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The Lowndes Academy Rebels met South Choctaw at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery Thursday and claimed the Alabama Independent School Association Runners-up title with a 7-14 loss, the team’s first defeat since 2022.

Lowndes head coach Shane Moye said both teams fought hard and commended his team’s strong defensive efforts.

“I thought it was a hard-nosed football game,” Moye said. “The two teams played tough, and I felt like we played great defense the entire football game. We just couldn’t get it going on the opposite side.

The loss was a blow to the team which, going into the match, was coming off a 30-game winning streak after breaking the school’s previous 20-game all-time record.

“I’m proud of our boys,” Moye said. “They fought so hard and [for] what they’ve accomplished winning 30 games in a row and having the opportunity to play for the fourth state championship. It’s just an honor. These boys have been beside me and been a part of every one of those teams and hadn’t lost much. So, it hurts.”

Lowndes Academy received the ball first and the first quarter passed with no points on the board. With 5:48 in the second quarter, South Choctaw gets on the board from one yard out, and the two-point conversion attempt fails due to an interception by Huston Hampton. 

“You just keep playing the plays,” Moye said. “They kept getting enough first downs and I think we had a few face masks and extended drives early in the game. We thought we had to just get the ball back. We had our opportunities for sure and didn’t capitalize on them.”

Jeremy Hardy put Lowndes Academy on the board, taking the lead after a good PAT, 7-6. With 2:27 left to play, South Choctaw found the endzone and made a true kick to take the lead 14-7 in the fourth quarter.

“It just felt like every time we would get something going, the ball would bounce their way,” Moye said. “They were prepared for us. They had an outstanding coach and football team, a tough football team. Hats off to them and congrats to them for being able to accomplish [the win.]”

Moye said the Rebels held out hope for a win but eventually ran out of time to regain the lead.

“It’s a tough feeling,” Moye explained. “We were watching the clock, trying to keep them out [of the end zone.] At the end, they were prepared for us, and they had the better team.”

South Choctaw head coach Stacy Luker commended Lowndes Academy’s efforts.

“Winning the state championship is big, it’s special,” Luker said. “And I think, beating a team like Lowndes, you had to play almost perfect, and we didn’t do that. I give credit to Lowndes Academy for the way they played. They kept the fight on.

Moye stressed the importance and honor his team felt to represent Lowndes Academy in their fourth championship bid in as many years.

“[We have] a winning culture,” Moye said. “[The team] expects to be in this type of moment, in this type of game. There’s only so many times in life you get to play in front of crowds like this and in moments like this and just enjoy every minute, the good and the bad.