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The Lowndes Academy Rebels defended Memorial Stadium Friday and trampled the visiting Sparta Academy Warriors in a 44-6 homefield win.

Head coach Shane Moye said the Rebels were short a few players heading into the matchup but played well overall.

“We played really good,” Moye said. “We were kind of worried about how we would match up with them. They are a good team, but our boys continue to rise up to the occasion.

“No matter who plays, no matter who’s out there, they just play so hard. They all believe they can win. It’s so fun to be a part of.”

Huston Hampton put the first Rebel points on the board by clutching a 29-yard pass from Braydn Stokes after a rushing touchdown bid from Jeremy Hardy, Jr. was called back by a Rebels’ holding penalty. Watters Box launched a true kick for the extra point to push the Rebels ahead 7-0.

The Warriors answered and Brodie Fowler found the end zone for Sparta with a 12-yard pass for the touchdown. Hardy completed a 69-yard run for the Rebels next touchdown, and a failed two-point conversion attempt closed down the first quarter with Lowndes leading 13-6.

In the second quarter, Crawford Dansby caught a 40-yard pass, positioning the Rebel offense for Stokes to toss the ball 44 yards. Hardy’s catch was good and another true kick by Box put the Rebels ahead 20-6.

Hampton rushed 52 yards to the endzone for the Rebels again. A good kick from Box, widened Lowndes academy’s lead to 27-6 with 1:16 on the clock before the half.

While the Rebels’ performance was good, it wasn’t without flaws. Flags on play cost Lowndes three touchdown bids and Moye said the team will be working to refine their efforts ahead of next week’s game.

“We’ve got some cleanup to do,” Moye said. “I think we had three touchdowns called back due to holding penalties, so we’ve got to clean that up and we will.”

Another Hampton run for 22 yards and Hardy’s four-yard push to the end zone resulted in the Warriors losing sight of a potential win. Altogether, the Rebels grasped 38 unanswered points and sealed the win with a 27-yard field goal by Box. 

Hardy earned 172 of Lowndes Academy’s 380 yards and Stokes passed 116 yards. Ashton Yelder completed six tackles and Box kicked throughout the contest for 367 yards.

Moye said the game was a good test of the team’s metal and a learning experience for the student-athletes.

“It’s only our third game of the season, and we look really good,” Moye said. “We played a lot more people than we’ve been playing, and I think that’s only gonna make us better.