By ERIC STARLING / Special to the Reporter

CALERA – The Calera Eagles were looking to put a “W” in the score column as they hosted the Choctaws from Bibb County, but watched the game slip away in the final quarter.  After leading 33-21 at the half, the Eagles allowed two Choctaw scores in the second half and fell 34-33.

The Eagle defense forced a three-and-out to start the contest and then with Bibb County attempting to gain a first down on fourth down, the defense held and gave the offense the ball at the Choctaws’ 29-yard line.

A 19-yard pass from Cornelius Brown to Wesley Head gave the Eagles a first and goal from the 1 yard line. Brown then took the snap and followed the line into the end zone for the first score of the game. Zachary Ford’s extra point gave the Eagles the 7-0 lead.

On their next possession, Brown again connected with his receivers and moved the ball effectively.  Brown connected with Quindarius Crews 10 yards down the sideline, and Crews gained 51 yards after the catch for a 61 yard touchdown play. A failed extra point attempt left the score at 13-0.

An interception by the Choctaws on the Eagles end of the field led to Bibb County’s first score of the game as the first quarter was winding down.

Calera then started at their own 25-yard line, and found themselves penalized twice after two big plays setting up a third and 18. Brown connected with Dallas Toles to move into Choctaw territory and then hooked up with William Ray for a 21-yard touchdown strike. Another Ford extra point, and the Eagles were up 20-7.

The Eagles’ next drive was 93 yards, capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Dylan Killingsworth. Another missed extra point, and the score was 26-7.

Three plays later, the Eagle defense forced and recovered a Choctaw fumble at the Bibb County 28-yard line. It took just two plays for Calera to put more points on the board. Brown ran for 12 yards, and then hit Dee Woodson for the score. Ford hit the extra point, and the Eagles led 33-7 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half.

Bibb County drove 65 yard and 82 yards on their next two possessions, scoring on both drives and closing the gap to 33-21 at the half.

The second half saw the Eagles’ defense cause two more Choctaw fumbles as well as breaking up a pass in the end zone to take over on downs. The offense however, could not move the ball in the second half as they had in the first, and some critical errors allowed for Bibb County to pull out the win.

A late third quarter interception by Bibb County allowed them to score their first touchdown of the second half on the first play of the fourth quarter. A 24-yard touchdown and extra point pulled them within five points at 33-28.

A partially blocked punt by the Choctaws and a 35-yard return set up the final score of the game as Bibb County started first-and-goal from the five. With 3:28 remaining, the Choctaws punched it in and failed on the two point conversion. Their defense was able to keep the Eagles from having another chance to score and Bibb County escaped with a 34-33 win.