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The Adams County Christian School football team huddles together in celebration after their winning the MAIS Class AAA State Championship Saturday at Jackson Academy. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

The Adams County Christian School football team huddles together in celebration after their winning the MAIS Class AAA State Championship Saturday at Jackson Academy. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

By Brandon Shields

Special to the Democrat

JACKSON — The 36-year drought is over.

After a season that dealt with adversity with forfeiting of its first seven games due to an ineligible player and having to win out to get in the playoffs, No. 14 seed Adams County Christian School would use a big second quarter to get past No. 1 seed Indianola Academy 29-17 to cap what should have been an undefeated season and claim the MAIS Class AAA State Championship at Jackson Academy on Saturday night.

It is the second state title in school history for the Rebels (6-7) and their first since 1982.

“We were able to capitalize on some mistakes and these boys were so hungry after what happened to us Week 7 and a team just on an unusual mission,” Adams County Christian School head coach David King said. “(Jakarius) Caston is the real deal and he was a absolute pleasure to coach and he will play some college football somewhere.”

All of the scoring took place in the first half.

Indianola Academy struck first on a 30-yard field goal by Spencer Roberson to take a 3-0 lead with 6:36 left in the first quarter.
ACCS would respond on a 3-yard touchdown run by Caston with 50 seconds left in the opening period to take a 7-3 lead.

The Colonels would then retake lead at 10-7 on a 49-yard touchdown run by Wesley Lester.
Indianola Academy would then extend the lead to 17-7 on a halfback pass from Lester to Randy Kimble from 26 yards out with 11:54 left in the second quarter.

After that it was all Rebels.

Sterling Yarbrough would hit Paul Cupstid on a 35-yard touchdown pass to cut the Indianola Academy lead to 17-13 with 6:49 left in the second quarter.

Following an interception, Caston would scamper into the end zone from 7 yards out to give ACCS their first lead of the game at 21-17 with 3:46 left.

D.J. Stampley would then add a 5-yard touchdown run with 3:21 left in the first half to extend the Rebel lead to 29-17.

“When you get to this point you want to finish the deal and the things we had to go through,” King said. “I’m so happy for my school and my alma mater. I’ve been coaching for a long time and at the end of the day it was just a great night for Natchez.”

Caston would finish the night with 78 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns.
For Caston and quarterback Sterling Yarbrough, after being at Trinity Episcopal last year, losing in the Class A state title game in overtime and the school closing back in May, it was a lot to overcome.

“It’s different being at a new school. It was hard coming in having to learn a whole new offense and after those first couple games we had to fight and win every single game,” Caston said. “Tonight, offensively we needed to step when we needed too. Ending on a winning season and a state title is great.”

Yarbrough would finish the night 10-of-11 for 86 yards with a touchdown.

“It was just a team effort tonight and we got it done. We kept fighting and defense played great and that’s what won the game for us,” Yarbrough said. “It was difficult losing Trinity, but ACCS brought me and Jarakius in as family and it was a good transfer. We had to prove a point after what has happened to us this year and prove a point and win a state championship and did it my senior year is just great.”

Lester would have 84 yards rushing on 13 carries with a touchdown to lead Indianola Academy (12-2), who was in the MAIS Class AAA state title game for the fourth year in a row.

“I thought it was a great game and ACCS was a very good and very talented team. Physical up front and speed everywhere,” said Indianola Academy coach Tommy Nester. “Can’t make mistakes and turn the ball over like we did against a good team like that and expect to win.”

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