By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

CALERA — It had all the makings of a trap game: homecoming, Ronnie Clark’s commitment press conference earlier in the day and a huge matchup with Bibb County looming the following week all served as potential distractions for the Calera Eagles’ matchup with Carbon Hill Oct. 4.

If the Eagles were distracted, they sure didn’t show it, throttling the Bulldogs 83-6.

The game was never in doubt, as the Eagles took three plays on the opening drive to score when Jordan Bishop ran in from 32 yards out to take a 7-0 lead after Stephen Ellison’s extra point.

The next Calera drive took two plays, as Clark hit Bishop on a 25-yard pass for a score. Ellison was on the mark again, and the Eagles led 14-0.

Another drive led to another score, this time when Clark ran it in from 1-yard out. The extra point made it 21-0.

Shakeith Tyes struck next with a 6-yard run, making it 28-0 with 2:37 left in the first quarter after the extra point.

Calera was able to squeeze in another touchdown before the end of the first quarter, as Clark hit Tyes for a 3-yard pass. Ellison made it 35-0 after the kick.

Special teams then got in on the act, as Tyler Harrell returned a Carbon Hill punt 55 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, and the Eagles led 41-0.

The second team then got reps, as Jaramy Dozier broke a 25-yard run for a score. Ellison was good, and the score grew to 55-0 with 4:11 left in the half.

Carbon Hill then scored on the subsequent drive to cut the lead to 55-6.

Calera responded with another score before the half to take a 62-6 lead at the end of the second.

In the second half, with the quarters shortened to six minutes a piece, Trez Harris scored two rushing touchdowns, while Trey Turnbow took a pick 65 yards for a touchdown to cap off an 83-6 win for Calera.

“There were a lot of distractions today,” said head coach Wiley McKeller. “I was surprised we handled it as well as we did, and took the mature approach and put these guys away early. I hate the score got the way it did, but we played everybody and all in all it was a good homecoming.”

Calera moves to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the region, and will take on undefeated Bibb County on the road Oct. 11.