Ninth-year Calera head coach Ken Adams said his Eagles &uot;did what we needed to do&uot; as Calera decimated Region 4 opponent Hale County, 53-6.

&uot;We were able to throw the ball when we needed, we were able to run when we needed,&uot; Adams said of his team’s performance.

The Eagles used a running backs-by-committee strategy to upend Hale County, where five Eagle backs scored a rushing touchdown.

Leading the way for Calera was David Lacey, who rushed for 83 yards on seven carries and a touchdown. Also rushing for a touchdown were T.J. Green, Paul Delbridge, Wayne Burns and Cory Turnbloom, who rushed for two touchdowns in the Eagles’ victory.

Adams was quick to praise the play of his offensive line, which saw several new faces in new positions after an injury forced Adams to adjust his line.

&uot;Our offensive line adjusted well to their new positions,&uot; Adams said. &uot;You don’t want anybody to go down, but when they do, you want your players to respond like ours did.&uot;

The Eagles’ passing game was almost flawless in the win with Mike Watts throwing 6-of-7 for 103 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, Paul Delbridge, also the Eagles’ leading receiver in the game with three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown, led all defenders with 11 tackles, four of those for a loss.

The Eagles also used interceptions by Rico Jones, Mike Ryan and O.J. Snell to down Hale County. Jones also had a fumble recovery on the night.

This week, the Eagles travel to take on a Billingsley team that downed Vincent Friday night, 16-13.

&uot;(Billingsley) is like we are; they’re not going to throw the ball unless they have to,&uot; Adams said.

After facing Billingsley, Calera travels to Vincent, a team the Eagles have never beaten during the regular season under Adams.

&uot;The next two weeks will decide the region,&uot; Adams said. &uot;We have not done anything yet. We’ve been 6-0, but we’ve never been 7-0.