ACCS prevails over Columbia Academy

Published 12:50 am Saturday, October 3, 2015

COLUMBIA — With a cross-town clash against Cathedral looming, the Adams County Christian School Rebels had one last test to pass if they wanted to head into the game undefeated — Columbia Academy.

The Rebels managed to escape the road test with a 28-27 win and improved to 7-0.

“It was as close as the score indicates,” ACCS assistant coach Matthew Freeman said. “They did everything they had to to beat us. They had a good ball club. They ran the ball and passed well, which we weren’t really expecting, but our players made plays when it counted.”

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Carlos Woods led the offensive charge for ACCS, completing 13 of his 16 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns.

Woods tossed a touchdown to George Scott in the second quarter, a touchdown to Richard Conn in the fourth and also a touchdown to Shavarick Williams in the fourth to put ACCS in position to win the game.

However, it was the Rebel defense that sealed the win.

After allowing a touchdown late in the fourth, Columbia Academy elected to go for two points, down 28-27. The Cougars drew the Rebels offsides, moving the ball half the distance to the goal line.

But it wouldn’t help. ACCS stuffed the attempted run to protect the 28-27 lead.

Columbia Academy would recover the ensuing onside kick, though, and find themselves in business as the clock wound down.

After moving all the way to the ACCS 26-yard line, the Cougars were forced to attempt a field goal to win the game.

With a fierce rush, the Rebels were able to block the kick as time expired and secure the win.

“The defense bent, but made plays to win the game,” Freeman said. “At halftime I thought, we may need a game like this going into next week. To be able to play a game with this much pressure and to get this experience leading up to the game next week is good for us.”

The Rebels had three players with double-digit tackles in the win. Besides catching a touchdown, Richard Conn finished with 11 tackles, Chris Smotherman added 14 tackles and an interception and Chisum Mardis led the surge with 16 tackles.