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By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal
There were fireworks in the sky and on the football field in Hayneville Friday night.
Lowndes Academy defeated regional opponent Jackson Academy in overtime in a rain delayed contest 48-42.
The contest, which was set to begin at 7 p.m., did not get underway until about 8:15 p.m. due to lightning.
And while Lowndes Academy junior quarterback Wade Howard and senior wide receiver David Hussey were outstanding, it was Junior running back Brandon Reid who proved to be the difference maker.
Howard went 11 for 17 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown. He had a 1-yard run for a touchdown, completed a 4-yard pass to David Hussey for a touchdown, and completed two 2-point conversion passes.
Hussey had seven catches for 80 yards and a touchdown and had 133 yards in kickoff returns.
Reid, however, rushed 25 times for four touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime. He also returned an Eagles fumble 50 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 42-all in regulation. And in addition to catching two two 2-point conversion passes, Reid scrambled for 40 yards on a kickoff return.
Junior wide receiver John Taylor had one catch for 13 yards and completed a pass for a 2-point conversion. Senior wide receiver Gray Johnson had one catch for 13 yards and a catch for a 2-point conversion. And sophomore wide receiver Brian Rayburn had two catches for 18 yards.
“The kids played hard. I mean we went through the ebbs and flows of the game. I think our conditioning was huge tonight,” said first year Lowndes Academy head football coach Bob Taylor.
The Rebels had 243 yards rushing and 123 yards passing. Lowndes Academy also had 177 yards in kickoff returns.
The Rebels drew first blood at the 10:24 mark of the first quarter on Reid’s 22-yard run. But the Eagles tied the contest at 6-6 at the 10:11 mark of the first quarter on a kickoff return.
The Rebels took the lead again 12-6 on Howard’s 1-yard run at the 6:18 mark of the first stanza. But the Eagles struck back with 2:32 left in the quarter to tie things up at 12-12.
But with about 13 second left in the first quarter, Howard hit Hussey on a 4-yard pass for the a touchdown. And Taylor managed to hit Reid for the 2-point conversion to put the Rebels up 20-12.
Reid would score again for the Rebels on a 3-yard run at the 3:47 mark of the second quarter. And Howard would connect with Johnson for the 2-point play to put the Rebels up 28-12.
Just as Rebels fans were beginning to relax, however, the Eagles “stormed” back scoring at the 3:17 mark of the second quarter and again again with 1:08 left in the half to knot things up at 28-28.
But like the lightning fireworks before the game, Reid put the Rebels back on top 34-38 via a 20-yard run with about 10 seconds left in the half.
The second half proved just as taxing on the Rebels’ fans. The Eagles tied the score at 34-34 at the 7:31 mark of the third quarter. They took the lead at the 3:17 mark of the third quarter and added the 2-point conversion for good measure to go up 42-34.
But just as things were at their bleakest for the Rebels, Reid returned a Jackson Academy fumble 50 yards for a touchdown. And Howard hit Reid on the 2-point play to tie things at 42-42 at the 6:09 mark of the fourth quarter.
The Rebels would go on to win in overtime on Reid’s 8-yard run and a stingy Rebels’ defense that would keep Jackson Academy out of the end zone.
Lowndes Academy will host Wilcox Academy at home this Friday in a non-regional tilt.
In other Lowndes County football actin, Calhoun fell at home to Autaugaville 38-0 in a non-regional contest. And Central fell to Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School on the road 40-6 in a non-regional contest.
Calhoun head football coach Dewayne Williams said his team played “timid” in a contest that saw two of his starters hurt in the third quarter. He said both “left in the ambulance.”
Williams said his team had “too many turnovers” and “lack of discipline.”
He said Demarco Jiles suffered a hip injury and Demetrius Smith suffered a dislocated ankle.
Central first year head football coach Martez Graham said the Lion’s lone score came on a kickoff return by Maleak Hill. He said his quarterback, Keegan Blackman, threw three interceptions.
Calhoun will travel to play New Brockton in a regional contest Friday. And Central will play Highland Home on the road Friday in a regional contest.