Rebels give the Generals their marching orders
BY Katie McElvy
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Chambers Academy handed Autauga Academy a 43-6 defeat at Torbert-Allen Field on Sept. 18, spoiling its previously undefeated return to Alabama Independent School Association competition.
The No. 5 Generals (3-1, 3-1), back in the AISA this year after two seasons in the Alabama High School Athletic Association, had won their first three games before running into a physical No. 2-ranked Rebels (4-1, 4-0) team that controlled both lines of scrimmage from the opening whistle.
“I thought our team came out ready to play and focused. We really got after them early. We had a good week of practice,” Chambers head coach Jason Allen said.
Braxton Terry was 2-of-4 for 85 yards and two passing touchdowns and added 135 yards on 13 carries rushing. Offensively, Aiden Yerta also rushed four times for 70 yards, while Christian Terry picked up 69 yards on five carries.
Sam Stockman led the defense with eight tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Colton Fuller had six tackles, A.J. Noles added five tackles and Cooper Earl recorded five tackles, two tackles for a loss and three pass breakups.
“Our team is getting better, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement,” Allen said. “We have to get rid of the penalties, and we have to get better on special teams. We also have to improve our pass protection. There are plays to be made downfield if we can hold up in pass protection longer.”
Against another team ranked in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s top-10 AISA poll, the Rebels came out of the gate eager to prove themselves.
Chambers forced a three-and-out on the Generals’ first possession after sacking the quarterback; Cooper Earl recorded a tackle for a loss. The Rebels had a lot of ground to make up on their next possession.
Christian Terry and Braxton Terry traded totes for the Rebels for a 51-yard TD drive. Braxton Terry scored the two-point conversion, and Chambers took an early 8-0 lead.
The Rebel defense held Autauga to minus-4 yards on its next drive. Bryce Modling returned the punt all the way to the house for another Rebel TD. The PAT was no good, but Chambers led 14-0 going into the second quarter.
A 25-yard run by the Generals and costly penalties by Chambers allowed Autauga into the Rebel red zone, but the Rebels’ defense held Autauga scoreless.
Cobie Whatley picked up 7 yards, and Braxton Terry added a first down on the quarterback keeper. The drive then seemed to stall, but Braxton Terry found Hunter Andrews, who ran the ball 45 yards after the catch for the Rebel TD to extend the Chambers lead to 20-0.
Whatley and Trey Tigner then made a big play on special teams, pinning the Generals at their own 20 on the kickoff. Bryce Modling knocked the ball loose on Autauga’s second play of the drive, forcing a fumble that Sam Stockman recovered.
Modling broke a tackle and ran the ball inside the 15. Braxton Terry took it to the 1 yard line and then scored. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but Chambers took a 26-0 lead into the half.
Modling added another big return on the opening kickoff of the second half, taking it all the way into General territory. Aiden Yerta added big gains to set up a 35-yard Cohan McDonald field goal. Autauga found success through the air on its first drive of the second half, which ended in its first score of the game.
The Rebels answered with a 34-yard TD pass from Braxton Terry to Christian Terry. The Cohan McDonald PAT was good to put Chambers up 36-6.
Braxton Terry added the Rebels’ last score on a 42-yard touchdown run via a quarterback keeper. Cohan McDonald added the extra point to give Chambers a 43-6 victory.
Chambers will celebrate homecoming on Friday, Sept. 25, as it hosts Region 1 opponent Valiant Cross Academy (1-3, 1-3). Pregame festivities will begin at 6:15 p.m. with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Torbert-Allen Field. The homecoming court will be recognized at halftime, and the homecoming queen, homecoming princess, football sweetheart and dance sweetheart will all be crowned as well.
The Warriors are coming off a 31-0 loss on the road to Abbeville Christian Academy (3-2, 2-2) on Sept. 18.
