READY FOR STATE: ACCS community rallies around state bound football team

Published 12:04 am Friday, November 21, 2014

Adams County Christian School football team defensive coordinator Richy Spears mimics the dance moves of football player Torrey Smith after players willed Spears out of the stands to dance during a pep rally Thursday before ACCS’s state championship game against Centreville Academy today. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Christian School football team defensive coordinator Richy Spears mimics the dance moves of football player Torrey Smith after players willed Spears out of the stands to dance during a pep rally Thursday before ACCS’s state championship game against Centreville Academy today. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

There was a buzz in the air at Adams County Christian School Thursday night, and it was a buzz that hadn’t been around since 1982.

Now, after 13 games and months of practice, the ACCS season will come to an end today with a matchup against Centreville in the MAIS AA State Championship game. It is the first time the Rebels have played for a title since the 1982 season.

“This is one of the biggest games in school history and it means a lot to a lot of people,” ACCS senior football player Tyler Stockstill said.

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And now, those people that this game means so much to, are coming back in support of the Rebels on their quest for the title.

“We still have alumni that played on that team (1982) that are coming back and their kids go here,” said assistant coach and former ACCS player Kevin Campbell. “I had three former alumni text me Friday saying congratulations and how this makes them feel great to know that the school is at this point again. It is nice to see the new-found enthusiasm they have.”

The student body is also adding to the hype, as a packed gymnasium cheered on the Rebels in a pep rally Thursday.

“It is awesome,” Stockstill said of the support. “The fans have grown just as much as we’ve grown. We can just tell the AC community is behind us 100 percent and it means a lot.”

Some other people the game means a lot to are the ACCS cheerleaders, who have been with the Rebels all year on their journey.

“It is really exciting,” said cheerleading captain and senior Brooke Allen. “This is my last year and the first time they’ve been to state since 1982, and I’m glad they were able to do that my senior year and I am able to cheer them on.”

More importantly, today’s game will be the last time some in the senior class will buckle their chinstraps, and the reality has set in.

“It is kind of upsetting, but knowing you’re playing for a state championship, in the biggest game of your life, it’s a better feeling,” senior John Nix said. “And it will be a lot better to come out with a win.”

ACCS and Centreville will kickoff today at 1 p.m. at Mississippi College in Clinton.