COLUMBIA — After a strong start, the Mid-Carolina High School Rebels fell to Keenan Friday night 19-17.
After the kickoff return, the Rebels scored their first touchdown of the night, bringing the score to 7-0. A 35 yard field goal brought the score to 10-0 for the Rebels with 8:30 left in the second quarter.
Just before the half, Keenan scores two touchdowns. The PAT’s were no good, bringing Keenan on top 12-10 leading into halftime.
The Rebels would remain scoreless in the third quarter as Keenan scored yet another touchdown, leading 19-10.
With 7:30 left in the game, the Rebels put another touchdown on the board. However, those would be the final points scored of the game.
Overall, Head Coach Louie Alexander said there was a great effort made by the team Friday night.
“We were very physical,” Alexander said.
Offensively, Alexander said the Rebels simply needed to make plays in certain situations. However, the team had another good week defensively against Keenan.
“Our big guys played really well,” Alexander said.
Alexander said they will have to catch the ball plus run and block better next week.
“We have to put ourselves in better down and distance situations offensively,” Alexander said. “Our overall execution must be better as well.”
Defensively for next week, Alexander said the team will need to work on making its gang tackle better and getting 11 to the ball.
“Keenan converted two fourth and ones to keep drives alive,” Alexander said of Friday. “A special teams mistake in the punt game cost us big time in a crucial situation.”
Alexander said the Rebels played a full four quarters of football Friday night, just came up on the short end of the stick.
Terrell Long injured his shin and knee during Friday’s game, but everyone else was pretty healthy.
This Friday night, the Rebels travel to Columbia to play Columbia with a kickoff time of 7:30 p.m.