Rebels smother Valiant Cross on Homecoming
BY KATIE MCELVY
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Homecoming night for Chambers Academy was oh so sweet as it rolled past Valiant Cross Academy 48-7 at Torbert-Allen Field on Sept. 25.
The Rebels (5-1) raced out to a 21-0 lead before the first quarter even ended in a dominant display over the Warriors (1-4).
It was an extra special evening for Chambers head coach Jason Allen, whose daughter, Cate, was named as queen during the halftime ceremony.
“It was a great homecoming for our program,” Allen said. “We had a fantastic crowd and environment. Our guys came out ready to play from the opening kickoff and played at a high level. I think our execution level is getting better, and we were more disciplined from a penalty standpoint.”
While the offense received most of the attention, the defense got Allen’s praise. Since allowing 30 points in the season opener loss to Patrician Academy, the Rebels have allowed just 33 combined points through the five wins.
“We played well defensively and really suffocated our opponent, which gave us great field position in the first half,” Allen said. “We were able to play the game on their end of the field, which is always good. All our guys got to play and get some experience.”
Braxton Terry completed 10 of 11 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns. His top receivers were Bryce Modling, who caught two passes for 76 yards, and Aiden Tilley, who had three receptions for 41 yards.
Christian Terry scored two rushing TDs and caught a touchdown pass. Hunter Phillips ran for 46 yards on six carries, and Cohen Hand added 42 yards on five carries.
Tucker Thrower, Colton Fuller, Samuel Stockman and A.J. Noles each recorded three tackles, while Hunter Andrews, Caleb Caulfield and Aiden Yerta added tackles for loss. Troy Elliott also broke up a pass.
Chambers wasted no time getting on the board. Braxton Terry completed passes to Tilley and Modling to march down the field, then scored on a quarterback keeper for a 6-0 lead.
The Rebels’ defense held the Warriors without a positive yard on their first possession, forcing a punt. Christian Terry scored on the first play of the ensuing drive, and Cohan McDonald’s extra point made it 13-0.
Valiant Cross bobbled the snap on the first play of its next series, and Thrower recovered the fumble for Chambers.
Christian Terry again scored on the first play of the drive, and Hand found Phillips for the 2-point conversion to push the lead to 21-0.
Stockman led a defensive effort that forced the Warriors into another three-and-out. Yerta ripped off two big runs on the Rebels’ next drive, which ended in a touchdown. McDonald’s extra point was good, and Chambers led 28-0 to start the second quarter.
Braxton Terry found Trey Tigner for another touchdown, and McDonald’s extra point made it 35-0.
Fuller and Andrews combined on a tackle for a big loss, forcing another Valiant Cross punt. Braxton Terry connected with Modling for a 55-yard gain on the Rebels’ next drive. Fuller ran to the 1 yard line, and Braxton Terry punched it in to give Chambers a 42-0 halftime lead.
The Warriors returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown, and the extra point put them on the board.
The Rebels answered when Hand broke loose on a long run deep into Valiant Cross territory. Fuller finished the drive with a touchdown to seal the 48-7 win.
Chambers will travel to Elmore to face Edgewood Academy (4-2, 2-1) on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. in an AISA AA Region 1 game.
The Wildcats are coming off a 37-0 loss on the road to Abbeville Christian Academy on Sept. 25.
“They are a proud program that will play us hard, especially at their place,” Allen said.
