Neal Embry/For the Reporter

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo Bulldogs undefeated streak came to a heartbreaking end Friday night, Oct. 9, at home to the Bibb County Choctaws.

The Choctaws (5-3, 4-0 in 4A, Region 4 play) overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired to hand Montevallo (7-1, 3-1 4A, Region 4) their first loss of the season.

After the Bulldogs punted on their first drive, the Choctaws manufactured a 76-yard drive and appeared to be on their way to scoring before the Montevallo defense came up with a big stop on third down and forced a field goal attempt, which the Choctaws missed.

On the next Montevallo drive, Kerry Mack ran 86 yards into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. Mack finished with over 100 yards on the night, but also lost two fumbles.

The Choctaws tied the game right before halftime on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Hiott to Will Moore.

Not to be outdone, the Bulldogs answered behind the arm of Zac Oden, who found Ahmad Edwards for a 19-yard touchdown to put Montevallo ahead 14-7 at halftime.

The second half saw Montevallo’s defense implode, giving up big plays to Hiott and running back Markis Leverette. The teams traded turnovers to start the half, before Montevallo took a 14-point lead on another Oden to Edwards score.

The lead was not to last, though, as the Choctaws began to push past the Bulldog defense.

Hiott found D’Angelo Thompson for a 41-yard touchdown to bring Bibb County within seven, and, following a Montevallo turnover, Leverette tied the game with a four-yard touchdown run.

Montevallo was unable to score on their next drive, and the Choctaws took over with seven minutes left at their own nine-yard line.

The Choctaws balanced offensive attack kept the defense guessing as Bibb County eventually made it into field goal range. Kicker Alejandro Robles’ 39-yard attempt with four seconds left was never in question, sailing through the uprights.

“We had too many turnovers, too many mistakes,” Montevallo head coach Andrew Zow said. “Everyone has a job to do, and tonight we didn’t do it. My job now is to go back and build them back up.”

Montevallo travels to face unbeaten Northside Friday, Oct. 23.