It is late October and postseason competition will begin tonight for the North Sunflower Academy Rebels football team.
Taking a long drive today to Bens Ford Christian School in Bogalusa, Louisiana, the 4-5 Rebels begin round one of the 2A State Playoffs against the 6-2 Eagles.
Kickoff for this first-ever football game between these two schools is set for 7 p.m. today.
Riding a two-game win streak, the Rebels are fresh off last Friday’s 64-8 pummeling of visiting Hillcrest Christian School of Jackson in the final regular season game of the year.
Meanwhile, the District 4-2A Eagles from Louisiana completed their regular season two weeks ago and enjoyed an open date last Friday.
The Rebels enter tonight’s game as the number nine seed in 2A while the Eagles come in as the number eight seed among this class of eight-man football teams.
There have been two common opponents played by NSA and Bens Ford this season.
While the Rebels dropped a 42-12 decision to Newton County Academy, the Eagles were handed a 56-14 loss by that same team.
Hillcrest Christian School also suffered a loss to tonight’s opposing teams. While NSA recorded its 64-8 victory last Friday night over the Cougars, five weeks ago Bens Ford earned a 56-22 decision over the Jackson-based school.
The winner of tonight’s contest will move on to next Friday’s second round where number one seed DeSoto School of West Helena, Arkansas lies in wait.
In last Friday’s home-field victory over Hillcrest Christian School, the Rebels scored three of their nine touchdowns on the defensive side of the ball.
Up by a 48-8 score by the end of the first quarter, the NSA squad eventually took a 50-8 score to the dressing room at halftime.
Tacking on their final 14 points over the course of the second half of the game, the Rebels cruised on to their lopsided victory.
Offensively, the Rebels were led by Anquon Townsend who rushed only five times and amassed 166 yards and three touchdowns.
The junior’s scoring runs covered 38, 13, and 34 yards.
Adding a 35-yard touchdown run was quarterback Bryce Redwine while offensive lineman Nathan Wooten also found the end zone with a carry which covered two yards.
On the other side of the ball, pass interceptions by Zack Walker and Cam Clark resulted in the pair returning both picks for 50-yard touchdown runs.
Seph Correro was also in on the defensive scoring as he scooped up a Cougars’ fumble and raced 45 yards for the score.
NSA special teams took part in the scoring parade as well when Miller Green returned a Hillcrest punt 36 yards for yet another NSA touchdown.
