ACCS deals with playoff loss, Trinity prepares for state semifinals
Published 12:07 am Monday, November 11, 2013
By Reina Kempt & Michael Kerekes
The Natchez Democrat
NATCHEZ — The Adams County Christian School Rebels are still healing from their devastating loss to Glenbrook High School in the second round of the playoffs.
Several seniors refused to leave the field as it finally became real to them that when they stepped off that field, it would be for good.
Senior Brandon Ross was one of many Rebels who left the field with the realization it was their last game.
Despite the 30-21 loss including two interceptions and a fumble, the Rebels’ defense played considerably well with multiple players with double-figure hits.
Ross and Matthew Rymer led the defense with 14 tackles each, Chisum Mardis added 13 tackles and Brandt Pugh had 10.
Ross said he believes his team gave the best effort they had all season.
“It was the best I’ve ever seen us,” he said. “We didn’t give up, we kept our heads up but it just didn’t work in our favor.”
The Rebels had a tough offense to go against, led by quarterback Regan Edwards, who completed 25 of 35 passes for 345 yards, and wide receiver Arthur Norton, who caught 11 of those passes for 165 yards.
Ross gave his respect to Glenbrook for running such a tight ship.
“They did their job and they played perfect and just beat us right,” Ross said.
With the end of his and many seniors’ high school football careers coming to a sudden halt Friday, Ross reflected on their season and how proud he is of the history they made. The Rebels hosted their first two home playoff games and won a district title for the first time in 31 years.
“We had a great season,” Ross said. “I did the best I could to the best of my ability. I hate that it ended like this, but it was meant to end like this.”
Trinity Episcopal
Trinity Episcopal Day School players and coaches were a bit irked about the officiating they saw Friday night against Newton County Academy.
Following a 51-7 win in the second round of the MAIS Class A playoffs, Saints head coach Josh Loy said he wasn’t happy that two of his players — Connor Pressgrove and Wyatt Boothe — were tossed from the game following personal foul penalties.
But Loy didn’t specifically discuss officiating in the game, opting instead to invoke the Saints fanbase’s observation skills.
“I think anybody that was here (Friday can speak to that) better than I can,” Loy said.
Trinity was flagged for five personal fouls, while Newton County Academy was penalized for three. Generals head coach Rob Roberts opted not to discuss officiating or the numerous personal fouls.
“I’m not going to say anything,” Roberts said. “It was just the heat of the moment.”
At least one Saints player, however, said he thought officials were unfairly singling out Trinity players during the course of action.
“They’d hit me after the whistle, and they wouldn’t blow it on them, but if we even touched them after the whistle, they’d blow it on us,” senior left guard Tucker Lewis said.
The Saints were flagged eight times total for minus-100 yards, while Newton County Academy was flagged three times for minus-45 yards.
The Saints were able to take advantage of five general turnovers, which has been a familiar story for Trinity this season.
“That’s what we’ve fed off of all year: our defensive stops, our turnovers, getting the ball back to our offense, and that’s when we really get the ball rolling and get cranked up,” Loy said.
Trinity (11-0) will host Cenla Christian Academy in the state semifinals Friday. Cenla lost to Trinity 44-34 in Week 1, but 34 points is the most any opponent has scored on the Saints so far this year.