Photos by Clear Blue Skys Studio
Ridgeview News stood on the sidelines as I do most every game to cover the game as a videographer when possible and take pictures and update game highlights on social media when I cannot due to cell phone coverage being spotty in Calhoun. I make no profession of understanding the game short of when the player runs the ball past the end of the field, it’s a touchdown! I most always wait until someone much more knowledgable about such matters fill me in on what exactly happened. (Read Gaylen Duskey’s stats below.
I have yet to receive a statement from the Calhoun Red Devil Coach, which is understandable being that his weekend had some excitement in it.
I did manage to cover the first half of the game on video, but unfortunately on the second half I lost service. Which happened to be the part the world would have like to have seen live.
The truth as I know it or have been told about Friday night’s game is that the feelings of animosity on the field from Paden City were felt prior to the fight and the attitude of the Paden City Coach wasn’t well received either. As the Paden City team exited the field for the locker room at halftime, some of our youth (elementary and middle school) attempted to get high fives and handshakes from the Paden City players. The Paden City Coach barked at them to “Stop talking to my team and go talk to your own people.” So perhaps the nasty attitude of the players began with leadership.
Then the Fight!
As always in theses circumstances it came quickly and without warning. But after all, we’re talking a full contact sport. I couldn’t tell from Clear Blue Skys Studio pictures what was game and what was fight, it all looked the same to me.
But when the fight broke out, I heard Calhoun’s coaches screaming at their players in an attempt to gain control. They were instructed by the Referees, “that if they took one more step they’d be ejected.” Yet the referees apparently made no attempt to stop the fighting themselves.
It can be seen on Calhoun Team video, Senior & Captain Ian Persinger, being charged at by one of Paden City’s players leading with the crown of his helmet in a threatening manner, to which Persinger took him to the ground and did not proceed to engage further in the altercation. Persinger was then ejected by WVSSAC officials for defending himself. Another of Calhoun’s players, Jayton Gibson came off the bench in defense of his team, which is in violation of game rules, he was then ejected. The third ejected player, Adam Hughes, allegedly threw punches after having his helmet forcefully removed by Paden City player number 5; who then used the helmet in an attempt to hit Hughes with it.
Two of Paden City’s players were ejected as well.
STATEMENT FROM COACH STUMP:
At one point it got out of control, there is no room for fighting on any playing field, my staff doesn’t teach or will tolerate that, players need to be disciplined and have self control. But that didn’t take away from our players win. They played hard as a team and our coaching staff was extremely proud of their efforts.
I have reached out to the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission for comment but have yet to receive a reply.
Game stats by Gaylen Duskey, Sportswriter
Ian Persinger rushed for 194 yards and Owen Taylor scored three touchdowns Friday night to lead Calhoun to its first victory of the season beating Paden City 36-0 in the Red Devils’ homecoming.
The Red Devils had their best offensive game of the year but the real difference was that the Red Devils had their best defensive games too. In the second game of the season the Red Devils scored 34 points at Valley but in that game the Red Devils allowed the Lumberjacks to score 60 points. But that was then and this big win over Paden City is now.
Persinger got Calhoun on the board late in the first quarter from 16 yards out. Persinger added the extra points to put the Red Devils up 8-0 and it was a lead they would never relinquish.
The Red Devils broke the game open in the second period with a couple of Taylor touchdowns the first from 49 yards out and the second from one. Taylor added the extra points on the second touchdown giving Calhoun a 22-0 lead at halftime.
Persinger scored on a 61-yard run in the third period with Taylor adding an eight-yard run early in the fourth quarter to set the final score. Overall Calhoun had 379 yards rushing with Taylor adding 108 to Persinger’s 194 while Jayton Gibson chipped in with 64 more.
The Red Devils did not need to pass often and did not, getting only 19 yards through the air.
Calhoun, 1-4, returns to action Tuesday night when Trinity Christian invades in a make up game from a couple weeks back.
