PREP FOOTBALL: Ashford brothers have big night in Chambers loss

To view a photo slideshow of this game, click here.

LAFAYETTE — The Chambers Academy Rebels’ matchup against the Ashford Academy Falcons presented a simple playoff scenario to the home team.

Win, and your playoff hopes are still alive.

Lose, and you go home.

The Falcons (4-6, 4-4 AISA Class A-Region 1) ended the Rebels’ season in dramatic fashion, as the Ashford defense stopped Rebel running back Chris Ashford short of the goal line on a 2-point conversion attempt in overtime to pull out a thrilling, 56-55 win in what proved to be a seesaw affair at Tolbert Stadium on Friday night.

“We kind of struggled all year with injuries, and there was a lot of adversity,” Ashford coach Paul McLean said. “I thought we were better than the three wins we had, and we put it on the line tonight.”

Chambers Academy (4-6, 3-5) jumped out to an early 14-0 lead in the first half, but the Falcons fought their way back in the second half to claim a 32-27 lead, their first of the contest, with 7:08 left in the third quarter on Preston Harris’ 1-yard touchdown plunge.

The Rebels reclaimed the lead on their next possession as Ashford scored from a yard out with 3:23 remaining the third quarter to give Chambers a 35-32 lead.

The lead changed hands two more times in the second half as Chambers held a 49-46 lead with 2:04 left in the game.

Ashford’s offense took over at its own 24-yard line and drove the ball 49 yards to the Rebel 25-yard line to set up kicker Ian Allen’s 42-yard field goal attempt with 9 seconds remaining.

The junior split the uprights with his kick to tie the score at 49, sending the Ashford sideline into a frenzy and the game into overtime.

“(Allen) is pretty consistent from about 40 (yards) in, and I’m never scared to put him to win the game or tie it up, ever,” McLean said.

The Falcons received the ball first in the extra frame and wasted little time taking the lead, as senior Rafael Truett took the handoff and raced around right end for a

10-yard touchdown scamper to give Ashford a 56-49 lead.

The Rebel offense answered as Ashford sprinted through the middle of the Falcon defense on the offense’s second play of the possession for an 11-yard touchdown run.

Chambers head coach Jason Allen ordered his offense to go for the 2-point conversion and the win, but Ashford was stopped at the line of scrimmage for no gain.

Ashford and his brother and fellow backfield mate, Brandon Ashford, shined in the loss for the Rebel offense as the duo combined to rush for 582 yards and eight touchdowns.

Chris had 34 carries for 336 yards while Brandon rushed for 246 yards on 29 carries.

“They’ve been remarkable,” Allen said.

The 2009 season is in the books for Chambers Academy, but Allen believes the future is bright for his Rebels.

“We got to get this thing going,” Allen said. “We feel like we’ve got a great future ahead of us.”