By Katie McElvy
Chambers Academy hosted Evangel Christian-Alabaster for the first time in school history on Friday. Evangel brought a rowdy crowd and a 6-1 record. A member of the ASCA, Evangel is the top team in their division and played like it, but that did not stop Chambers from controlling the game early.
Chambers started with a good drive on offense but fumbled, giving the ball to Evangel. TJ Daniel broke up a pass on Evangel’s third down forcing a fourth and long. Evangel faked the punt and was stopped short, giving the Rebels the ball deep in Evangel territory. Eli Whorton ran in the 30 yard touchdown on Chambers’ first play of the next series. The 2-point conversion was unsuccessful.
Bryce Modling, Spencer Newman, and Gabe Bridges led the next defensive series, only giving up a combined 2 yards on Evangel’s drive before Aiden Anglin intercepted the ball.
Chambers’ next scoring drive came at the start of the second quarter. First downs by Daniel and Jacob Norgard set up a 35 yard touchdown run by Luke Tarver. Daniel added the 2-point conversion to make the Rebel lead 14-0.
After Tarver sacked the Evangel quarterback on their next drive, Hunter Andrews intercepted the ball. Tarver picked up two solid runs before scoring the touchdown. The 2-point attempt was again unsuccessful, but the Rebels led 20-0.
Bridges and Newman once again led the defense in holding Evangel. The ball was tipped on third down, and Colton Fuller caught it and ran it in for another Rebel touchdown.
A kick off to the endzone pinned Evangel deep. Tarver hit the Evangel runner hard, knocking the ball out. Andrews recovered it, setting up the Landon Hand 20-yard pass to Daniel on the very next play. The PAT was no good, but Chambers held a 32-0 lead at the half.
With a running clock after halftime, Chambers only had one offensive possession, but they made the most of it. Jack Nelms picked up two big runs, and Landon Hand added 16 yards on the quarterback keeper. Norgard scored the final touchdown for the Rebels, and Kaisen Nix booted the PAT through, making the final score 39-0.
The Rebels will have a bye week before hosting Banks Academy. The Rebels are very familiar with the Banks Jets. The two teams faced off in the 2023 AISA AA State Championship Game, where the Rebels emerged victorious.
