The Carroll Academy Rebels picked up right where they left off last year as they faced their first on-the-field competition of the 2020 football season.
The Rebels played two 20-minute running quarters and took a 14-7 win over Clinton Christian and a 6-0 win over Central Hinds.
Head coach Bo Milton was glad to see his team line up against another opponent.
“First off, I thought we had great effort and that was the goal,” Milton said. “We thought it would be a little bit sloppy and there was some of that. I was pleased and thought we saw some good things. We picked up the running game and some things in the passing game we can work on.”
Against Clinton Christian, the Rebels took the ball on their first possession and drove 70 yards in eight plays as Mathis Beck scored on a 31-yard run with 13:10 left in the period. Brennan Blaylock hit Noah Beck for the two-point conversion and Carroll led 8-0.
After Clinton Christian turned the ball over on downs, the Rebels went 39 yards in three plays as Lofton Holly scored on a 13-yard run with 3:54 left in the period. The PAT failed and Carroll led 14-0.
“I thought we controlled the ball in both scrimmages,” Milton said. “I thought the trap games worked really well and that sets up everything else in our offense. When that’s working, the middle linebacker can’t go flying out of there.”
Clinton Christian did find the end zone on a 45-yard pass play late in the period for their only score to cut the score to 14-7.
“I thought we did a pretty good job against the run,” Milton said. “We didn’t give up anything major against the run. We gave up some things on the pass. But they needed to see some high school speed and I think that will help our kids get better this week.
In the second period, the Rebels took a 6-0 win over Central Hinds. The Rebels got the ball to start the period and went 70 yards in eight plays with Hunter Brackin scoring on a 3-yard run. The try for two failed and Carroll led 6-0, a score they maintained for the remainder of the period.
“I thought we got a little tired versus Central Hinds,” Milton said. “I thought we were able to get some fresh legs in the game with our skill people. I think the line will continue to get better and we will work on some conditioning to be a little bit better prepared for a four-quarter game.”
The Rebels will open the regular season this week as they travel to Kirk Academy, a team they beat 37-7 last year. The Rebels rushed for 342 yards while Brackin had 163 yards on 18 carries. But Milton expects a tough game from the Raiders this year.
“They are a much improved team,” Milton said. “They have a good quarterback who started last year. They have some big kids on both sides of the ball. We look for them to be more physical than last year. I know we will have our work cut out for us. We have to come out and be ready to play a really good football game this Friday.”
