The Saints came marching in double OT
BY KATIE MCELVY
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Chambers Academy made the nearly four-hour trip across Alabama on Friday to face Patrician Academy in Butler.
The stormy skies were not the only things making noise as the two teams, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s preseason Alabama Independent School Association poll, took the field.
By the time the game concluded, the Rebels’ (0-1) 35-game winning streak against AISA opponents was snapped with a 30-28 double overtime loss to the Saints (1-0).
Braxton Terry was 5 of 10 for 58 yards through the air and gained 104 rushing yards on 17 carries.
Bryce Modling and Colton Fuller led the defense with 12 tackles each, followed by Knox Moncus with 11 tackles and Trey Tigner with 10.
“It was a tough way to start the year against a good Patrician team,” Chambers head coach Jason Allen said. “Our guys battled, and we had our chances to put the game away in the fourth quarter, but we just couldn’t finish the deal. We have some new faces, and our team will be a lot better as the season progresses. We have just got to find our best punch and swing it.”
Patrician took control of the ball first and strung together a drive that ate up most of the first quarter, lasting 7:31. Hunter Andrews and Trey Tigner both made big plays in the defensive stand, with Andrews coming up big in two critical situations, stuffing the Saints’ leading rusher, Ethan Carr.
Tigner was also able to knock the ball loose on a big hit. The ball rolled out of bounds, not allowing the Rebels to recover the fumble, but it slowed the Patrician momentum and forced them to punt a few plays later.
The Rebels’ opening possession ended in a punt, and the Saints started once again charging down the field. The Chambers defense came up big again in two major plays. Tucker Thrower sacked the quarterback for a loss, and Bryce Modling intercepted the ball to end the drive.
The Rebels then tried out their passing game and found success, but critical penalties forced another punt. A bad snap and quick defensive play forced a punt for the Saints.
Modling then put down a big return to the Patrician 30. Aiden Yerta picked up a first down on the next play, and quarterback Braxton Terry found Aiden Tilley, who took the ball inside the 5. Terry then scored the touchdown on the keeper. Cohen McDonald hit the PAT to give Chambers a 7-0 lead at the half.
Chambers’ opening drive of the second half fell short, but the Rebels were able to pin the Saints deep in their own territory. A bad snap by Patrician was recovered by Andrews to set up the Rebel offense on a short field.
Christian Terry picked up seven yards, and Cohen Hand added the first down. Hand then threw to Cobie Whatley for a touchdown. The McDonald PAT was once again good, increasing the Rebel lead to 14-0 going into the final quarter.
Patrician answered with a touchdown of its own to start the fourth quarter. The Saints converted for two to cut the Rebel lead to 14-8.
Chambers strung together a nice drive, getting all the way inside the Saints’ 10, but Patrician was able to hold the Rebels and then marched the ball 91 yards downfield for a touchdown to tie up the game. Troy Elliott came up big on the two-point conversion, getting the stop and forcing overtime.
Hand took the snaps in the first overtime, hitting Whatley for seven yards and then running in the touchdown and two-point conversion. Patrician answered in just one play and converted to once again tie up the game at 22-all and force a second overtime.
The Saints quickly added their eight points to take a 30-22 lead. Christian Terry found the end zone for the Rebels, but the two-point conversion came up shy, and Chambers fell in its season opener.
Chambers will host Abbeville Christian Academy on Friday, Aug. 28, at Torbert-Allen Field at 7 p.m. The Generals defeated Florida A&M University Development Research School 31-18 on Aug. 21.
Abbeville is the reigning AISA AA champion. The Generals posted a 12-1 record a year ago, with their lone loss coming from the Rebels.
“We will face a good Abbeville team this week in our first region contest of the year,” Allen said. “We have to go back to work this week and get better at what we do.”
