Rebels score in final minute to remain undefeated

 The Leake Academy Rebels improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the district Friday night as they scored in the last minute to defeat Starkville Academy 49-45 in prep football action.

If you like offense, this game was for you. Combined, Leake Academy and Starkville finished with 1,077 total yards.

The Rebels rushed for 298 yards on 35 carries while completing 10-of-15 passes for 234 yards. Leake Academy had 27 first downs and three turnovers, one interception and two lost fumbles. The Rebels were penalized nine times for 90 yards.

Starkville Academy finished with 377 rushing yards on 55 carries and completed 10-of-22 passes for 168. The Volunteers had 36 first downs and no turnovers. They were penalized four times for 45 yards.

“For the fans, it was a great game to watch,” said coach Brian Pickens. “For the coaches, it was a little stressful.

“Starkville really got after us. Our group responded to the challenge. We prepared to play this week, and we’ll have to be ready to play another good team next week. When you are winning, you know the other teams are getting ready for you.”

The Rebels got on the scoreboard first as Whitt Welch ran 43 yards for a touchdown with 8:25 left in the first quarter. Cole Arthur kicked the extra point and the Rebels led 7-0.

Starkville Academy scored three straight touchdowns on runs of one yard, 20 yards and four yards to take a 21-7 lead with 11:53 left in the second quarter.

Leake Academy put points on the scoreboard when quarterback Rhett Atkinson connected with Levi Brown on a 40-yard TD pass. Arthur kicked the extra point and the Volunteers led 21-14 with 10:39 left in the second quarter.

The Volunteers kicked a 34-yard field goal and then scored another touchdown on an 18-yard run. The kick was good and Starkville led 31-14 with 2:59 left in the half.

Atkinson found Brown on a 29-yard TD pass with 1:39 left in the half. Arthur kicked the extra point and Starkville Academy led 31-21 at the half.

Leake Academy then made it a three-point game as Welch scored on a five-yard run. Arthur’s kick was good and the Rebels trailed 31-28

Starkville scored a touchdown on a three-yard run to go back up by 10, 38-28, with 6:29 left in the third quarter.

Leake Academy then scored two touchdowns in a row to take the lead. First Canon Parks scored on a four-run with 4:34 left in the quarter. Arthur’s kick made it 38-35 in favor of the Volunteers.

Then Atkinson connected with Brow on a 53-yard TD pass play. Arthur kicked the extra point and the Rebels led 42-38 with 10:51 left to play.

Starkville retook the lead on a four-yard with 3:35 left to play. The extra point kick was good and the Volunteers led 45-42.

Leake Academy took the kickoff and drove down the field. Welch scored the winning touchdown on a two-yard run. Arthur’s kick was god and the Rebels held on to win the game, 49-45.

Welch was the leading rusher with 136 yards on 14 carries, while Parks had 132 yards on 14 carries. Atkinson had all of the Rebels’ passing yards. Brown had three catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Thomas Cheatham finished with seven catches for 112 yards. He also returned a kickoff 45 yards.

Riley Myers and Parker Thomas both had 14 tackles. Cade Marble finished with 12 tackles while Ethan Dunn had 10, Nick Gomillion had nine and Jake Brown had eight.

The Rebels will visit Park Place, The Crusaders come in a 2-2. They lost a 25-0 decision to Lamar last Friday.