Rebels back on track in week two
BY KATIE MCELVY
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — The Chambers Academy Rebels traveled to Oxford to face the Hope Christian Saints in the first-ever match up of the two schools. The Rebels hit the ground running in the game and never slowed up.
Peyton Yerta and Eli Whorton took the lead in the first drive, each picking up over 30 yards on only two carries. Yerta reached the endzone first. The Kaisen Nix PAT was good, and the Rebels were on the board just 1:45 into the game.
After a three-and-out, Yerta hit the field again gaining 35 yards to set up the Whorton touchdown. Nix knocked another one through to make the score 14-0.
The Rebels defense then found time to shine with a big tackle for a loss by Drew Sheppard and a pass break up by Bryce Modling. A snap over the quarterback’s head sent the ball into the endzone, and the Rebels defense added two points with a safety.
Yerta punched in another touchdown, and the Chambers defense forced a fumble on a sack. Yerta took advantage, adding another score, and the Rebels found themselves up 30-0 to end the first quarter.
The second quarter started with a Camden Moncus interception. Whorton then pushed through and ran over the entire Saints defense to find his way to the endzone. Aiden Tilley went 65 yards on the pass from Hunter Andrews to give Chambers one more score before the end of the half and increase the lead 44-0.
Many of Chambers’ underclassmen then got some experience in the second half. The Rebels defense did give up one touchdown in the third quarter and one touchdown as the last seconds wound off the clock, but they also added two scores with Trey Tigner and Cameron Moore both scoring touchdowns to make the final score 57-12.
“It was good to get back at it and get the bad taste of last Friday’s game out of our system,” said head coach Jason Allen. “I thought our guys came out hot and ready to play. We were very physical, which is the strength of our team. We asserted our dominance early which is what we were looking for as a staff. Our senior class wasn’t going to let us come and slip around and feel sorry for ourselves. There are some great leaders in that group.
“No turnovers for a second consecutive week has been very encouraging, and I think coach NeSmith continues to have our guys playing at a really high level on that side of the ball. I also felt we played much better in the special teams department,” Allen said.
Hunter Andrews was four for five for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Tilley was his top target with two receptions for 76 yards. Yerta led the way on the ground with 101 yards on six carries, followed by Whorton with 52 yards on just three carries.
Modling led the defense with five tackles, followed by Kent Nelson, Troy Elliott, Colton Fuller and AJ Noles with four tackles each.
On special teams, Kaisen Nix was seven for eight on extra points. On the Rebels’ only punt of the night, Tucker Thrower booted it 46 yards.
Chambers will travel to Montgomery on Friday to take on Valiant Cross Academy. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
