An emotional week for the Caldwell County Tiger football team had an emotional ending — a 91-yard kickoff return late powering a 19-14 victory over Christian County in the season opener at Tiger Stadium.
Caldwell’s special teams were crucial on a night when the Tigers remembered head coach David Barnes, who died last Saturday morning.
The Tigers scored the first time they touched the ball. After holding Christian County on the initial series of the night, Baron Wells returned the ensuing punt 65 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown.
Max Ashley threw a thunderous block to help Wells turn the corner on the return and Tate VanHooser helped lead the way down the sideline. Blake Vivrette kicked the extra point to put Caldwell up 7-0 just 1:39 into the contest.
The Tigers caught a break on their next series when a Russ Beshear aerial was tipped twice by Christian defenders.
However, the second deflection knocked the ball up into the air, and it fell into the hands of Tripp Branch for an 11-yard scoring play. The PAT missed, leaving Caldwell with a 13-0 advantage.
Christian gained some momentum just before halftime. A 35-yard touchdown pass from Donta Abren to Cameron Coleman. LRay Coleman ran for two to make it a 13-8 game with 5:41 left in the half.
The defenses battled tough on both sides in what was a physical affair at the line of scrimmage.
Christian appeared to spoil the night for Caldwell when Coleman scored on a 2-yard run with just 2:19 left in the contest. That gave the Colonels their first lead of the night at 19-14.
But Caldwell’s special teams came up big again. Wells picked up the kickoff at his own 9-yard line. Wells zigged and zagged his way all over the field before finally finding an opening down the right sideline and scooting into the end zone for the deciding score with 1:57 left in the game.
A flag thrown on the play left many on the Caldwell side thinking the return was going to be called back. However, the flag was thrown because a Christian defender ran out of bounds while covering the kick, allowing the play to stand and setting off a wild scene at Tiger Stadium.
Caldwell won despite being held to just 167 total yards while Christian had 322 yards.
DeEric Hollowell ran for 51 yards for the Tigers while Beshear had 48 yards.
For Christian, Abren passed for 207 yards, completing 14 of 30 attempts with a score and an interception. LRay Coleman caught five passes for 87 yards. Cameron Coleman had three grabs for 59 yards and Joseph Anderson had three receptions for 34 yards.
Coleman was the leading rusher with 38 yards on four carries. Robert Falvey rushed for 37 yards on seven attempts and Abren toted the rock 17 times for 30 yards.
Defensively, Caldwell got eight tackles apiece from Travion Samuel, Elijah Shaheen and Ben Holt. Ashley had an interception.
Caldwell is at home again next week, hosting Owensboro Apollo. Apollo outscored Warren Central 66-56 Friday night.
Christian plays at home next week, hosting Christian Academy of Louisville in the Toyota of Hopkinsville Jerry Claiborne Bowl. CAL edged South Oldham 6-0 in overtime Friday.
