CALHOUN CITY – Raheem Roberson missed an extra point, but connected on a 29-yard field goal and Demarius Howard made a touchdown-saving play Thursday to help Calhoun City escape with a 9-7 win over Vardaman.

Lavoris Hackett appeared to make a game-changing play when he slipped several tackles and broke free for an 85-yard run, but Howard raced down the field to strip Hackett from behind of the football, allowing the Wildcats (2-2) to recover the ball inside their own 5-yard line.

“It reminded me of Don Beebe doing that for the Buffalo Bills,” Calhoun City coach Perry Liles. “He made a good effort play and sometimes when you give effort good things happen and did for us.”

Vardaman’s defense held and senior quarterback Austin Spann quickly guided the Rams (3-1) to the Wildcats’ 36-yard line after a miracle pass, as Spann was being sacked by Donta Walker for a 5-yard gain on third down.

Spann’s pass on fourth down was incomplete allowing the Wildcats to take over with two minutes left.

The Rams’ defense forced Calhoun City to punt the ball with 26 seconds remaining, but Vardaman muffed the punt and Calhoun City recovered the loose ball and escaped with the win.

Calhoun City scored in the first quarter when J.R. Jennings connected with Darnell Pulliam for a 12-yard touchdown.

Roberson later drilled a 29-yard field goal to put the Wildcats up 9-0.

“Our special teams played really great tonight,” Liles said.

Vardaman got on the board when Austin Spann found Walker for a 16-yard scoring pass, on its opening drive of the second half to make it a 9-7 game midway through the third quarter.

Vardaman’s Spann finished 13 of 19 for 202 yards passing, one touchdown, and one interception. Pulliam rushed for 97 yards on 12 carries and had one pass reception for 23 yards and a TD for Calhoun City.

The home team has now won the last five out of six meetings.

Walnut rolls at home

- WALNUT – Shaquille Perry was magnificent and the No. 1-ranked Walnut Wildcats rolled to a 47-6 victory at home over Middleton, Tenn.

Perry started the scoring for the Daily Journal’s top-ranked small school (3-0) with a 52-yard fumble return less than 20 seconds into the game.

Just over a minute later, the junior would return a punt 80 yards for a score. He would also score on a 6-yard pass in the second quarter.

Perry would finish the game with 167 all-purpose yards and three TDs on just six plays.