By JOSH ETHRIDGE/For the Reporter

CALERA — The Calera High School Eagles and Bibb County High Choctaws faced off in high school football action Friday, Aug. 9. The game was the Eagles’ first game playing in the 5A classification. Their inaugural game was a success as they defeated the Choctaws 28-8.

The Bibb County offense took the field first but they weren’t able to get things rolling and were held to a three-and-out.

After the Choctaw punt Calera started their first drive on the Bibb County 31-yard-line. On the first two offensive plays the snap was mishandled. The second snap sailed into the end zone resulting in a safety. The Eagles trailed early 2-0.

Later in the first quarter the Choctaws mishandled a snap again and the Eagles pounced on it, setting them up on the Bibb County 42-yard line. Calera lined up in a two running back set and ran seven straight running plays until they found the end zone for the first time. The score came from six yards out by running back Kyle Harrell. The Eagles led 7-2 with 3 minutes left in the first quarter.

A couple drives later Calera continued their success running the ball, as they carried the ball 58-yards on five runs. As they set up for a play inside the ten-yard line, a mishandled snap led to a fumble recovery by the Choctaws.

After another three-and-out by Bibb County, Calera orchestrated another long drive, as they continued to run right at the Choctaws. However, the drive stalled out at the 15 and an attempted 32-yard field goal bounced off the left upright. The score remained 7-2 with six minutes left in the half.

The Eagles quickly added two more scores before halftime.  On the first score quarterback Christopher Driver appeared to be in trouble but he escaped for a 13-yard touchdown run. The next score followed a Choctaw fumble as running back ShaKeith Tyes ran in the ball from four yards out, making the score 20-2 going into the half.

Bibb County’s offense was finally able to get on the board with 5 minutes left in the game on a 31-yard touchdown pass. After a failed extra point the score remained 28-8 until the end of regulation.

“We made a lot of mistakes, a lot of dropped snaps, which is not characteristic of Calera football,” said head coach Wiley McKeller following the Eagle win. “In the end I think our seniors led and we played very, very physical football and that was the difference.”

The Eagles host Demopolis High on Sept. 5.