NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School simply wasn’t going to allow itself to lose on senior night.

After going scoreless in the first half, the Rebels tallied 22 points and got six first downs in the fourth quarter to edge district opponent Columbia Academy 22-21 in ACCS’s final game of the season.

ACCS head coach Hunter McKeivier said he challenged his team, specifically his seniors, to make sure their last game of the year would end on a high note.

“I told them you have 24 minutes for the rest of your lives,” McKeivier said. “I was mostly talking to my seniors. It was some thing they could talk about (if they won). I said that we were right there, and we just have to get going.”

After trailing 7-0 in the first half, the Rebels cut the score to 7-6 on a 1-yard run by senior Christopher Perry. Lester Wells added a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and ran the two-point conversion to give the Rebels a 14-7 lead.

Then, the Rebels had to overcome a bit more adversity in order to give their seniors a parting gift, McKeivier said.

“(Columbia) came in and scored, then got an onside kick and scored again (to take a 21-14 lead),” McKeivier said.

“Our guys didn’t panic, though. They got the ball, drove the length of the field and scored.”

That score came with approximately seven minutes left in the game, when senior quarterback Johnny Smith ran in from 1 yard out. The Rebels opted to go for two, and Wells scored to give them a 22-21 edge.

“It’s a testament to our kids’ heart and character,” McKeivier said. “I knew we could get 3 yards, and on senior night, that’s what we were going for, the win.”

Wells led in rushing with 81 yards and a touchdown. Perry had 56 yards, and Smith tallied 16 yards. Smith was 1-for-6 in passing with 31 yards, and Wells was 1-for-1 for 31 yards.

ACCS finished the season 2-9 on the year, 1-2 in district play.