Chambers Academy scores third state title
BY KATIE MCELVY
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Before this season, only 21 public and private schools in the state of Alabama could boast back-to-back-to-back state championships, but on Thursday, the Chambers Academy Rebels cemented themselves in the history books and joined the ranks of elite programs in the state as they captured their third championship in a row and fifth championship in eight years with a 32-14 win over Lowndes Academy.
Starting the game on offense, the Rebels strung together a dominant drive led by Hunter Andrews who picked up 20 yards on three quarterback keepers before going down with an injury which sidelined him for much of the first half. Eighth grader, Cohen Hand, came in at the back-up QB position and handed it off to Yerta for an 11-yard run before Hand scored the touchdown on a keeper. Yerta punched in the two-point conversion to put Chambers up 8-0.
Lowndes tied it up at 8 all after completing two successful passes.
Chambers took the lead back with Hand, Yerta, Eli Whorton and Jacks Nelms taking turns carrying the ball and marching it all the way down the field with Yerta scoring the 27-yard touchdown. Hand added the two-point conversion, and Chambers once again was on top 16-8.
The defense put Chambers in scoring position twice in the second quarter with the offense starting their drives deep in Lowndes territory, but miscues and penalties kept Chambers off the scoreboard, taking a close 16-8 lead into halftime.
After a defensive stand led by Troy Elliott, Spencer Newman and Sam Smith, the Chambers offense started clicking again as Yerta scored a 42-yard touchdown and with a two-point conversion.
After a Lowndes’ punt, Nelms picked up a big first down run, but another penalty pinned Chambers back. A 14-yard pass from Andrews to Bryce Modling set up a fourth and one situation. Chambers decided to go for it, and Yerta powered through for the first down and then scored a touchdown two plays later. Nelms added the two points to put Chambers up 32-8.
Lowndes scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Modling intercepted the two point attempt to make the final 32-14.
“It wasn’t easy, but our guys found a way,” head coach Jason Allen said. “We played great defense, didn’t turn it over and did enough on offense to win the game. I told our team at halftime that I was putting it in their hands to win the game upfront, and we were dominant in the second half. We were able to run the ball right at them, and at the same time, they couldn’t run it at us. That’s won a lot of games for us over the years. This will go down as one of the most dominant line-of-scrimmage teams we’ve ever had here at Chambers Academy, and they were at their finest on the biggest stage.”
The Rebels recorded 304 yards of rushing offense with Peyton Yerta leading the way with 131 yards on 17 carries followed by Jack Nelms with 64 yards on 11 carries and Eli Whorton with 40 yards on 11 carries.
Whorton led the defense with 10 tackles followed by Bryce Modling, Kent Nelson, and Colton Fuller with five tackles each; Drew Sheppard and Spencer Newman had four tackles each; and Gabe Bridges and Phillip Belcher had three tackles each.
“It’s hard to put into words what this senior class and this championship means to me,” Allen said. “This team fought all year to achieve their goal of being three time state champions. They will carry this accomplishment for the rest of their lives and have really set the bar at a new height. I challenged them at the beginning of the year to stay hungry and keep getting better each week, and they certainly did it. I couldn’t ask for more out of a team than what they gave.”
2025 Championship Season In Review
• Chambers 13, Starkville 14
Chambers played almost a perfect first half of football as they opened the season hosting Starkville Academy out of Mississippi. The Rebels led 13-0 at halftime, but a disastrous second half full of penalties and miracle plays by the Vols handed Chambers their first loss of the season. Starkville went on to a semifinal appearance in the MAIS 4A Division II playoffs.
• Chambers 57, Hope Christian 12
The Rebels got back on track the next week with a road win over the Saints. Peyton Yerta picked up over 100 yards on just six carries in the game with Hunter Andrews completing four of five passes for 124 yards on a big offensive night for the Rebels.
• Chambers 49, Valiant Cross 8
The Rebel defense shined in week three. With interceptions by Bryce Modling and Troy Elliott and tackles for a loss by Drew Sheppard, Eli Whorton, Tucker Thrower and AJ Noles, the Warriors’ total yardage was in the negative until their last drive before the end of the first half. The Rebels scored three touchdowns through the air in the game with Hunter Andrews finding Colton Fuller and Tristan Ayers in the end zone and Cohen Hand passing to Cobie Whatley for scores. Bryce Modling also recorded a pick six in the game.
• Chambers 42, Banks 14
The Rebels scored on six of seven possessions in the first half of their matchup against Banks Academy while accumulating over 450 yards of total offense. According to Allen, the Rebels played “hateful with a nasty attitude.”
