Rebels beat Cougars, win district championship

Published 12:58 am Saturday, October 25, 2014

Adams County Christian School’s Jordan Wells continues to run with the ball despite being tackled by three Brookhaven Academy defenders Friday. ACCS won the game 46-21.  (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Christian School’s Jordan Wells continues to run with the ball despite being tackled by three Brookhaven Academy defenders Friday. ACCS won the game 46-21. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

With a district championship up for grabs, the Adams County Christian School Rebels knew they would need to put up their best fight against Brookhaven Academy, who came in fighting for a playoff spot.

The Rebels did just that, routing the Cougars 46-21 and claiming the district championship for the second straight year.

“I’m happy for these boys and our school,” ACCS head coach David King said. “We’ve put together a good program here and this is the first step. We had a lofty goal back in August, but now we are 0-0, and there are 16 teams left. I hope our kids are mentally sharp and ready to roll.”

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The Rebels were ready to roll Friday, and stormed to a big early lead against the Cougars.

Lester Wells was the first Rebel to find the end zone after hauling in a 33-yard pass from Carlos Woods.

ACCS’ defense lit up the scoreboard later in the first quarter, when Wade Simpson intercepted a pass and took it back 70 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 13-0.

On the second play of the second quarter, the lead continued to grow with Torrey Smith rumbling in from 13 yards out.

Smith was the leading rusher on the night finishing with 129 yards on six carries.

“It feels amazing, a back-to-back championship with an amazing team,” Smith said. “We’ve worked hard and that is what we wanted.”

The rout would continue with Trey Fleming finding the end zone from seven yards out to push the lead to 26-0.

After Brookhaven Academy failed to field the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by ACCS, Chisum Mardis scampered in from 30 yards out to put the game out of reach at 32-0.

But the scoring was far from over. After forcing a three-and-out on Brookhaven’s next drive, Fleming returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown putting the Rebels up 39-0.

Things could have gotten worse with Fleming returning an interception 95 yards for a touchdown later in the half, but the play was called back after a penalty.

On the next play, Brookhaven Academy was able to find the end zone for the first time in the game with quarterback Heath Hickman finding Carter Culbertson from 8 yards out as the first half ended.

With a running clock in the second half, ACCS was able to get a look at some of its younger players. But on senior night, King allowed his older players one last offensive drive.

On that drive, Lester Wells capped the scoring for ACCS with a 54-yard touchdown run pushing the lead to 46-7.

Brookhaven Academy would add two late touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to threaten.

Now, ACCS will turn their attention to the playoffs, which King is considering a new season.

“Now we are 0-0,” he said. “No time to celebrate this one.”

ACCS will be playing at home next week, but their opponent is yet to be determined. Even though it is playoff time, King still worries about his team becoming complacent.

“I’m always worried about that,” he said. “That is my job, and that is what I get paid to do, to get kids ready to play ball and it is time now.”

The senior class had a big day as a whole with Smith, Fleming, Mardis and Wells all scoring touchdowns.

Junior Carlos Woods had a solid day, as well, completing 5-of-10 passes for 57 yards and a score.