Rebels capture 11th consecutive region championship
BY KATIE MCELVY
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Chambers Academy traveled to Hayneville on Oct. 8 to face Lowndes Academy (4-3) and came home with a 36-13 win and another region championship.
The Rebels (7-1) entered the game ranked No. 2 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s AISA poll, while Lowndes was ranked No. 5.
“This was another good win for our team. We wrapped up our 11th consecutive region championship, so the playoffs will go through Chambers again,” Chambers head coach Jason Allen said. “We’re continuing to improve, and I still think our best football is in front of us.”
Braxton Terry completed 6 of 8 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 74 yards and three TDs on seven carries. Aiden Yerta rushed for 84 yards and a TD on eight carries, and Christian Terry caught a 45-yard TD pass.
Allen credited an offensive line unit that has really begun to gel in recent weeks for the efficient display.
“Our offensive line played better and is starting to develop chemistry,” Allen said.
Colton Fuller and Tucker Thrower led the Rebels on defense with six tackles apiece. Fuller added a tackle for loss, and Thrower recovered a fumble. Asher Lovelace added five tackles.
“Defensively, except for two plays, I thought we played well,” Allen said.
The Chambers defense forced a turnover on downs on the opening possession of the game, with Fuller coming up big to stop Lowndes on fourth-and-1.
Braxton Terry found Hunter Andrews and Bryce Modling for big gains on the Rebels’ first possession. Yerta laid down two solid runs, the last ending in a 30-yard TD. Cohan McDonald’s extra point was good, giving Chambers the early 7-0 lead.
The Rebels then recovered an onside kick to start their next drive with good field position. On the third play of the drive, Braxton Terry added a TD on a 46-yard keeper. McDonald booted through the extra point to make it 14-0.
Lowndes answered on a 46-yard scoring run. The extra point was good to cut the Chambers lead in half. Lowndes then recovered an onside kick.
A.J. Noles, Sam Stockman and Troy Elliott led the Rebel defense on Lowndes’ attempt to tie up the game, but Lowndes failed to convert on fourth down, giving the Rebels the ball back.
Chambers started its next drive in the air with Braxton Terry hitting Aiden Tilley for an 18-yard gain and Fuller for a 9-yard pickup. Christian Terry then ran for back-to-back first downs, and Braxton Terry scored the TD on a keeper. The PAT was no good, but the Rebels took a 20-7 lead into the second quarter.
Modling picked up 52 yards on a pass from Braxton Terry to highlight Chambers’ next scoring drive. Braxton Terry ran in the score, and McDonald hit the PAT, putting the Rebels up 27-7.
Chambers’ next points came from the defense as a great kickoff pinned Lowndes at its own 15. Fuller recorded a tackle for loss, and a bad snap sent the ball into the end zone for a safety to make it 29-7.
Christian Terry found the end zone on a 45-yard catch from Braxton Terry on the first play from scrimmage of the Rebels’ next drive, and McDonald’s PAT gave Chambers a 36-7 lead.
Thrower recovered a fumble to end Lowndes’ hopes of a score before the half.
The second half was highlighted by a 38-yard grab by Brewer Smith and a strong defensive effort by Lovelace.
Lowndes did find the end zone on the last play of the game, but Chambers walked away with the 36-13 win.
The Rebels will meet up with Southern Preparatory Academy in Camp Hill on Friday, Oct. 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
“We face a much improved Southern Prep team that likes to spread it out and throw it all over the place,” Allen said. “They have some speed, and we’ll have to be ready to tackle in space. We’re excited for the opportunity.”