• Chambers 41, Lakeside 0
The Rebels recorded their first shutout of the season on the road at The Lakeside School. Peyton Yerta scored a touchdown on Chambers’ first possession and then picked off the defense to set up the next touchdown. Not to be outdone by his older brother, Aiden Yerta added an 80-yard touchdown. The Rebel defense recorded eight sacks and tackles for a loss in the game.
• Chambers 27, Lowndes 0
Chambers posted another defensive shutout in a big homecoming win as the No. 1 Lowndes Rebels came to town. Chambers led 2-0 at the end of the first quarter with the Rebel defense forcing a fumble out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Jack Nelms scored to kick off the second quarter, and Chambers carried a close 8-0 lead into halftime. Trey Tigner intercepted the ball on Lowndes’ opening play of the second half. Peyton Yerta went on a 40-yard run to set up the Eli Whorton touchdown, and Chambers never looked back as they took advantage of a Colton Fuller interception and a Troy Elliott fumble recovery to set up touchdowns and roll to a big Rebel win.
• Chambers 27, Fort Dale 0
The Rebel defense held their opponent scoreless for the third week in a row as they travelled to Fort Dale. The offense was electric in the game picking up 280 yards of rushing offense and 275 passing yards for 555 yards of total offense. Hunter Andrews found Cobie Whatley and Aiden Tilley multiple times with each receiver recording over 100 yards.
• Chambers 28, Maclay 38
The Rebels travelled to Tallahassee, Florida, to face The Maclay School, a high school with more than 1,000 students enrolled. Turnovers and penalties was the difference in the game with Chambers and Maclay trading scores with the Rebels leading 14-13 at the half. Chambers trailed just 28-32 with six minutes left in the game. Chambers failed to convert on fourth and three, and Maclay scored a quick touchdown to give the Rebels their second loss of the season.
• Chambers 46, Morgan 6
Chambers scored on every possession of the first half, and the only touchdown given up was a kickoff returned for a score. Trey Tigner kept this stat intact with an interception at the 2-yard line to save a Morgan touchdown.
• Chambers 62, Bessemer 7
Chambers scored on every possession of the entire game in a big win over Bessemer. Six different Rebels found the end zone in the game with Aiden Tilley getting a 61-yard touchdown, Eli Whorton picking up a 45-yard score, and Cameron Moore adding a 31-yard touchdown.
• Chambers 50, Abbeville 14
The Rebels appeared to be in a dog fight as they travelled to Abbeville to take on the Generals led by Missouri commit, Ahmod Billins. Abbeville struck first on a very poised drive, but Peyton Yerta added eight points to tie up the game. Hunter Andrews scored on the keeper to take the lead to end the first. Abbeville quickly tied it up, but Bryce Modeling’s 53 yard kick-off return set up the Yerta touchdown, and Chambers never looked back, dominating the second half. Abbeville went on to win the AISA 2A State Championship with their only loss coming from the Rebels.
• Round One: Chambers 50, Fort Dale 21
Chambers started off the playoffs with an 80-yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown by Hunter Andrews and followed up with a 53-yard touchdown pass from Andrews to Eli Whorton. The offense was explosive in the night with big plays leading to most of the scoring. Bryce Modling, Troy Elliott and Trey Tigner all recorded interceptions.
• Round Two: Chambers 53, Southern 22
Southern kept the game close as the Rebels held a 28-14 lead at the half. Two of those Chambers touchdowns came from a scoop and score by Troy Elliott and a punt return for a touchdown by Bryce Modling. The Rebel offense came alive in the second half, however, and Chambers punched their ticket to another state championship game.
• State Championship: Chambers 32, Lowndes 14
Another big second half performance by the Rebels sealed the deal for their third consecutive state championship. With the win, the Rebels secured their place as the kings of the AISA.
Stats
Hunter Andrews completed one of two passes for 13 yards and added 18 yards on four carries while Cohen Hand completed one of three passes for 10 yards and rushed six times for 30 yards and a touchdown. He also scored a two-point conversion.
Dayton Yerta led the ground game with 17 carries for 131 yards, three touchdowns and a two-point conversion
Jack Nelms rushed 11 times for 62 yards, and Eli Whorton added 11 carries for 40 yards. Aiden Tilley had one reception for 13 yards, while Whorton caught one pass for 10 yards.
On defense, Whorton recorded a team-high 10 tackles. Bryce Modling finished with five tackles and an interception. Kent Nelson and Colton Fuller each had five tackles, with Fuller adding a pass breakup. Drew Sheppard and Spencer Newman both made four tackles, and Newman also had a pass batted down. Gabe Bridges and Phillip Belcher recording three tackles apiece and AJ Noles added two tackles.
Team Totals
Chambers Academy finished with 23 passing yards and 304 rushing yards. The Rebels committed no turnovers — zero interceptions and zero fumbles.
