If need be, the Cavaliers have the ability to put together 10-play drives that eat up a lot of clock, but so far, they haven’t needed to do that since they’re scoring so quickly.
Last week against Chapel Hill, it was an amazing display, with all five of the scoring plays covering at least 15 yards.
Quarterback Tez Parks had a long touchdown run, and he also threw a scoring pass to Terry Godwin.
Godwin in turn not only had the touchdown catch, but he scored on a 63-yard run on a reverse play.
Fullback Devon Rosser got into the act with a couple of scoring runs, and although he didn’t score, Pedy Leverette had a long reception that set up a touchdown.
Most of the offensive damage was done in the first half when the Cavaliers led 28-0.
For an offense that seems to be getting better every week, it was a remarkable performance.
“We had our best game as far as our first four possessions (all touchdowns),” Callaway offensive coordinator Matt Napier said. “We went three-and-out on that fifth, and we were disappointed in that possession. We missed an assignment up front and didn’t get a first down.”
Still, it was hard to find too much to quibble about following last week’s performance.
“It’s getting a little bit better each week at running what we do,” Napier said. “And the kids, the more reps they get at it, the better at it they are. And that’s the way it works with anything.”
It all begins with Parks, a junior in his first season as the full-time starter.
He played occasionally at quarterback his first two years while his brother, Ricky Parks, was the full-time signal-caller.
Tez Parks was the unquestioned starter coming into this season, and he has been terrific.
Parks has been a dynamic runner all season, and he’s getting better in the passing game each week.
Against Chapel Hill, he only threw five passes, but he completed four of them for more than 100 yards.
“With Tez getting a little more seasoning, a little more reps, we’re getting more comfortable letting him throw it around a little bit,” Napier said.
The Cavaliers are primarily a running back, and Napier said the passing game works best when the Cavaliers are getting it done on the ground.
“With us, as far as what we were able to do (against Chapel Hill), we were able to play-action pass,” Napier said. “If you can run the ball, you can play-action pass and you can get people open.
“And of course, we have playmakers, and we’re trying to get them the ball in as many ways as possible whether it’s running it or catching it, and that’s just what we try to do.”
One of those playmakers is Godwin, who is a touchdown waiting to happen whether it’s on offense, on defense as a ball-hawking member of the secondary, or on special teams as a return man.
Godwin played a lot as a freshman, and he’s been a huge part of the offense this season.
“We have guys that need to touch it,“ Napier said. “Terry Godwin, we tried to get him a reverse, just to try to get him the ball as much as possible.”
Godwin was so impressive during the summer at a seven-on-seven camp that he received an offer from Georgia head coach Mark Richt, and that was before he even began his sophomore year.
Godwin’s position coach on defense, Ashley Summerlin, said “he can do some amazing things, there’s no doubt about it.
“He’s a kid who can do some stuff kind of like Quan (Bray) did when he was here,” Summerlin added. “And he’s still (young). He’s a sophomore. He still makes some mistakes here and there, but he learns from it.”
Leverette, as he showed in the Chapel Hill game, is also a receiver who can do exciting things when he gets his hands on the ball.
Callaway’s forte, though, is its option-oriented running attack led by Parks.
The running back position is an area of strength and depth for the Cavaliers.
Wilson Lindsey, Kel Kyles, Eddie Culpepper and Cortez Leonard have each made an impact at the running-back position, and Rosser has been superb at fullback, most recently scoring twice against Chapel Hill.
As good as Callaway’s skill people are, their contributions wouldn’t be nearly what they are without an effective offensive line.
Starting up front for the Cavaliers are right tackle Brandon Sutton, right guard Devin Powell, center Josh Williams, left guard Josh Emery and left tackle Mike “Moose” DeLoach.
The tight ends are Keshum Freeman and L’Lynn Allen.
The two seniors on the line are Emery and DeLoach.
“They do a great job leading our kids, and we’re real proud of their effort,” Wiggins said.
Callaway’s offense will face a major test on Friday at Central-Carroll, which is off to a 3-0 start in region play.
“We expect a good test from Central. They’re good,“ Napier said. “They’re as good as they’ve been in awhile, so we’re looking forward to playing them. It’s a big test.”
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