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The Calera Eagles started out the Scott Rials era with a back-and-forth first half with Northridge, but 23 unanswered points from the Jags proved to be too much to overcome as the Eagles fell short. (For the Reporter/Jeremy Raines)

By SETH HAGAN | Special to the Reporter

CALERA– The Calera Eagles had a tough start to their 2024 football season as they welcomed the Northridge Jaguars for their Week 1 matchup.

The two teams combined for an entertaining first half, but Northridge put together big drives in the second half to burn the clock and leave the hometown Eagles just short in a 30-27 loss Friday, August 23.

After the Eagles began the game with a three-and-out on offense, the Jaguars took advantage of a short punt and good field position.

Two big chunk plays of 25 and 18 yards put Northridge inside the 10-yard line, and two plays later, Jaylin McCray punched his way into the end zone for a 7-0 lead three minutes into the game.

Calera (0-1) put together a great response to the score and bullied its way into the red zone in just five plays as quarterback AJ Johnson hit Cameron Hagler for 49 yards to the 8-yard line.

Johnson crashed into the end zone moments later from one yard out to tie the game 7-7.

The Eagles defense stuffed Northridge on their next possession and the offense put together their longest drive next.

A roughing the kicker penalty bailed out Calera four plays into the drive and made the Jaguars pay with an impressive mix of run and pass plays.

It would be senior running back Demetrius Davis who punctuated the drive on its 14th play with a 1-yard touchdown rumble one minute into the second quarter to go up 14-7.

Facing its first deficit, Northridge reacted with urgency and scored the game’s next 23 points, including a 34-yard touchdown pass with 50 seconds to go before halftime. The Jaguars defense also held Calera to just nine plays on offense the rest of the second quarter.

Calera recovered a fumble on Northridge’s first drive, but couldn’t take advantage as a holding penalty stifled their offensive possession.

The Jaguars then proceeded to take a 19-play drive that would consume the remainder of the third quarter. A 1-yard touchdown run seven seconds into the fourth quarter gave them a 30-14 advantage, but Calera was still in the ball game.

The Eagles did exactly what they had to marching another 80-yard drive in eight plays. Johnson found Hagler again on a deep 34-yard bomb to put their team squarely in the red zone and Demetrius Davis punched in a 10-yard touchdown scamper on the next play.

Calera’s two-point attempt was stopped short, however, leaving them with a 30-20 deficit and 9:26 left in the game.

Northridge wasn’t in the mood for a comeback and again used the run game to grind the game clock down on their next drive.

After a kick return got them back to midfield, the Jags slowly chipped their way back inside the Calera 10-yard line. A run on second and goal could’ve sealed the game, but the Eagles defense managed to rip the ball away and take possession back.

Calera continued to battle with precious little time left. Strong runs and a 25-yard completion to KD Young put them in position for Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run with 1:48 to go.

The Eagles’ final chance was snuffed out on the ensuing onside kick as Northridge recovered and completed a first down to run out the rest of the clock.

Calera was led by quarterback AJ Johnson with 245 yards on 16-27 passing with two touchdowns, while Hagler led the way as the top target thanks to 117 receiving yards.

Calera will head out on the road to take on Central-Tuscaloosa next Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.

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