Calera falls short at Jemison

Published 2:10 am Saturday, September 13, 2008

Trailing 21-19, Calera was looking for one last hope as time was ticking away.

After driving to midfield, a fumble recovered by Jemison’s Jacob Chapman with 16 seconds to play put an end to Calera’s rally and the game.

Jemison struck early, but Calera managed to hang around through the night.

Jemison scored first on an 8-yard throw by Eric Argo to Jesse Taylor. But the Eagles answered its next time on defense when Zach Isbell picked off Argo and returned the interception 91 yards for a touchdown. Erick Tinajero’s point-after attempt was no good, leaving the Eagles down, 7-6.

Calera later took the lead, 12-7, on a 4-yard run by Kendal Cox.

Jemison regained the lead, 14-12, moments before the half on Argo’s 25-yard pass to Taylor.

The Panthers managed to shut out the Eagles in the second quarter and again in the third, when Jemison added another seven points on a 9-yard pass from Argo to Patrick Sims.

Calera decided to ditch its spread offense late in the game and switched to the I-formation, running down the field with Cox, who punched the ball into the end zone on fourth down from 23 yards out. Tinajero’s kick was good, pulling the Eagles within two points, 21-19, but that would be all the scoring for the night.

In addition to failing to convert on two extra points, Calera was hindered by 21 penalties adding up to 133 yards and converting on only 3-of-9 third-down attempts.

Despite the set backs, Calera out gained Jemison, 305-294, in total yards of offense, with Brandon Wells leading the way with 137 yards passing. Cox had 129 yards on the ground.

Calera (1-2, 1-1) will host region opponent Bibb County next week.