Class 3A Blog: Top-ranked Calhoun travels to Class 4A No. 4 Cartersville for GPB-aired matchup

Defending-champion Calhoun (2-0) is the top-ranked team in Class 3A while Cartersville (3-0) is ranked No. 4 in Class 4A and the televised meeting on GPB Friday will mark the 41st edition of one of the most storied Northwest Georgia rivalries.

Calhoun trails in the series, dating to 1926 when Calhoun won 14-7. Cartersville won the next five meetings before the Yellow Jackets’ 28-0 victory against Cartersville in 1932. The teams didn’t meet again until 1943, during WWII and in the war years – from ’43 to 1945 – Cartersville won 32-0, 20-6 and 46-0, respectively.

There was a tie 13-13 in 1957 – but from 1932-1976, Calhoun lost in every meeting. A 22-0 Calhoun victory in 1977 broke the winless streak for the Yellow Jackets but Cartersville won the next six meetings leading to Calhoun’s first-ever back-to-back victories against the Purple Hurricanes in 2000, when it won 28-13, and 2001, when it won 24-19.

Entering the contest, Calhoun lost the previous two meetings against Cartersville and won 50-48 in triple-overtime in 2022. The Yellow Jackets have moved past Creekview 28-3 and Westminster 35-17 this season.

Calhoun’s star sophomore quarterback Trace Hawkins in 26-of-34 passing for 415 yards and four touchdowns – two each to seniors Justin Beasley and Jaden Perkins. On the ground, the Yellow Jackets are led by sophomore Isiah Nalls, who has 16 carries for 1873 yards and three touchdowns while junior Hudson Chadwick has 23 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

Cartersville – which advanced to the quarterfinals in Class 4A last season -- is coming off victories against Columbia 44-0, Rockmart 39-14 and Hapeville Charter 42-6. Senior quarterback Nate Russell is 30-of-40 passing for 527 yards and nine touchdowns to seven different players. Seniors Brady Marchese and Davis Waddel each have two touchdown receptions while five players have one touchdown each. Braylon Hill and Tripp Chatmon each have two rushing touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets.

Two teams – No. 4 Sandy Creek and No. 10 Westover – are idle in Week 4.

Class 3A Top 10 Schedule

1. Calhoun – Friday at Class 4A No. 4 Cartersville; Sept. 12 vs. Class 4A No. 5 Cambridge; Sept. 26 at Adairsville

2. Peach County – Friday vs. Crisp County, Sept. 19 at Northside-Warner Robins; Sept. 26 at 10 Westover

3. Stephenson – Friday vs. Decatur; Sept. 12 at Mt. Zion-Jonesboro; Sept. 26 at North Clayton

4. Sandy Creek – Rests.

5. Jefferson – Friday at Stephens County; Sept. 26 at West Hall; Oct. 3 vs. Monroe Area

6. North Hall – Friday at East Hall; Sept. 12 vs. Chestatee; Sept. 19 vs. White County

7. LaGrange – Friday at Trinity Christian; Sept. 12 vs. Fayette County; Sept. 19 vs. Spalding

8. Cherokee Bluff – Friday vs. Habersham Central; Sept. 12 at Banks County; Sept. 26 vs. Oconee County

9. Troup – Friday vs. Whitewater; Sept. 13 vs. Mary Persons; Sept. 19 at Fayette County

10. Westover – Rests.

PHOTO BY - Jason Getz / AJC (Trace Hawkins against Jefferson in the 3A title game last season)