Adairsville shut out at home by Calhoun

September 27, 2025

The defending Class 3A state champion Calhoun Yellow Jackets showcased their championship pedigree Friday night, dismantling the Adairsville Tigers with a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defense to earn a 36-0 Region 7-AAA victory at Adairsville High School.

Calhoun wasted little time, striking first with 5:59 left in the opening quarter. Quarterback Trace Hawkins connected with Justin Beasley on a 45-yard touchdown pass, capping a swift 65-yard, six-play drive. Owen Vicente’s extra point gave the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead. The Jackets’ defense added to the tally late in the first, as Adairsville quarterback Braxton Elrod was flagged for intentional grounding in his own end zone, resulting in a safety and a 9-0 Calhoun advantage.

The second quarter saw Calhoun’s offense continue to roll. Early in the period, Hawkins found Beau Kelly for a 4-yard touchdown pass, finishing a 24-yard, seven-play drive to make it 16-0. With 2:32 remaining before halftime, running back Hudson Chadwick punched in a 1-yard touchdown run to close a 61-yard, 12-play march, pushing the lead to 23-0 at the break.

The Yellow Jackets showed no signs of slowing down in the third quarter. Chadwick scored his second 1-yard touchdown run of the night with 6:32 left, concluding a 52-yard, eight-play drive to extend the lead to 30-0. Later in the quarter, Hawkins and Beasley hooked up again, this time on a 46-yard touchdown pass that finalized a 76-yard, five-play drive, bringing the score to 36-0.

With a running clock in the fourth quarter due to the mercy rule, neither team scored, sealing Calhoun’s commanding victory.

Elrod was 6-for-14 passing for 73 yards for the Tigers. Barrett Fuller finished with two receptions for 52 yards. Jayvian Carson added 38 rushing yards on eight carries.

On defense for Adairsville, Jake Barszcz and Matthew Cook had eight tackles. Colt Sanford and Max Hatch followed with seven.

Calhoun (3-2, 1-0) hosts Ridgeland on Friday. Meanwhile, Adairsville (2-4, 1-1) will take advantage of a bye week to regroup before facing Ridgeland on the road on October 10.

— Larry Gardner contributed to this report.