The Calera Eagles suffered their first defeat of the season this past Friday night, falling to Montgomery Academy 33-21 before a home crowd.

Turnovers proved to be the difference in this contest. The Eagles suffered three interceptions and lost three of four fumbles at the hands of a visiting bunch of Eagles.

Calera head football coach Mac Thompson said his team was not focused and needed to be better prepared.

But with all those turnovers, the Eagles still managed 286 yards of offense. And while being put in some &8220;hard spots,&8221; according to Thompson, his defense still played well. They held Montgomery Academy to 268 yards total offense.

The home standing Eagles trailed 10-7 at the half and 20-7 through three quarters of play. But the Eagles rallied to outscore their opponents 14-13 in the fourth quarter. It was too late, however, as Calera fell from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Scoring for Calera was Dominique Wilson on a 24 yard run and a 13 yard run and Chris Cunningham on a brilliant 86-yard kick return.

The loss drops the 3A Eagles to 6-1, 4-1 with a region match against cross county rival, or shall we say neighbor, Montevallo on the road this Friday night.

Thompson said Montevallo has done a good job this season and is still fighting for a playoff spot.

Despite the fact that Calera is safe as far as the playoffs, the rivalry between the Eagles and Dawgs of Montevallo has been described as intense as it gets to high school football.

Both 3A schools are in the same region, with Montevallo and Calera standing around eight miles apart