MENDENHALL &045; The weather reports threatened to take Adams Christian head coach Gill Morris back a season.

It was one year ago the Rebels, then playing in Class AAA, started their series against Jackson Prep in bizarre fashion. With the game tied in the sixth inning, rain ended the opener between the Rebels and the Patriots.

More than a week and numerous rain showers later, coaches and officials decided to replay the game as part of a doubleheader.

And it looked like it might happen again. Monday’s weather reports were ominous with possible thunderstorms predicted for much of central and south Mississippi in the evening.

&uot;(Simpson) Coach (Neill) Bartling told me today that this field could handle a little weather, so I wasn’t too worried,&uot; Morris said. &uot;In fact, it did rain here some this morning, but that probably just made the field play a little better. It’s been so dry it probably softened things up some. Our field should be in great shape for tomorrow.&uot;

But much to Morris and the Rebels’ relief, history did not repeat itself. The weather cooperated, holding off long enough to complete the game and it looks like the weather will be nice for the rest of the week as well.

&uot;I hope we don’t go through anything like that again,&uot; Morris said. &uot;They said the rain will be through after today, so hopefully we won’t have any trouble finishing this things up.&uot;

Unfortunately for the Rebels, the ultimate result was the same. ACCS opened a state championship for the second consecutive year with a loss. This time the Rebels will go home for the second game of the series.

Of course, there was another major difference between this year and last year &045; ACCS moved down to Class AA. Not that it necessarily made all that much difference in the level of competition Tuesday.

Morris said he believes the competition level in AA is as good as in AAA.

&uot;I think if you take away Central Private, who’s got the best team easily, we could battle with anyone in AAA,&uot; Morris said. &uot;We beat Parklane three times this season. I don’t think AAA is better than AA. Take Prairie View and Columbia. Both those teams swing the bat as well as anyone.&uot;