PONTOTOC — Before Pontotoc could turn Thursday night into a comfortable region win, it had to keep Caledonia out of the end zone.
The Cavaliers moved inside the Warriors’ 10 early at Tommy Morton Field. A touchdown there would have given the visitors the first lead. Instead, Pontotoc held, the first quarter ended scoreless, and the Warriors’ offense took over the night in the second.
Pontotoc scored 28 points before halftime and beat Caledonia 41–6 on October 15, getting 193 rushing yards from Markavion Jones and three touchdown passes from Nolan Ashley. The Warriors moved to 6–1 overall and 2–0 in Region 1-5A. Caledonia fell to 3–4 and 1–1.
The opening stop and the second-quarter scoring burst told both sides of the game. Caledonia had an early chance to make Pontotoc chase the lead. By the break, the Cavaliers were the ones facing a 28–3 deficit.
Warriors find room on the ground and through the air
Jones carried 17 times, scored twice and broke a 56-yard run. His 11.4 yards per carry helped Pontotoc build a 277-yard rushing night, but the Warriors did not have to depend on the run alone.
Ashley completed eight of 12 passes for 180 yards without an interception, spreading his touchdown throws among three receivers. Tim Jones caught three passes for 70 yards and a score. Chayton Johnson added four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Kyan Roberson needed only one reception to contribute a 53-yard scoring play.
A week earlier, Ashley had supplied two rushing touchdowns in the win over West Point. Against Caledonia, the sophomore helped open the game up with his arm.
Pontotoc’s production extended beyond those two offensive leaders. Terrayn Green ran for 43 yards on five carries, and Kolton Witcher added 33 on three attempts. The Warriors finished with 466 total yards, including 189 through the air.
Caledonia cannot turn its chances into touchdowns
The Cavaliers scored a field goal in the second quarter and another in the third. They never reached the end zone.
Pontotoc added six points in the third to take a 34–6 lead into the fourth, then supplied the final seven. A blocked punt and a five-yard punt-return touchdown also contributed to the Warriors’ night. Carter Vineyard made all five of his extra-point attempts.
For Caledonia, coming off a 27–8 region-opening win over Columbus, the early trip inside the 10 stood out even more as the deficit grew. The Cavaliers needed touchdowns to keep pace with an offense producing on the ground and downfield. They finished with two field goals.
Pontotoc has now allowed six points in each of its first two region games. Since the 38–35 loss at Shannon on October 1, the Warriors have beaten West Point and Caledonia by a combined 64–12.
Both teams go on the road Friday, October 23. Pontotoc visits New Hope with its unbeaten region record, while Caledonia heads to West Point looking to get back above .500 in league play. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.
