By CHRIS MEGGINSON / For the Reporter

CENTREVILLE – Fourth-ranked Montevallo spoiled Bibb County’s centennial celebration Friday night, 37-27, and improved to 5-0 with the Bulldogs’ first win over the Choctaws since 2004 and first win at Bibb County since 1999.

The win avenged a 24-21 loss to Bibb County last season, which snapped a 7-0 start for the Bulldogs.

“Every week we’re trying to correct the mistakes and get better at what we do. There was definitely some motivation to win the rival game,” said Montevallo head coach Brandon Wilcox. “We don’t have to encourage them very much to get up and play Bibb County. They had a good crowd tonight and an electric atmosphere. It’s what high school football should be.”

Bibb County’s Corwaski Dukes broke an 86-yard run for a touchdown and 6-0 lead with 4:43 to play in the first quarter, but Montevallo responded with 20 straight points.

Zac Oden connected with Tre’Shawn Brown for a 42-yard touchdown pass to take the lead, 7-6, and then followed with a 66-yard TD pass to Daqwan Bryant to make it 14-6 with 6:38 to play in the first half. Bryant finished the night with a team-best 123 yards on six catches. Brown had five catches for 78 yards.

The Bulldogs turned back-to-back turnovers by Bibb County into field goals from 19 and 21 yards out by Diego Martinez.

Bibb County closed the gap within seven, 20-13, with a 12-yard touchdown pass with 2:45 left in the half.

“In the second quarter our defense caused multiple turnovers and gave our offense a short field. Diego did a real good job executing and those points paid dividends in the end,” Wilcox said. “I thought our defense played real well. The kids played real hard.”

Dukes tied the game for the Choctaws, 20-20, with a 12-yard run early in the second half, but Jay Sullen caught a touchdown pass to put Montevallo back in front, 27-20. Bibb County tied it again, 27-27, this time on a reverse with 9:24 to play in the game.

Montevallo finished the fourth quarter with the eventual winning touchdown catch by TaVarius Holman on a 35-yard screen pass with 4:21 to play and added a 14-yard field goal. Martinez finished the night 3-for-4 on field goals and 4-for-4 on PATs.

“I feel we’ve got one of the better strength and conditioning programs in the state. Our kids looked at themselves and said it’s time to take over this ball game and they did a good job with that,” Wilcox said.

Oden racked up 400 yards of total offense in the win, including 23-of-40 passing for 293 yards and 17 rushes for 107 yards.

Tyler Olds led the Bulldogs’ defense with 13 tackles and a recovered fumble, while Jackson Hughes had nine tackles and an interception. Bryant had 10 tackles.

Montevallo (5-0) will travel to Greene County (3-2) on Sept. 30 for a Class 3A, Region 4 matchup.