NATCHEZ — A long, tough season ended with a night of joy for the Adams County Christian School football team, and its seven seniors.

The Rebels captured their second win of the season by edging Columbia Academy 22-21 in a District 5-AA match-up.

The Rebels trailed 7-0 at the half but found plenty of offense in the second half and rallied for the come-from-behind win on senior night.

“Every senior night you want to watch them win,” head coach Hunter McKeivier said. “I’ve seen these seniors since eighth grade, I’ve watched these kids grow up, so it was a really emotional night for me.

“Their leadership really showed up in the last game. I was really proud how they put the game on their shoulders and put the team on their backs. They were determined not to have a let-down.”

Although the win was just the Rebels second this season, McKeivier said he thinks it could provide momentum for next year.

“When you end with a win, you end one legacy with the seniors, but you start another one with the next group,” he said. “We just have to get these guys better, stronger and faster and have them understand their jobs on the line, and start to get prepared for next year and teach them what it will take to be successful. We’re looking for good things next year, we just have to work hard in the off months.”

ACCS finished its season 2-9 overall and 1-2 in district play.

Brandon 45, Natchez 24

The Natchez High School football team saw its postseason hopes dwindle Friday night with a 45-24 loss to Brandon in a Region 3-6A contest.

The Bulldogs’ offense had struggled for much of region play, but it was the defense that had trouble against Brandon.

Natchez’s defense gave up 478 yards and 36 first downs in the game.

“They’re much bigger than us, for one thing,” Natchez coach Lance Reed said. “They’re a big team, and we played with a lot of heart, and we’re not as big, but we have to get off the field. We have to do the right things up front to get off the field, and they played with a great tempo. Give them all the credit in the world.”

The loss dropped Natchez to 6-4 on the year and 2-4 in region play.

Cathedral 55, Hinds AHS 34

Coming off its first loss of the season to Dexter, the Cathedral football team found a way to respond Friday night in a 55-34 win over Hinds Agricultural High School.

The Green Wave fell behind early, but rallied for 37-straight points to get the victory.

“It was a big win to come back from last week’s loss and try to get momentum going into the playoffs,” Cathedral coach Ron Rushing said.

Rushing said he was proud to see his team show resiliency in bouncing back from a loss and recovering from an early deficit against Hinds AHS.

“That’s what we talked about at half,” he said. “We dropped down quick, and everybody pulled together. We talked about falling behind but having what it takes to come back.”

The win puts the Green Wave one step closer to securing a Region 4-1A title, Rushing said.

“If we win next week, we are region champs for the second-straight year,” he said.

Cathedral will host University Christian Friday.