The Calera Eagles proved unwelcome guests, beating neighboring Montevallo 50-24 last Friday night.

The win over Montevallo secured a second place finish for Calera in 3A Region 3,

putting Montevallo in a must-win situation over B.B. Comer to make the playoffs.

Calera improved to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in region play, while Montevallo fell to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the region.

The contest was intense as rivalries get, according to Montevallo head football coach Jim King.

But when the dust settled, King said of Calera, &8220;That is by far the most talented team in this region … including Montgomery Academy.&8221;

Both Montevallo and Calera fell victim to Montgomery Academy, but King said the difference in talent was &8220;not even close.&8221;

&8220;Our guys were just ready,&8221; said Calera head football coach Mac Thompson. He said his team did not do well the week before and &8220;wanted to let everybody know we were still a good football team.&8221;

He said his players were able to put the loss to Montgomery Academy behind them and be rewarded for their hard work with a win against a good team in Montevallo.

Thompson said his defense played well as always. But against Montevallo, his offense played well too.

He singled out the play of Earl Haynes, Brian Watts and Kaderius Lacey.

Behind such guys, Calera struck early and often, getting off to a quick 37-12 lead at the half.

The Eagles&8217; rushing attack was evenly spread out between Haynes with 79 yards, Paul Winterbottom with 58 yards, Dominique Wilson with 43 yards and Lacey with 42 yards.

Winterbottom also completed 11 of 21 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown for the Eagles. He got things going with a 25-yard TD strike to Haynes and a 4-yard TD run.

Montevallo quarterback Phillip Evans went 2-2 for 47 yards and two touchdowns and Kevin Callender was 3-14 for 23 yards.

Evans got things going for the Bulldogs with a 31-yard pass to Dajuan Fulgham.

Evans also led Montevallo on the ground with 91 yards.

After the first half onslaught, things settled down and the Eagles edged the Bulldogs 13-12 in the final two quarters of play.

King said he was pleased with his team&8217;s defense, as well, pointing out that he started three freshmen and a sophomore in the secondary.

&8220;I was proud of the way they stepped up and took the challenge.&8221;

Calera out-rushed Montevallo 222 yards to 78 and out-passed the Bulldogs 218 yard to 59.

Montevallo will close out region play against B.B. Comer on the road this Friday night while Calera hosts LaFayette.