MARBURY – Montevallo caught a break after Marbury fumbled an option pitch in the fourth quarter, as Montevallo’s Kevin Callender recovered the loose ball for a touchdown to make it 21-13. However it wasn’t enough to stop the Marbury Bulldogs’ threat, Ronnie Johnson, as Montevallo failed to win back-to-back dogfights, losing 27-19.

Facing a third-and-13 play, Johnson hurdled a Montevallo defender at the first down marker and raced down the sideline for a 63-yard touchdown run to put Marbury up 27-13.

“All I knew is that I had to make a first down,” Johnson said.

The Montevallo Bulldogs were keying in on Johnson in the first half, but he still managed to produce, breaking free for 169 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns.

Montevallo started the game on a sour note, as Callender threw an interception that set up Johnson’s first score, a 1-yard touchdown run. Shane Taunton added the extra point to put the Marbury Bulldogs up 7-0.

After Marbury took a 14-0 lead, Montevallo gained some aid by a fourth-down pass interference penalty. Following the penalty, Montevallo pulled within a touchdown on Derek Nelson’s 4-yard score. Marbury led 14-6 at the half.

Montevallo’s Callender connected with Brandon Lilly on a 41-yard touchdown throw on the last play of the game.

Montevallo travels to Montgomery Academy Friday, while Marbury will travel to No. 4 Calera for a region showdown.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the players who scored Montevallo’s first and second touchdowns.

football: montevall