By TREY HICKMAN/For the Reporter

CENTREVILLE — It will be back to the drawing board for Class 4A top-ranked Calera come next week, as the Eagles fell to Bibb County 16-15 on Oct. 11.

Running back Justin Dedrick ran for a 9-yard touchdown with 1:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, and running back Terry Bell followed with a 2-point conversation run as host Class 4A No. 7 Bibb County pulled the upset over the No. 1 Eagles. From the opening kickoff it was a battle royale between not only two undefeated, top-10 teams, but also Region 4 rivals, giving the match-up significant region-championship implications.

The fourth quarter began with Calera holding a 15-8 advantage, though the Eagles would play the final period with their JV quarterback as cramps kept starter Ronnie Clark on the sideline and backup Brian Stone sat out with a possible shoulder injury. What ensued was a stalemate between two defenses that were “bend-but-don’t-break” all night.

Looking to wrap up the win, Calera instead fumbled inside its own 20 and the Choctaws (7-0, 5-0 in Region 4) recovered, setting up what proved to be the game-winning drive. The Eagles had one last drive of their own to remain undefeated, but a fourth-and-14 heave from quarterback Ty Evans to wide receiver Jordan Bishop fell incomplete as the final second ticked off the scoreboard.

“That’s two top-10 teams and that’s playoff football,” said Calera head coach Wiley McKeller. “A lot riding on the game. We left some points out there tonight, which you can’t do against good football teams. And give Bibb County a lot of credit. We didn’t capitalize and whenever they had to they did.”

Offensively for the Eagles, Shakeith Tyes tallied 134 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, and added 35 yards and a score on five receptions. Quarterback Ronnie Clark completed 5-of-7 passes for 60 yards and a score, and also collected 53 yards on 10 rushes.

Wide receiver Jordan Bishop grabbed four passes for 59 yards in the loss.

Free safety Henry Davis and outside linebacker Daillion Kennedy led Calera’s defense with six tackles apiece, while inside linebacker Coby Mize had five tackles and inside linebacker Garrett Reddin registered four tackles and a forced fumble.

Calera (6-1, 4-1) hosts Region 4 foe Oak Grove on October 18.