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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Chilton County High School got its first Class 6A win since rejoining the classification in 2020 with a 37-3 thumping of Calera High School on the school’s homecoming night on Sept. 22.

As the Tigers sat in a familiar position up 21-3 at halftime, the message to the team from head coach Marvin Morton was simple — finish.

“I told the guys ‘This is your opportunity once again to prove people wrong,’” Morton said. “It comes down to executing the game plan and not making mistakes. The guys really took hold of it and we got the dominating win that we wanted.”

The Tigers did finish, as quarterback Logan Coppedge had two second half touchdown passes, one each to Jordan Simon and Hunter Ousley, to boost CCHS in the second half. Kicker Jorge Castillo also converted a 32-yard field goal in the half to extend the lead.

Coppedge was 20-for-28 for 163 yards and three touchdowns.

“Our offensive line played phenomenal tonight and they allowed us to be flexible with what we called,” Morton said. “Logan Coppedge probably played his best game of the season and made plays when needed. The execution from the offense was great … These guys are growing in front of our eyes, and I am excited about it.”

Calera could not get anything going on offense in the game as CCHS forced five Calera turnovers in the game. Justin Godwin pulled down two interceptions while D.J. Caffey and Demarcus Riddick snagged one each. Sawyer Barrington recovered a fumble for the Tigers.

Caffey led the Tigers with 13 tackles and a sack.

Calera stifled the Tigers opening drive after advancing into Eagles territory. On the ensuing Calera drive, Riddick picked off quarterback Antorious Johnson and returned it 35 yards for the touchdown to put the Tigers up 7-0 early.

CCHS halted the next Eagles drive with an interception, this time by Godwin inside the Tigers five-yard line to preserve the 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

D.J. Jackson doubled the CCHS lead with a nine-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. Jackson ran for 78 yards on 14 carries.

Later in the quarter, Calera’s T.J. Hernandez converted a 27-yard field goal to get the eagles on the board at 14-3.

The Tigers defense continued to keep Johnson and Calera offense out of sync with their third interception of the first half with two minutes left in the quarter by Caffey. With the ball at midfield, CCHS coach Marvin Morton got into his bags of tricks and busted out the wide receiver pass. Luke Moates found Marco Simon for a huge gain down to the three-yard line where Jackson punched in his second touchdown run of the night from three yards out.

“I am so proud of the whole team. We have faced some adversity the last two weeks, and these guys keep showing up ready to work,” Morton said. “The fight was there, and it was a complete game tonight … I am super proud of these young men tonight, and I told them this could be the turning point of the season.”

Chilton County (2-3) travels to Tallassee High School on Sept. 29 for their next matchup outside of region play. Calera (0-5) is on bye next week.