Calera shut out Pickens County at home Friday night to lock up its first undefeated regular season since 1982.

The Eagles (9-0) will earn a victory for this week’s matchup with Fultondale even though the game will not actually be played. Fultondale announced it would forfeit the remainder of its games last week.

A week after clinching the Class 2A, Region 4 title with a win over Vincent, the Eagles dominated Pickens County in their final game before the playoffs.

&uot;I’ve been around football for a long time and I’ve never had a team like this,&uot; said Calera coach Ken Adams. &uot;They just believe they can do it.&uot;

Calera jumped out to a 35-0 lead over Pickens County in the first half, then played ball control offense to run out the clock and win by the same margin.

Quarterback Mike Watts was the first player to get on the board for the Eagles, scoring on a 3-yard run.

Just one minute later, Paul Delbridge picked off a pass and returned it 20 yards for the score. Delbridge recorded nine tackles for Calera on defense.

David Lacey picked up 72 yards on the ground for the Eagles, including a 20-yard touchdown run just before the end of the first quarter. He also had seven tackles for Calera.

The Eagles were stifling on defense, allowing just 116 yards of total offense and eight first downs.

In the second quarter, Watts found the end zone again on a 1-yard run and Cory Turnbloom dealt the final blow with an 11-yard scoring scamper.

Turnbloom was 5-for-5 kicking extra points.

Calera’s next game will be in the first round of the AHSAA playoffs, with Elba scheduled to visit Cairns Memorial Stadium Nov. 12.

Adams said Calera’s undefeated finish comes as a special treat to a team that had some tough seasons not too long ago.

Many of the Calera seniors were part of a young Eagles team that finished 1-9 five years ago.

&uot;Unless you’ve been 1-9, there’s no way you can really enjoy 10-0,&uot; Adams said