By Katie McElvy
The Chambers Academy Rebels took to the road for the fourth game this season this time to face Bessemer Academy. Luke Tarver didn’t hesitate to find the end zone on the opening drive, and Cameron Gooden picked up the two point conversion to quickly put the Rebels
up 8-0.
Bessemer’s offense came out ready to play, driving down the field, but a high snap pinned them back 18 yards and forced a punt.
Landon Hand opened up the next drive for the Rebels with a 26 yard pick-up on the quarterback keeper. Chambers drove all the way to the 4-yard line, but a fumble in the end zone gave Bessemer the ball at the 20.
Bessemer once again forced their way into Rebel territory; however, TJ Daniel intercepted the ball to put Chambers back on offense.
Hand scored the next touchdown in just four offensive plays. He then added the 2-point conversion to extend the Rebel lead 16-0.
Bessemer was forced to punt once again after Daniel got a tackle for a loss and Aiden Anglin broke up a pass.
After a sack and delay of game penalty, Chambers found themselves going the wrong direction, but a 12-yard pick up by Hand behind the blocking of Eli Whorton and first downs by Tarver and Daniel put the Rebels in the endzone once again. Tarver added the 2-point conversion, and Chambers was up 24-0.
Bessemer was once again pounding on the door of the end zone right before halftime; however, Bryce Modling ended that drive with an interception at the 10-yard line.
Colton Fuller caught his first touchdown of the season on a Hand pass in the Rebels first offensive series of the second half. The 2-point conversion to Aiden Anglin was successful.
The Chambers defense only allowed one yard on Bessemer’s next drive to force a punt.
Sam Smith and Hunter Andrews picked up first downs for Chambers to set up an 18-yard touchdown run by Jack Nelms for the Rebels’ last score of the game. The PAT was no good.
Bessemer did score on the final play of the game, but Chambers recorded the win 38-6.
“This was a huge win for our team. We control our own destiny for the region championship with only Banks Academy remaining in a week eight matchup. We were dominant again offensively and except for a first quarter fumble on the goal line, we had no mistakes. We cannot allow that to happen again. The most important offensive statistic is turnovers, and we cannot afford any whatsoever in our philosophy. We created turnovers on defense which evened things out,” commented Head Coach Jason Allen.
Hand and Tarver led the offense with 137 yards each on the ground. Hand also completed 8 of 10 passes connecting with Sam Smith for 36 yards, Colton Fuller for a 12-yard touchdown, Aiden Anglin for 11 yards, Cameron Gooden for 8 yards, and Hunter Andrews for 7 yards.
Eli Whorton led the defense with 6 tackles, followed by Tarver with 5, Drew Sheppard with 4, and Daniel with 4.
The Rebels will host Morgan Academy for the homecoming game this week. This will be the first match-up between these two teams at the varsity level since 1994.
