By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

Patrician Academy proved to be no Saints as they spanked a banged up Lowndes Academy squad on the Rebels’ home field 48-20 Friday night.

The Saints led this Class AA, Region 2 contest 12-0 after the first quarter, 20-7 at the half, 34-7 in the third quarter and 42-7 at one point in the fourth.

The Rebels cracked the scoreboard with 8:11 left in the second quarter when junior Garrett Headley scored on 5-yard run. Sophomore quarterback Cody Harrell added the point after to make it 12-7 game.

Trailing 42-7, the Rebels scored again with 7:02 left in the game on a 9-yard run by senior halfback Willie Nall. Harrell added the point after to make it a 42-14 contest

The Rebels would make the final 48-20 when sophomore halfback Calvinair Thomas returned a Saints’ kickoff all the way with 3:05 left in the game.

The Rebels were led on defense by sophomore Michael Scribner and junior John Blackmon with seven tackles each. Senior Derek Pearson made good account of himself defensively with three tackles and two fumble recoveries.

Nall had 10 carries for 70 yards, one catch for 20 yards while Harrell was 6 of 17 passes for 40 yards and one interception.

The Rebels were without the services of senior tight end and safety Wesley McMicken who was injured before the first game and senior linebacker and halfback Toby King on the first play of the game against Sparta.

Also on the injury list were senior left tackle Austin Turner and senior nose guard Justin Jones.

“We’re just short-handed,” said head football coach Matt Marshall. “It’s hard to get mad at the boys. They’re just a little out-manned right now.”

He said at one point the Rebels had junior high kids on the field, and the team is down from 28 to 17 players.

“We’re going to go through some bumps and bruises and we’ve just go to learn to work through it,” Marshall said.

Marshall said he was proud of Thomas for his kick return.

He also had good words for Harrell who played quarterback and safety and handled extra points and kickoffs.

“He did the things we asked him to do,” Marshall said.

The Rebels are 1-2 on the season and host Abbeville Christian Academy next for homecoming.