It was in 1972 when a North Sunflower Academy football team last won a state championship
However, 49 years later that piece of NSA history will have the opportunity to be changed if this current group of Rebels should win this Friday's 2A State Playoff semi-final game.
However, this Friday there is an 11-0 Prairie View Academy Spartans football team standing between the Rebels and a state championship game appearance.
Requiring a trip to Bastrop, Louisiana, the 9-3 NSA squad has advanced into their upcoming 7 p.m. semi-final clash by defeating Newton County Academy last Friday in Decatur.
That successful venture saw the Rebels hand the Generals a 60-32 second round playoff loss.
In this Friday's first-ever football meeting between NSA and PVA, the Rebels will take on a Spartans squad which NSA Head Coach Ricky Smither noted, "Is one of the best teams we will play all year. They are an experienced ball club full of seniors with size and speed."
As for his team, which has already accumulated more NSA victories in a season since 2004, Coach Smither exclaimed, "I am very, very proud of the guys. Been a while since our school has had this much success but hopefully it will continue."
Meanwhile, last week the PVA Spartans earned their way into this week's clash with NSA by defeating Humphreys Academy of Belzoni last Friday by a 51-14 margin.
In comparison, the Rebels defeated that same HA team by a 64-36 score in week four of the current season. The only other common opponent shared this year by NSA and PVA was Lee (Ark.) Academy.
While the Rebels claimed a 66-32 decision in week two, the Spartans defeated the Arkansas squad by a 40-6 margin in week nine.
Should the NSA Rebels win this Friday night, they will move on to the 2A State Championship game to be played November 19 at Jackson Academy.
That 11 a.m. contest would see the Rebels taking the field against the winner of this Friday's Manchester Academy (Yazoo City) - Claiborne Academy (Haynesville, La.) semi-final game.
In last Friday's second round victory over Newton County Academy, the Rebels rode the five touchdown effort of D.D. Williams to help fuel their win over the Generals.
The Rebels' offense also benefited from the play of quarterback Nick Billhofer, who ended his night's play by having a hand in 22 of NSA's points scored.
In spite of the final score, the win was far from being easily earned.
Despite owning a commanding 38-18 halftime lead, the Rebels lost their momentum in the third period as the Generals scored a pair of unanswered third quarter touchdowns.
With the fourth quarter beginning and NSA nursing a narrow 38-32 lead, the Rebels forcefully responded with three unanswered touchdowns to take the game to itsen final 28 point margin.
By game's end, the fleet-footed Williams had scored on scoring runs of 21, 2, 52, 35, and 38 yards against the Newton County Academy defense.
Under center, Billhofer added a 61 yard scoring run to his 13 yard touchdown pass to Junior Washington.
Billhofer also proved adept at executing two point conversion attempts. The senior completed three passes to Corey Coleman, two more to Washington, and then ran one in himself.
Also crossing the goal line this night was Brian Coleman with his two yard TD run.
Statistically, Williams rushed 22 times for 287 yards and his five touchdowns to lead the NSA ground game.
Billhofer completed five of his 10 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Rebels were led by Williams' three solo tackles, 11 assists, and a pass interception.
However, Brandon Daniel was close behind with his three solo, nine assists, and a fumble recovery night of play.
Also making their presence known were Quando Townsend (2 solos, 10 assists, sack), Brian Coleman (2 solos, 7 assists, sack), and Trevor Parks (9 assists, 1 sack).
An unusual defensive stat also emerged in this game when defensive lineman Cam Clark intercepted a Generals pass to help set up one of the Rebels' fourth quarter touchdowns.
