Rebels bounce back with 44-0 win over Generals
BY KATIE MCELVY
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — After a heartbreaking 30-28 double-overtime loss to Patrician Academy, No. 2-ranked Chambers Academy had something to prove against No. 4 Abbeville Christian Academy.
While there was no rest for the weary in facing highly-ranked teams in back-to-back weeks, the Rebels (1-1) sure slept good after demolishing the Generals (1-1) 44-0 at Torbert-Allen Field on Aug. 28.
Braxton Terry led the offense with 96 yards on eight carries, followed by Cameron Moore with 52 yards on seven carries, Trey Tigner with 38 yards on six carries and Christian Terry with 34 yards on five carries.
Colton Fuller led the defense with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception. Bryce Modling added 5 tackles, and Cooper Earl also recorded an interception.
Special teams also played a big part in the Rebels’ success, with Christian Terry’s opening touchdown, Cohan McDonald going 6-for-6 on extra point attempts, and Tucker Thrower flipping the field and pinning the Generals deep on punts.
“I thought our defense and special teams were outstanding and got us off to a great start,” Chambers head coach Jason Allen said. “We were able to get some traction on offense as the game progressed, and I think we did some really good things on offense that we can build on as the season goes along. Our defense was great against the run, and the offense is starting to find its identity.”
It didn’t take them long to make a statement as Christian Terry took it 98 yards to the house on the opening kickoff. The Cohan McDonald PAT was good, and the Rebels took a quick 7-0 lead.
While it was still early in the game at that point, Allen noted scoring on special teams dramatically improves a team’s chance to win.
“Anytime you can score on special teams, it’s a huge shot in the arm,” Allen said.
The Rebel defense only allowed 4 yards on the Generals’ opening possession before Fuller picked it off at the Abbeville 37 yard line. Unable to put together positive yardage, the Rebels punted and pinned the Generals at their own 4 yard line.
The Abbeville quarterback then bobbled the snap and was caught in the end zone by Thrower and Christian Terry for a safety, giving the Rebels a 9-0 lead.
Chambers then tried their passing game but couldn’t find success and was once again forced to punt. The Generals muffed the return and Modling recovered it, allowing Chambers to take over at the Abbeville 10 yard line.
Aiden Yerta took it to the Abbeville 3 yard line and punched it in for the TD on the next play. McDonald’s PAT was once again good, and the Rebels took a 16-0 lead.
Yerta and A.J. Noles came up big for the Rebel defense in the next series, sacking the Generals’ quarterback and forcing a punt.
This time, the Chambers offense started to click as Tigner picked up back-to-back first downs to set up the 30-yard TD run by Braxton Terry on the quarterback keeper. McDonald booted another one through, allowing the Rebels to take a 23-0 lead into the second quarter.
The defense went to work in the second quarter with Noles and Samuel Stockman stuffing the Generals at the line and Hunter Andrews getting a pass breakup to force another punt. Modling recorded his second big punt return of the year, running deep into General
territory to the 36 yard line.
Two good runs by Tigner set up a Fuller TD. McDonald made the score 30-0 by sending another PAT through the uprights.
Modling recovered a General fumble on their next drive. Braxton Terry carried it 25 yards into the red zone on the keeper, and Christian Terry added the 20-yard TD on the next play. McDonald’s PAT was good to give the Rebels a 37-0 lead at the half.
The Rebels added another TD drive on their opening possession of the second half. Braxton Terry found success through the air this time, finding both Aiden Tilley and Modling. He then ran in the 16-yard score, taking the Rebels to a 44-0 victory.
The Rebels will host Crenshaw Christian Academy on Friday, Sept. 4. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Torbert-Allen Field.
