Brad Abbott has never been so worn out as he was after his Panthers defeated Calera 21-19.

“I’m exhausted and I didn’t even play a down,” the Jemison coach said.

The reason why is that Jemison couldn’t put away the pesky Eagles. Jemison scored first on an 8-yard throw by Eric Argo to Jesse Taylor. Bronson Langston tacked on the extra point.

After Jemison’s Terrance Taylor intercepted a pass, Calera’s Zach Isbell intercepted an Argo pass and returned it 91 yards for a touchdown. The kick failed leaving Jemison up 7-6.

Calera (1-2) took the lead on a Kendal Cox 4-yard touchdown making it 12-7.

Jemison (3-0) retook the lead at 14-12 just before half on Argo’s 25-yard pass to Taylor.

Jemison added much-needed insurance on Argo’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Sims.

Calera ditched the spread attack and ran it down the field with Cox, who scored from 23 yards out on fourth down. The extra point pulled the Eagles within two points.

Calera’s final threat was ended when Jemison’s Jacob Chapman recovered a fumble.