The Calera Eagles saw their nine-win season come to an end last Friday night on a failed 2-point conversion attempt in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

Calera (9-2) fell to Abbeville (9-2) at home 20-19 in the first round of the state 3A playoffs.

The Eagles out rushed Abbeville 245 to 103 yards. But Abbeville out passed the Eagles 357 to 129 yards.

It was through the air that Abbeville first drew

blood. Donovan Owen connected with D.J. Wiggins for a 79-yard TD strike.

Owen next connected with Josh Carter on a 90-yard bomb, and just like that Calera was down 12-0 in the first quarter.

Both the Eagles and the visiting Yellow Jackets played each other to a defensive stalemate in the second quarter.

Dominique Wilson got Calera on the scoreboard with a 7-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Paul Winterbottom put the Eagles on top 13-12 with a 42-yard run in the fourth quarter.

The Yellow Jackets would then responded with a 2-yard touchdown run and 2-point conversion for a 20-13 lead.

The Eagles also made a 2-yard touchdown run by Winterbottom and the game came down to a 2-point conversion for the win.

The Eagles went for the 2-point conversion and the win, and it looked as if the home team would prevail. But a clipping call negated the 2-point try, and the Eagles would have to go for it again.

This time, the conversion failed and the Eagles&8217; season was done.

Calera coach Mac Thompson said he tried for the 2-point conversion because his kicker was 1-6 in extra points.

Thompson said losing by one point was a tough way for his seniors to go out. But, he added he just didn&8217;t think his team understood what it takes to win in the playoffs.

He sang the praises of his quarterback, Winterbottom, who completed 12 of 26 passes for 129 yards and two interceptions and who rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.

Wilson led the Eagles in rushing with 137 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries.

Thompson said he will lose 12 seniors from this year&8217;s team, but he felt he could build on a 9-1 regular season record