Chambers Academy Rebels win 10th consecutive region title
BY KATIE MCELVY
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Gas was $2.14. “Uptown Funk” was the number one song on the radio. The internet argued over whether a dress was blue and black or gold and white. Princess Charlotte was born, and the Chambers Academy Rebels were not region champs. The year was 2015. Chambers finished second in their region and went on to finish as AISA 1A State Runners-Up, but for next decade, the Rebels would claim the region title and the count has all the potential to continue as demonstrated on Friday night as Chambers played host to Bessemer Academy.
Bessemer went three-and-out on the opening drive of the game, but they muffed the snap and the punt only made it to their own 25-yard line. Peyton Yerta went all 25 yards to the endzone on Chambers’ second play of the drive. The PAT was no good, but the Rebels were up 6-0.
Other than one first down pass, Bessemer went backwards on their next drive thanks to the Rebel defense led by Kent Nelson and Peyton Yerta. When Chambers took back over, Hunter Andrews found success on the ground with the quarterback keeper, and Aiden Tilley got loose for a 61-yard touchdown. Andrews found Spencer Newman for a successful two-point conversion to increase the Rebel lead 14-0.
Cameron Gooden caught an eight yard pass for his first reception since returning from injury. Jacks Nelms, Peyton Yerta and Eli Whorton traded first downs. Colton Fuller carried it inside the five, and Whorton muscled in the score to put Chambers up 20-0 to start the second quarter.
Bessemer then started picking apart the Rebel defense getting within 10 yards of the endzone. However, Chambers prevailed, holding Bessemer in the red zone and forcing a turnover on downs.
Andrews recorded a big gain into Bessemer territory, and Peyton Yerta went 43 yards for the Chambers score. Peyton Yerta also converted for two points to make the score 28-0.
Bryce Modling returned the punt all the way to the Bessemer 20 to set up the Nelms touchdown and increase the Rebel lead 34-0.
Bessemer then scored on a 65-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good, but Chambers answered on a Whorton 45-yard touchdown to make the score 41-7 going into halftime.
Chambers recorded three more scores in the second half with a Cohen Hand 36-yard touchdown, a Nelms 33-yard touchdown and a Cameron Moore 31-yard touchdown to make the final score 62-7.
“This win over Bessemer solidified our tenth consecutive region championship dating back to 2016,” head coach Jason Allen said. “It’s been an incredible run, and a lot of great players and teams have been a part of this. To think we haven’t played a playoff game on the road since 2015 is crazy. The road to the state championship has routinely gone through our home field and has really been a tremendous benchmark for our program.”
The Rebels accumulated 546 yards of total offense. Andrews was four for eight through the air for 78 yards. Cohen Hand completed one pass on one attempt for 51 yards.
Aiden Tilley was the top receiver with 61 yards, and Aiden Yerta followed with 51 yards.
On the ground, Peyton Yerta led the way with 122 yards on seven carries and surpassed 1,000 yards on the season.
Defensively, Colton Fuller had the most tackles with 10 followed by Modling with nine.
“Our offensive line has been spectacular and has made us a dominant rushing team.” Allen said. “It’s been fun to watch. Defensively, we continue to be incredibly stingy against the run and teams have had to resort to throwing the ball to beat us.”
Chambers will close out the regular season, traveling to Abbeville on Thursday night. The Rebels are now set to host the first round of the playoffs in two weeks.
