The Calera Eagles are soaring high after defeating Highland Home, 25-20, on the road last Friday night and are now preparing to meet defending 2A state champion Leroy at home.

CHS head football coach Lanny Jones gave credit for the win to his players.

&8220;We started off backs against the wall, down 14-0,&8221;Jones said. But he said, &8220;give a lot of credit&8221; to his kids.

Jones said his players &8220;fought and fought. (It) had nothing to do with coaching. They just wanted it and went and got it.&8221;

Jones said his Eagles finally pulled a big win out after having lost some close games this season.

&8220;I think that’s a positive going forward to this week’s game,&8221; he said.

Quarterback Brock Russell had a big hand in two Eagle touchdowns and scored one against Highland Home.

Russell completed touchdowns passes of 75 and 57 yards and scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak. The 57-yard TD pass eventually proved to be the game-winner.

Russell also intercepted a pass on Calera’s 15-yard line on the defensive side of the ball.

The Eagles’ head coach recognized Seth Merrite for catching both TD passes from Russell for a total of 132 yards and Kaderius Lacey for rushing 131 yards and scoring a touchdown on a one-yard run.

The Eagles held Highland Home to 152 yards total offense while putting together 272 yards of offense of their own.

Russell completed 3-of-8 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Defensively, Russell had nine tackles and one interception while Lacey and Earl Haynes had seven tackles each.

Now the Eagles turn their attention to defending 2A state champion Leroy.

&8220;The biggest thing we have to do is just keep doing what we’re doing and not turn the ball over,&8221; Jones said. He also said his team has to &8220;take advantage of the breaks.&8221;

Jones expects the home field to be an advantage and he noted both teams should draw big crowds of supporters for a good game atmosphere