By Katie McElvy
The Chambers Academy Rebels traveled to Mississippi to face the Starkville Academy Volunteers on Friday to open the 2024 season for the Rebels.
The game started well for Chambers as Eli Whorton and Gabe Bridges sacked the Vol quarterback ending their drive and forcing a punt.
Luke Tarver and Whorton opened the offensive drive with back-to-back first downs, but an incomplete pass and a holding penalty seemed to have taken the steam out the Rebels’ sails when Jacob Norgard took matters into his own hands posting a 36-yard run to set up a 29-yard Tarver touchdown. The Kaisen Nix PAT was good, and the Rebels were on the board 7-0.
Chambers forced another punt after a QB hurry by Drew Sheppard, but an interception allowed the Vols to score, tying up the game.
The Rebels started once again driving down the field, but another interception gave the Vols a go ahead TD.
Chambers was able to answer with a pair of back-to-back first downs by TJ Daniel and a big gain by Norgard. QB Landon Hand ran the ball to the 3 yard line, and Daniel punched it in. The PAT was blocked, but Chambers inched closer 13-14.
The Vols drove into the red zone, but Daniel picked it off for an 87-yard touchdown. Tarver converted for two to put Chambers up 21-14.
Starkville added another score before the half to make it 21 all.
With the clock winding down in the third quarter, the Vols got loose on a 50-yard touchdown run to take the lead.
Chambers couldn’t recover from a personal foul call on their next drive and allowed another 52-yard touchdown to go down 21-35.
The Rebels did answer after Hand found success on two keeper attempts. Tarver scored from the Wildcat position and then picked up the two point conversion.
With Starkville trying to run out the clock, Chambers caught the quarterback in the end zone for safety, but time ran out on the Rebels as they looked for the winning score, and the Chambers fell 31-35.
“This was a tough game to lose. Anytime you rush for over 400 yards, you expect to win every time. Unfortunately, we turned the ball over, had some untimely penalties, and gave up two big plays on defense,” commented Head Coach Jason Allen.
Continued Allen, “I was proud of how hard the kids played on a very long road trip. It was a learning experience for our team. We will regroup and get better and figure out what we do best. I really like our team and am excited about how much improvement we can make going forward.”
The Rebels rushed for 437 yards on offense. Tarver led with 159 yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries, followed by Norgard with 150 yards on 18 totes, Whorton with 36 yards on 4 attempts, and Daniel with 34 yards and a touchdown on 6 rushes.
Tarver also led the way on defensive with 6 tackles. Spencer Newman recorded 5 tackles, and TJ Daniel had 4 tackles and a pick six.
Chambers stays on the road next week as they travel to Evergreen to take on the Ft. Dale Eagles.
