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By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal
The Central High School Lions were breathing rarefied air Friday night with a 22-14 Class 2A Region 3 victory over Zion Chapel at home.
The Lions, who who had endured five winless seasons (between 2007 and 2013) claimed their third win since 2007 and their second win back-to-back in 2014 at home.
Last year the Lions defeated Zion Chapel on the road 38-12 to claim their first win since 2007. They claimed their second win since 2007 on Sept. 26 of this year with a 34-14 win over Autaugaville. And Friday night, Zion Chapel found itself with the dubious honor of losing to the Lions two years in a row.
Getting the win Friday, however, was made tough by a furious Zion Chapel fourth quarter comeback.
Central led 22-0 after three quarters. But the Rebels scored a touchdown and added the point after with 5:57 left in the game to make it a 22-7 contest. And when the Lions fumbled the ensuing kickoff, the Rebels wasted little time making it a 22-14 contest at the 4:46 mark of the fourth quarter.
After the Lions were forced to punt, giving the Rebels yet another chance to score, it took an Alex Bryant interception with about 38 seconds left on the clock to preserve the victory.
The Lions are now 2-3 overall and 1-3 in Class 2A Region 6.
A happy Central head football coach James Bibb Jr. said following the win that even he could not say when the Lions had last won two games in a row. “I’m so happy for the whole Central-Hayneville family,” he said, “not just the football team. It’s been a long time coming. I’m so proud of my boys… we lost one of good players with a finger injury in the first half, Marcus Mitchell, and our back was against the wall.”
Bibb said his team now has to get ready for a good team in regional opponent Goshen on the road next week, but he said he was “super proud” of his team.
The pass intercepted by Bryant to save the game was his second of the night for the Lions. He intercepted one in the first quarter and ran it back 95 yards for a touchdown. The other two Central High touchdowns were scored by Mitchell on a 20-yard run and a 12-yard pass reception.
For good measure, Mitchell also scored two 2-point conversions for the Lions.
While Bibb recognized the play of Bryant and Mitchell, he said, “I want to credit my entire defense. The entire defense played superb tonight.”
In other Lowndes County football action:
The Calhoun Tigers fell to 0-6 overall and 0-4 in Class 2A Region 6 with a 48-6 loss to the Luverne Tigers on the road.
Jemarcus Davison scored on an 80-yard kickoff return for Calhoun on the first play of the game. But that proved Calhoun’s only score.
While Calhoun head football coach Dewayne Williams said his team made some big plays, Friday night, he said his Tigers “could not overcome the turnovers.”
The Calhoun Tigers will travel to play Highland Home in a regional contest this coming Friday.
The Southern Academy Cougars broke the hearts of the Lowndes Academy Rebels by spoiling homecoming 40-38, Friday night.
The Rebels led this contest 26-20 at the half, but could not hold on for the win.
Cody Harrell was a standout for Lowndes Academy going 18 of 25 for 321 yards passing. He also had 93 yards rushing and scored on three touchdown runs.
Harrell also passed for two touchdowns, one to Wade Howard for 53 yards and a 90-yard pass to Brandon Reid.
Thomas Ward scored for the Rebels on a 40-yard run.
On this night, it was several holding calls that brought back some long runs for the Rebels.
Harrell led the Rebels with 12 tackles and had 71 yards in kick returns; Gray Johnson had five tackles and four assists; and Owen Nall had three tackles with seven assists.
The Loss to regional foe Southern, drops the Rebels to 0-6 overall and 0-4 in region play.
The Lowndes Academy 2014 Homecoming Court includes: Seventh Grade Attendant Emma Lane Casey of Hope Hull; Eighth Grade Attendant Anna-Grace Allen Gothard of Hope Hull; Ninth Grade Attendant Avery Caroline Morgan of Hayneville 10 Grade attendant Keri Ward of Lowndesboro; 11 Grade Attendant Peyton Chase Pouncey of Hayneville; 12 Grade Attendant Madeline Elizabeth Gothard of Hope Hull; Crownbearers Casey Drew Pouncey of Pleasant Hill and Grant Dallas Casey of Hope Hull; Elementary Queen and King Carley Isabella Marvin of Mount Willing and Jake Colton Hooper of Montgomery; and 2014 Homecoming Queen Queen Caroline Ivey Bennett of Hayneville.
Lowndes Academy will travel to play Sparta in another Class A Region 1 contest this coming Friday.