PREP FOOTBALL: Reeltown shuts down Vincent in first round

REELTOWN — The No. 1 Reeltown Rebels overcame a sluggish first quarter, found their running game and dismantled the Vincent offense to win their first-round playoff game 33-0 at Nix-Webster Stadium.

Rebel head coach Jackie O’Neal credited the Yellow Jackets.

“They caused our sluggishness, and their kids came out and fought,” O’Neal said. “I told their coach I’d never seen a team so beat up.”

Vincent running back LaDammion Rogers found creases in the Rebel defense, gaining 38 yards on seven carries in the first quarter. Miscues dogged Reeltown, as the Rebels botched two center-quarterback exchanges, lost two fumbles and only made two first downs.

“The botched exchanges bothered me,” said O’Neal. “At this point in the season, that should be automatic.”

With the game scoreless, Reeltown took possession at its 42-yard line as the second quarter began. The Rebels unleashed their fleet of running backs, running the ball six times in succession. Quarterback Milton Chambliss found Dara Riley, who leaped and shielded the defender for 7 yards. On the next play, Ki-shawn Powell crashed into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown to make the score 7-0 with 6:48 left in the second quarter.

Reeltown’s ferocity and intensity on defense swelled, as they tackled Yellow Jacket runners for losses on five of their eight offensive plays in the second quarter and forced them to punt twice. They stymied Rogers, holding him to 6 yards on four carries.

On the ensuing drive, Chambliss fired a pass that Trey McKeithen caught in stride for a 45-yard touchdown. The PAT failed, and it was 13-0 at halftime.

Vincent forced the Rebels into a three-and-out and took possession at its 40-yard line. On Vincent’s first play, Willie McKenzie intercepted quarterback Anterior Rogers’ pass. After the teams traded possessions, McKeithen fired through a hole, juked one defender at the 10-yard line and scored a 68-yard touchdown, Powell scored the 2-point conversion, increasing the lead to 21-0 with 9:15 remaining in the third quarter.

About five minutes later, Ardarius Kelley blasted up the middle for a 30-yard touchdown run with 4:59 left in the quarter, pushing the advantage to 27-0.

Reeltown’s defense remained stubborn, holding Vincent to minus-4 yards rushing in the third quarter.

Devonta Eddings burst off left tackle, stiff-armed a defender and raced to the corner of the end zone for a touchdown with 11:50 left in the game. The lead was 33-0, which was the final score.

A bit of suspense emerged when Reeltown snapped the ball over the punter’s head late in the game. Vincent took over at the Rebel 10-yard line. Hungry for the shutout, the Rebels dug in. They stuffed a run for a 3-yard loss, and defended three passes to take over on downs.

McKeithen led Reeltown with 98 yards on six carries, and one touchdown.

Powell chipped in with 62 yards on eight carries with one touchdown and one 2-point conversion.

Reeltown hosts St. Jude next Friday. The Pirates beat Hale County, 36-34.