By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

The Oct. 25 matchup between close-distanced and AHSAA Class 4A, Region 4 rivals Calera and Jemison had all the makings of a shootout as both squads came in with 7-1 records.

It was not to be, as Calera dismissed the Panthers, 52-14.

The Eagles opened the game with the ball, and took ten plays to score on a Stephen Ellison 32-yard field goal.

After holding Jemison to a three-and-out, which saw the Panthers face a 3rd and 38 after penalties, Calera put together a nine-play drive that ended when Ronnie Clark scored from eight yards out. Ellison’s kic after was good, and the Eagles led 10-0 with 5:41 left in the first.

Jemison appeared ready to pounce back into the game, but a fumble on the Calera 12 resulted in no points after a 72-yard drive.

Six plays later, Calera made the Panthers pay, as Clark again scored on the ground. Ellison was good again, and the Eagles held a 17-0 lead with 8:33 left in the half.

Jemison’s Kevin Nunn was intercepted by Tyler Harrell, which led to a Shakeith Tyes 10-yard touchdown run. The point after made the score 24-0 with 3:06 left in the second quarter.

Nunn was picked off again by Harrell, who returned it 80 yards for a score. At the end of the first half, Calera led 31-0.

Jemison got the ball to start off the second half, but was unable to move it. On the ensuing possession, Calera found the end zone again when Clark took his third rushing touchdown of the night in. The PAT made it 38-0 Calera with 7:22 to go in the third.

Calera scored again following a Jemison fumble, as Tyes broke for a 26-yard touchdown. The score was 45-0 after the kick.

Jemison got on the board on the next possession, when John Underwood scored from two yards out. He also took in the two-point try, making the  score 45-8 with 11:53 in the half.

Jemison score on their next possession when Nunn hit Justin Caudle for a 35-yard score. The two-point try was no good, and the score was 45-14.

The final score of the game came on the ensuing kickoff, as Tyes returned the kick for an 81-yard score, making it 52-14 in favor of the Eagles.

Head coach Wiley McKeller said he was pleased with his team’s effort, especially rebounding after the tough Bibb County loss.

“I think there was a lot of anxiousness with our kids about whether or not we could play with a good football team,” he said. “Tonight, we did. It’s all the motivation we need to here people say we can’t play with a good football team.”

McKeller also said he could tell tensions were high, given the rivalry of the two squads.

“It got sloppy,” he said. “There were some penalties that we’ve got to address and we will first thing Monday morning, because that’s not what we’re about. I realize the cross-town rivalry and the ‘I’ve known you since first grade’ back and forth, but that’s not what we do. We’ve got to get that fixed.”

The win moves Calera to 8-1 on the season and 6-1 in the region. The Eagles will finish the season Nov. 1 on the road at Chilton County.