UPDATE!! The Rebels defeated the Pascagoula Panthers 43-40 in a nail-biter game. The Rebels came from behind a 19-point deficit. Junior Deuce Knight passed to Senior Marlin Odom with the winning touchdown with less than 45 seconds left in the game.
The Rebels will host Terry High School next Friday night at Gill-Martin Stadium for the first round of the state playoffs. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.
After fighting hard but ultimately losing against the reigning state champion Picayune, the football team is working hard to finish strong in the playoffs.
Currently, the team is the No.2 seed, and in order to maintain this rating and avoid traveling for playoffs, defeating Pascagoula tonight is essential.
Comparing the current results with last year’s, there has been a large amount of improvement, as opposed to last year’s only two victories against Long Beach and West Harrison. The overall record is currently 7-3, and the district record is 3-1. This improvement is said to be due to the experience that last year’s players have gained, as well as the new players’ dedication.
Even with this success, the team still hopes to improve in many areas, especially with keeping a consistently high score throughout the entire game.
“We want to get better every day,” head coach James Ray said. “I don’t think we as a team have peaked yet.”
The players have shown much dedication and intend to be a positive influence for fellow team members, whether it be during their frequent practices or while playing major games.
“I try to remind everyone that one loss isn’t going to stop us .” quarterback Deuce Knight said.
Knight has 786 passing yards, and has scored seven touchdowns in five games.
“You can come up from one loss any time.” running back Jacobe Street said.
Street leads the team with 754 rushing yards, averaging 75.4 per game. He has scored six rushing touchdowns.
Unfortunately, the rebels are now on probation due to an altercation at the end of the Hattiesburg game. If they are found to be in violation of one more of the Mississippi High School Activities Association rules, they will be unable to participate in playoffs. According to Ray, our team did not initiate the conflict, but the probation was still issued to both teams.
Some other leaders on the team include junior Montrell Dortch, with 43.5 receiving yards per game, and junior Blaine Green with an average of 11.6 tackles. Junior Caison Little has three sacks, and senior Marlin Odom has six interceptions.
Tonight’s game against Pascagoula will determine if the rebels will host or travel for the first round of the state playoffs next week. A win will have the rebels at home at Gill-Martin next Friday night.
