1 of 5

Calera got the job done on the road, beating Chilton County 41-16. (For the Reporter/Brandon Sumrall)

Thanks to Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union for supporting our football coverage this season.

By SCOTT MIMS | Special to the Reporter

CLANTON – The first half between the Chilton County Tigers and the Calera Eagles on Oct. 10 was close, but the Eagles started to soar in the third quarter, pulling away from the Tigers with a 41-16 victory.

“We didn’t have a great first half, but we were really resilient,” said Calera coach Scott Rials, adding that he wants to focus on consistency. “We came out and had a strong second half. We play in a very tough region, and getting a region win is big, and just getting a win period.”

Chilton County coach Merritt Bowden said he was proud of the way his team played, especially in the first half, but the Tigers’ defense struggled to hold back the Eagles in the third quarter.

“We established the run early, which is what we really try to do,” Bowden said. “We really struggled in tackling in the second half; open field tackling out in the perimeter. We have to make those teams put together long drives, and we just weren’t able to do that tonight.”

Chilton County was first to score on a run by Logan Coppedge in the mid-first quarter. The two-point conversion put the Tigers ahead by eight, but Calera’s Jordan Henderson responded with a 50-yard dash to the end zone.

With 6:36 remaining in the second quarter, Henderson took it 70 yards down the field to put the Eagles up 14-8. Then, Calera landed a punt at the CCHS 1-yard line with just 2:52 on the clock.

The Tigers were not able to answer before time ran out, and the score was 14-8 going into the halftime break.

The third quarter was almost all Calera. Xzavier Boone scored on a play from the CCHS 34-yard line, and shortly after, Calera recovered a Tiger fumble at the CCHS 23, setting up Jordan Ward for a quarterback sneak into the end zone.

Then, Calvin Moore hauled in a pass from the 41-yard line, putting the Eagles up 34-8 with 5:30 left in the third quarter.

Chilton County did score again on a long run from Kaleb Yarenko, this time from 59 yards out. The conversion helped the Tigers to double their points, resulting in a 34-16 score.

Ward raised the bar once again for Calera as he scored on a 10-yard run with exactly 4 minutes left in the third. The PAT would cement what would become the final score of the evening.

Chilton County recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter, but that quarter saw no points on either side of the ball.

Calera will host Spain Park on Oct. 17, while Chilton County has a bye week. Then CCHS will travel to face Spain Park on Oct. 24.

More Calera High

Locals secure All-State honors at cross-country state championship, Westminster boys finish second

Shelby County Football Show: Playoffs Round 1 (2025)

Calera Eagles aim to build on success of 2024-2025 with another playoff run

Five Shelby County locals win sectional cross-country championships