, it was DJ Atkins surpassing the 2,000-yard milestone as Callaway went 13-1 and made it to the state semifinals before losing to Benedictine.

This year, it’s Cartavious “Tank” Bigsby’s turn.

Bigsby, a junior running back, has 2,086 yards on 215 carries with 21 touchdowns in 13 games, and he’s averaging 9.7 yards per attempt.

Senior Qua Hines has also been a big-play threat in the running game, and he and Bigsby have combined for 1,019 yards and 11 touchdowns in three playoff games.

“It’s a great one-two punch,” said Matt Napier, Callaway’s offensive coordinator. “Those two guys right now are at the peak, and they’re healthy. You start talking about that dynamic, and what they’ve been able to do up front, it’s been special. They got hot right here when the playoffs started, and it’s been good.”

Bigsby ran for 314 yards on 27 attempts with three touchdowns in the playoff opener against Elbert County.

In the 31-13 victory over Hapeville Charter in round two, Bigsby exploded for 238 yards on 26 attempts with four touchdowns, and he had 91 yards on 20 attempts in last week’s 35-20 win over Washington County.

Hines hasn’t carried the ball nearly as much in the playoffs, but he has made the most of his touches.

He had six carries for 97 yards with a touchdown against Elbert County, and he ran for 177 yards on 14 attempts in the Hapeville Charter game.

Against Washington County, Hines had 102 yards on seven carries with touchdown runs of 51 yards, two yards, and 40 yards in the second half.

The 40-yard scoring run was all effort, with Hines breaking numerous tackles on the way to the end zone.

That touchdown gave Callaway a 35-20 lead with 1:40 left and clinched the victory.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a kid with the determination that they weren’t going to get tackled,” Napier said.

SETTLING IN: In the final game of the regular season, Callaway’s coaches decided to move sophomore quarterback Demetrius Coleman into a starting role.

The idea was not only to give Coleman an opportunity to show what he could do, but move Jacob Freeman back to wide receiver where he provides a big-play presence.

That decision has paid dividends for the Cavaliers, who have scored 149 points in four games with Coleman under center.

“Jacob, it was no knock on his quarterback ability, more than it was the best thing for the team,” Callaway offensive coordinator Matt Napier said. “Jacob is such a threat at receiver, and Demetrius he’s been working at quarterback with me and going to camps since he was in the seventh grade. He’s worked his tail off, and he’s just got a little more comfortable.”

In the opening round of the playoffs against Elbert County, Coleman wasn’t asked to do much, and he completed 7-of-14 passes for 40 yards.

In the second round against defending state-champion Hapeville Charter, Coleman looked comfortable, completing 5-of-6 passes for 80 yards.

The passing game opened up even more last week, with Coleman completing 8-of-14 passes for 162 yards with touchdown passes to Freeman and Markus Morman.

For Napier, Coleman offers reminders of former Callaway quarterback Dylan Johnson, who led the team to the Class AA state semifinals in 2016.

“He reminds you of Dylan Johnson, and we’re able to do the kind of things we did when we had Dylan,” Napier said. “He doesn’t get rattled by anything. He’s a cool customer. He’s played against some really tough competition the last few weeks, and he’s really grown in the role.

“He’s taken over from a leadership standpoint. He’s got a calmness about him that I think the other players respond to.”

Someone else who has confidence in Coleman is Keiondre Jones, a four-year starter on the offensive line.

“He’s smart. He’s a great player,” Jones said. “He works hard, and he wants it as bad as everybody else. We appreciate that.”

BACK AGAIN: Callaway is hoping the third time is the charm.

This is the Cavaliers’ third trip to the semifinals since 2013, and they’ve come up short in their previous two appearances.

In 2013, Callaway led Buford at the half, but it lost 24-14.

Callaway returned to the semifinals in 2016, and it lost to Benedictine 49-10.

If Callaway beats Rockmart today, it would play for a state championship for the first time in the history of a program that played its first game in 1996.

FAMILIAR OPPONENTS: This will be the ninth time since 2006 that Callaway and Rockmart have played.

Since losing the first of the previous eight games, Callaway has beaten Rockmart seven consecutive times.

While most of those meetings came when the teams were in the same region, they played in the second round of the state playoffs last year, with Callaway winning 40-35.

This will be the best Rockmart team Callaway has ever played.

Rockmart is 13-0 and has blown out nearly every one if its opponents.

Someone else who has confidence in Coleman is Keiondre Jones, a four-year starter on the offensive line.

“He’s smart. He’s a great player,” Jones said. “He works hard, and he wants it as bad as everybody else. We appreciate that.”

BACK AGAIN: Callaway is hoping the third time is the charm.

This is the Cavaliers’ third trip to the semifinals since 2013, and they’ve come up short in their previous two appearances.

In 2013, Callaway led Buford at the half, but it lost 24-14.

Callaway returned to the semifinals in 2016, and it lost to Benedictine 49-10.

If Callaway beats Rockmart today, it would play for a state championship for the first time in the history of a program that played its first game in 1996.

FAMILIAR OPPONENTS: This will be the ninth time since 2006 that Callaway and Rockmart have played.

Since losing the first of the previous eight games, Callaway has beaten Rockmart seven consecutive times.

While most of those meetings came when the teams were in the same region, they played in the second round of the state playoffs last year, with Callaway winning 40-35.

This will be the best Rockmart team Callaway has ever played.

Rockmart is 13-0 and has blown out nearly every one if its opponents.