Rebels Stumble against Bowling Green

By Patrick Tate

    The first day of something resembling football weather saw the Central Private Rebels travel to Franklinton to face the Bowling Green Buccaneers in a non district contest.  The Bucs were able to have Hunter Thomas return to action after missing the previous two weeks due to a concussion.  The Rebels were with out leading tackler and middle linebacker Chuck Conrad who suffered the same ailment.  Thomas' return proved to be huge as he rushed for 248-yards including a 71 yard gallop into the endzone that proved to be the difference in the Bucs 18-16 victory.

    The Rebels were able to string together a six play, 35-yard drive to end the first quarter with an 8-0 lead.  Ryan Bowman who had two interceptions on the evening finished the drive with a 14 yard sprint around left end for the score.  Quarterback Luke Fryoux who probably had his best night throwing the football, found Bowman in the endzone for the 2pt conversion.  Fryoux who finished the night 10-19 for 133 yards completed two passes on the drive for 35 yards. Zack LeBlanc had one of the catches for 17 yards and Lance Wicker hauled in a 16 yard reception. 

    The Bucs led by Thomas answered the score with a 58 yard scoring drive of their own.  Thomas had 55 yards rushing on the drive before the fullback Joe Fontleroy crashed in from 6 yards away.  The PAT was missed and CPS held on to an 8-6 lead. 

    The Rebels were able to convert again on their next drive as Bowman scored from 8 yard away after a 69 yard, 7 play drive.  The big play came on a 26 yard Fryoux toss to Taylor Fletcher.  Fryoux was also to scramble in for the 2pt conversion. 

    A late charge by the Bucs after a fumble by CP was ended short of the goal line as the first half ran out.  Cody Overstreet, Orin Byland, and Joey Harris made stops behind the line on the drive. 

Bowling Green took the second half kick and traveled to the CP 6 yard line before Harris made two big stops which forced the Bucs to attempt a 28-yard field goal which was wide left.  The drive left the Rebels deep in their own territory and on a fourth down punt attempt, the Bucs led by Lee Smith were able to block the kick which Smith fell on for the Bucs second score.  The PAT was not good and CP held to a 16-12 lead. 

    The lead lasted until the 3:07 mark of the fourth quarter when Thomas broke through the middle for a 71-yard score.  After the missed extra point the Rebels began a last minute effort to pull out the win.  Although Fryoux was able to connect on 4 passes on the drive including 2 to Jacob Carter, the drive ended short and the Bucs claimed an 18-16 victory.

Central Private needs to quickly forget this ball game as a large district game with play-off implications is on the schedule for Friday night in Natchez Mississippi as the Rebels clash with Adams County Christian.

Photo by Selser Photography