Calera falls to Jemison

Published 12:35 am Saturday, September 25, 2010

Calera junior Eugene Rodgers breaks away for a long gain in the Eagles' loss Sept. 24. (Contributed/Kristi Ingram)

FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Calera High School football team fell to Jemison 41-38 in a non-region contest Sept. 24.

Eugene Rodgers rushed for two touchdowns and reeled in a touchdown reception to lead the Eagles, who dropped to 2-3 overall.

A.J. Nixon scored the first Calera touchdown in the game with his 7-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the first quarter to cut Jemison’s early lead to 7-6.

The Eagles went into the locker room with a 16-14 lead following a 12-yard touchdown run by Rodgers and Erick Tinajero’s 29-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Tony Elkins returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to extend the lead to 22-14 before Jemison took over in the second half.

Following 20 unanswered points by the Panthers, Rodgers scored his second rushing touchdown with a 9-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.

Rodgers capped the scoring for the Eagles with his 16-yard touchdown reception from Zack Reneau.

Rodgers finished with 85 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and caught nine passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Brandon Wells, who started the season at quarterback, finished with six carries for 65 yards and caught two passes for 27 yards while playing mainly at receiver.

Te’Darius King added 45 rushing yards on seven carries. Ronnie Clark caught nine passes for 70 yards. Jeremy Hyde added six receptions for 32 yards.

Reneau completed 29-of-42 passes for 211 yards with a touchdown.

Nixon led the Calera defense with six tackles, including two tackles for a loss.

Henoko Lubala and Nick Pennington recorded four tackles each.