NATCHEZ — Julian Wilson took a shotgun snap from center and raced up the middle. The Adams County Christian School standout stopped in the hole before darting outside and scampered down the sideline for a 16-yard gain.

The big gainer was just one of a slew of nifty runs from Wilson as he helped ACCS tie Oak Forest Academy 6-6 in spring football action Wednesday at ACCS.

Wilson finished the game with seven carries for approximately 40 yards.

“Julian is a good athlete who has bought in and has worked hard,” ACCS coach David King said.

All drives started on the opponent’s 45-yard line with each offense running approximately 10 plays each series. Neither side attempted a field goal or an extra point.

King said he felt his squad rose to the challenge of facing a larger school — Oak Forest plays in the MAIS AAAA division, while ACCS is an MAIS AAA school.

“That’s the AAAA state runner-up with a lot of players returning,” King said. “That team will test you, but I was very pleased defensively.”

Both teams sputtered offensively in the early going, with Oak Forest scoring the first points of the game on its fourth drive — a 7-yard touchdown pass to running back Dalton Brabham.

The Rebels managed to limit the Yellowjackets to just 96 yards on 34 carries.

“I’ve known Dalton (Brabham) since he was a baby, and he’s a man already,” King said. “I saw some physicality — to meet a 250-pound back (in the hole), we had a couple guys that wanted to jump in there with him.”

Following Oak Forest’s touchdown, ACCS responded with its lone score of the game.

The Rebels went 45 yards on six plays and capped the drive off with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Davis Sharp to George Scott.

“We had to get a good rhythm going,” Scott said. “We have a new quarterback, so we have to get on the same page, and we’re still working on that. We’re just going to continue to work hard on it, and maybe it’ll come out well to start the season.”

Scott later added a 30-yard reception from backup quarterback Devin Gray.

“We came out and played well as a team,” Scott said. “It was real competitive. We practice hard, and we tried to bring that same effort (Wednesday).”

While the ACCS offense didn’t quite perform to the level of King’s expectations, the grizzled coach said he still likes its long-term outlook.

“We lost a lot of good weapons from last year’s team,” King said. “But it looks like we have the potential to be a pretty good football team.

“I feel like this is going to be a good physical ball club — this is going to be a defensive, special teams and run the ball team. I kind of like our chances with this team.”

With the spring season in the books, King said the focus of the now team now shifts to the weight room in preparation for the upcoming season.

“We’ve got to get some younger kids in better shape,” King said. “I like this ball club, and I like their mental outlook — they’re tough and physical. If you’re physical every game, then you have a chance, and so I am excited about that.”