By DREW GRANTHUM/For the Reporter

CALERA — For a team that is known for its offensive prowess, the Calera Eagles put on a defensive clinic Nov. 8, besting the Tallassee Tigers, 21-10.

The Tigers opened up with the ball, putting together a 10-play drive that ended when Tallassee turned the ball over on downs.

Calera took the ball and also churned out a 10-play drive that ended when Stephen Ellison’s attempt at a field goal came up short.

Tallassee then went three and out after gaining only four yards and punted.

Calera followed up with an eight-play drive, ending when a mishandled hold led to a missed field goal by Ellison.

Tallassee’s next drive stalled, ending when the Tigers muffed a snap on a punt, leading to the Eagles getting the ball on the 2-yard line. Ronnie Clark scored on a run the next play, and Ellison’s extra point was perfect, giving Calera a 7-0 win with 7:36 left in the second.

Tallassee answered with a field goal on its next drive, cutting the lead to four with 1:58 left in the half.

Following intermission, Calera was forced to punt on the opening drive, but the Eagles’ defense held the Tigers to a missed field goal on their next drive.

Calera’s offense responded with a six-play drive that ended when Shakeith Tyes scored on a 12-yard run to open a 14-3 lead after Ellison’s kick.

Tallassee scored on the ensuing kickoff, making it 14-10 in favor of Calera with 3:59 left in the third.

Calera couldn’t get anything going on its next drive, but gave the defense a boost on a beautiful punt by Ellison that pinned the Tigers inside their own five.

Unable to move the ball, Tallassee gave the ball back to Calera. The Eagles scored in five plays when Tyes scored from nine yards out. Ellison’s kick was good, and Calera held a 21-10 lead with 9:23 left in the fourth.

The Eagles defense stood strong for the remainder of the game, as Calera held on for a 21-10 win.

“That’s the best defensive performance we’ve had since I’ve been at Calera,” he said. “(And) against a defense that is tough to stop.  That Notre Dame box, you never see it. I thought our guys did a tremendous job tonight.”

Tyes led Calera with 112 yards on 17 rushes with two touchdowns. Defensively, Lane Johnson had 17 tackles.

Calera will travel to Dadeville on Nov. 15 to take on the Tigers in the second round of the AHSAA Class 4A playoffs.