For three quarters Friday night, Calera and Jemison went toe to toe and were tied 21-21.

The fourth quarter was all Calera as the Eagles scored 21 unanswered points to pull away for a key 42-21 region victory.

Calera head coach Scott Martin credited his team’s motto for the victory.

“Our team motto is that we can wear them down through four quarters and we’re going to play all four quarters,” Martin said. “It helps that we play 22 kids and don’t start anyone both ways. We were extremely proud that our guys fought and played for all four quarters.”

With all the offense on the night, the play of the night came on a defensive stand for Calera deep in its own territory. On fourth-and-1 from its own 7-yard line, Travis Green was able to tackle Jemison running back Javae Swindle in the backfield for a loss on the play.

“I saw it was a counter and said to myself that I can’t let him get that first down,” Green said about the play. “I grabbed onto him and I wasn’t letting go.”

Calera took over on downs with eight minutes remaining in the game and took little time making the defensive stand count. Quarterback Brandon Wells found Trent Posey on a crossing route at the 15-yard line and Posey was able to get a block and take it the distance for a 93-yard touchdown reception. Nathan Langner added the extra point to give Calera a 28-21 lead.

“I had a blocker downfield who made a very good block on the play,” Posey said. “I was able to find a crease to the outside and take it all the way.”

After holding Jemison on three plays, Calera got the ball and went to work in a hurry. On the Eagles’ third play, Wells kept the ball on a quarterback keeper and scored from 22 yards out for his third rushing touchdown of the night. Langner added the extra point to put Calera up 35-21 with just over five minutes left in the game.

Brandon Wells credited the entire offense for his touchdown runs.

“It takes focus from the other ten guys on the offense,” Wells said. “Without them, the three touchdown runs would have been zero touchdown runs. They deserve the credit because without them, none of it would have been possible.”

One minute later, Calera was right back on the scoreboard as Eugene Rodgers finished off the scoring on the night with his second touchdown. Rodgers scored his final touchdown on a run from 13 yards out. Langner added the extra point to make the final score 42-21.

Calera finished the night with 471 yards of total offense. Brandon Wells led Calera on the ground with 197 yards rushing with three touchdowns. Eugene Rodgers added 104 rushing yards with two touchdowns. Wells was 7-of-13 passing for 170 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Trent Posey led all receivers with two catches for 97 yards and a touchdown and Rodgers added two catches for 49 yards.

Adam Winterbottom led the defense with 11 tackles.

Calera improves their record to 3-0 on the season and 2-0 in Class 4A, Region 3 play. The Eagles travel to Bibb County next week in a key region contest.