Callaway thrives this time of year

Published 7:41 pm Monday, November 11, 2019

By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

If Callaway beats Chattooga, it will host either Bleckley County or Fitzgerald in the second round with a berth in the quarterfinals on the line.

The Cavaliers have advanced to the state semifinals three times since 2013, and they reached the quarterfinals in 2017.

While many of the names on the back of the jersey are different each season, the way the Cavaliers do things has remained the same throughout Wiggins’ tenure.

“It’s always one day at a time,” Wiggins said. “We talk about each rep, and each play. Each play, each rep, is ultimately what makes you a great football player. You have to take advantage of all the opportunities that you have. That’s what we feel like builds the tradition that we have here, and we feel like the kids have done a good job of that throughout the years.”

Callaway made it to the state semifinals last season before losing a 28-22 heart-breaker to Rockmart.

Despite losing more than 20 seniors from that team, the Cavaliers have kept the good times rolling this season and appear poised to compete for a title.

After dropping its season opener to Opelika, Callaway finished the regular season on a nine-game winning streak.

Callaway clinched its seventh region title since 2008 with a 34-0 victory over Heard County, and it closed the regular season with a 51-0 win over Jordan.

The Cavaliers finished the season with three straight shutouts, and they’ve only allowed seven points in their past four games.

Callaway’s offense has done its part as well, averaging 41 points per game, with quarterback Demetrius Coleman throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and running back Cartavious “Tank” Bigsby closing in on a 1,000-yard season.

“We’ve just got to keep working and do what we do and stay healthy, and try to accomplish the goals that we’ve set,” Wiggins said.

First up for Callaway is a Chattooga team put the wraps on a 5-5 regular season with a 29-12 loss to Pepperell last week.

Callaway’s second-round opponent would either be Bleckley County or Fitzgerald, who both have 7-3 records.