Rebels dominate Patrician, advance to championship round
Published 6:00 pm Friday, November 15, 2024
Photos by David Lovell | The Haynes Ambulance flight crew delivers the Rebels’ game ball.
Photos by David Lovell | The Rebels join arms to await delivery of the second playoff round game ball.
Photos by David Lovell | The Haynes Ambulance Life Flight helicopter lands on the field to deliver the game ball for the Rebels playoff game against Patrician.
Photos by David Lovell | The Rebels protect their end zone during the second-round playoff matchup with Patrician.
Photos by David Lovell | Players and coaches for the Rebels and Saints pray together after their Final Four matchup.
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The Lowndes Academy Rebels dominated Patrician Academy Thursday, capturing a hard-won 35-18 victory over the Saints from Butler to advance to the final Alabama Independent School Association 2A State Championships.
For their fourth championship bid in as many years, the Rebels, now 11-0 on the season and first in Region 1, travel to Montgomery on Nov. 21 to go head-to-head with the 12-0 South Choctaw Rebels at Cramton Bowl.
Ahead of the game, Head Coach Shane Moye said the Rebels will take the week to prepare to face their opponent from Toxey.
“We just need to heal up [and] be as fresh as we can,” Moye said. “Patrician] came out and fought, which we knew they [would]. They [have] a great coach and football team, a very tough football team. “
Lowndes Academy set the tone for the matchup early when the Haynes Ambulance Life Flight helicopter crew delivered the game ball to Art Sullivan Stadium. Jeremy Hardy got the Rebels on the board with the first play from scrimmage with a 56-yard dash. Watters Box’s extra point attempt was good, setting up a lead for Lowndes, 7-0.
Braydn Stokes scored the second touchdown from Patrician’s one-yard line. A true PAT kick by box put the Rebels up 14-0.
In the second quarter, the Rebels kept the Saints from scoring and went up 21-0 when Stokes connected with Box on a 57-yard pass. Going into the locker room at halftime, the Rebels had 21 unanswered points.
The Saint rallied during the break and returned to the field with a renewed intent to match the Rebels’ energy. A 16-yard run and failed two-point conversion attempt got Patrician on the board with 7:20 on the third-quarter clock.
Three minutes later, Box’s 53-yard touchdown reception and true PAT kick strengthened the Rebels lead to 28-6. Patrician scored again — once on a 39-yard run and then on a 44-yard sprint for the end zone, closing the gap at the end of the third quarter, 28-18.
“They kind of shocked us in the third quarter,” Moye said. “They got an onside kick or two, but these kids battle and fight. They win. They’ve got heart. They’re used to it. Our culture is that, and I’m super proud of every one of them [sic].”
In the fourth quarter, Stokes found the end zone from inside Patrician’s five-yard line. A good kick from Box ended the game with a Rebels’ 35-18 victory.
Ahead of next week’s championship game with South Choctaw, Moye is familiar with his opponents’ strengths and said the Rebels will rely on their speed to give them the edge needed to bring home a fourth title and trophy.
“We’ve got to use our speed to get outside and do some things against them,” Moye said. “They’re gonna be tough and run right at us. It’s basically going to be about who wants it more [and] how much heart we’ve got.
“I’m so proud of these kids. Everybody thought we wouldn’t be here after we lost ten seniors [last season]. The [team] went above that and said, “We’re gonna win every game. I think this win makes it 30 in a row for us. It’s been truly amazing to be a part of this.”
