It’s a stat that won’t be lost in the record books, but the beginning of Calhoun’s journey to the Georgia Dome last season began with defeat in Dalton.

The No. 2-ranked Yellow Jackets, who would go on to play in the Class AA state championship game, lost to the Catamounts 30-7, making it their worst loss under head coach Hal Lamb since 2003.

But this season, Calhoun welcomes Dalton to the new-and-improved Phil Reeve Stadium where fresh artificial turf awaits the Region 7-AAAA team that fell to the Jackets two years ago.

Lamb isn’t ready to look past a program going for their 50th consecutive winning season.

“I think this is the best team they’ve had since I’ve been at Calhoun,” Lamb said. “They present a lot of problems for us. They’re well disciplined and well coached.”

Returning for Dalton is quarterback Stryker Brown and fullback Shaquon Moore, who is also a force at linebacker.

“I think it’s a win-win situation when you play a quality opponent like Dalton,” Lamb said.

“If you win, you’ve got some big momentum going into the rest of the season. If you lose, you’ve got a lot to work on but it doesn’t really hurt you as far as your goals.”

Calhoun certainly bounced back from their game against the Catamounts last season.

The Jackets rolled off 11 wins in a row after starting out 1-2 and played Buford for the state title at the end of the postseason, losing 45-21.

“I think we’re as ready as we’ll ever be for the first game of the season,” Lamb said. “It’s interesting because you don’t know what to expect from your first opponent.”

Nash Nance will start for the Jackets after working to adapt himself to Calhoun’s system following his transfer from Darlington.

Lamb said that Nance has done well during the preseason but is concerned with the offensive line after the graduation of standouts Rhett Jackson and David Clemons.

“It will be interesting to see how we start out,” Lamb said. “I think whoever can control the ball the best will have the upper hand.”