There’s renewed enthusiasm at Adams County Christian School. And it doesn’t stop with the Rebel baseball team’s postseason success so far. ACCS&160;began spring football drills this week, looking forward to a new conference and new challenges.

The Rebels will compete in AAA after having to battle traditionally powerful Jackson teams the last several years.

&uot;The kids are more excited,&uot; said AC coach Bo Swilley. &uot;They know Centreville, Central Private and Silliman play good football, but they know they have a fighting chance. I’m not saying we didn’t in the past, but we’re looking at teams with the same enrollment we have. You’ll look on the other sideline and and instead of seeing 85, it may be 45. They won’t have the whole sideline covered, which can be demoralizing.&uot;

AC&160;completed its first week of drills, although Friday’s practice was cut short by thunderstorms.

Swilley is without a number of skilled players who are competing in the playoffs with the baseball team.

&uot;We’ve got a number of linemen and linebackers who are really doing some hitting,&uot;&160;Swilley said. &uot;These kids have really come along physically from last year. We had a good off season and the whole line moves better. We just look more athletic. Our drive blocking and explosion off the ball is much better.&uot;

AC&160;will host a scrimmage next Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bowling Green, Hillcrest, CHA and Tensas will compete.

&uot;We’ll all go 30 play series, 15 on offense and 15 on defense,&uot; Swilley said. &uot;It’s going to be a great night for football.&uot;

Swilley said he will use a lot of young players with the baseball playoffs still in process.

&uot;And we’re playing some people out of position, be we should field a team that will be able to compete. I’ve been real pleased with the kids. There’s not one out there who has taken a step backward. The kids are better athletically and they have a lot more enthusiasm. When we get the baseball team out there, we should have about 33 or 34.&uot;

AC&160;finished 3-7 last year.

&uot;We didn’t get the wins we deserved, but there wasn’t a game where we didn’t feel we didn’t have a chance to be in the ballgame. We had a new offense and defense and I thought the kids really handled it well. We had some inconsistencies. We moved the ball, we just didn’t put it in the end zone. We moved the ball better on Jackson Prep than anybody but Pillow, we just didn’t take advantage of our opportunities.&uot;