By Lanell Downs Smith

The Crenshaw Christian Academy (CCA) Cougars hosted Lowndes Academy Friday and sustained a hard-fought 31-13 loss to the Rebels, who left Luverne with the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) 2A Region 1 championship title.

On the first turnover, CCA’s Grant Taylor completed a 32-yard rush for the Cougar’s first touchdown. The Rebels’ Bradyn Stokes answered it with a touchdown run to advance Lowndes Academy’s edge to 14-7.

Cougars’ head coach, Brandon Burleson said the Cougars met the Rebels with heart, knowing they have what it takes to be a serious contender for their area rival with the reputation for winning.

“We just made too many mistakes at pivotal times of the game,” Burleson said. “But the kids really responded. We’ve had a tough last couple of weeks and they knew Lowndes was coming in here at full steam. It proves we can play with anybody.”

Huston Hampton put the first Rebel points on the board with the first possession, completing a 19-yard dash to the endzone. An extra-point attempt from Watters Box was true, establishing a Lowndes Academy 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.

“We started out good,” said Lowndes Academy Head Coach Shane Moye. “We scored on the first drive on the first drive and they scored right back.”

The two region rivals battled for a first down in the second quarter before Jeremy Hardy dashed 23 yards for the Rebels’ next score. Hardy teamed up with Crawford Dansby and Stokes, who called his own number to widen the Rebels’ advantage to 28-7 entering the locker room at halftime.

“We got up to 28-7 and kind of stalled out in the second half,” Moye said. “Crenshaw had a good plan for us. They did a great job. They are tough boys with good timing.”

The Cougars’ Jake Lawrence rushed for CCA’s next touchdown with 9:54 remaining in the third quarter. Stokes nearly entered the end zone again with a long run across the field, but a holding penalty against Lowndes destroyed the gain along with the Rebels’ aim for another touchdown.

With just 2:47 left in the game, Box kicked a good field goal, putting up another three points to capture the 31-13 Rebel win.

“Waters Box worked hard out there tonight,” Moye said.”We got a gut check too. We’ve gotta get better, faster. I know we won the game, but I feel like the Cougars were a little tougher than us. We just found a way to win, so hopefully we can get it together this week.”

Burlson said the Cougars expected a challenge from the undefeated Rebels.

“We had a good game plan,” Burleson said. “We just didn’t quite execute the way we wanted to. But I really appreciate the effort the guys put in. We’ll get right back to work Sunday.”

With another trip to state playoffs in their sights, the Rebels prepare to go on the road against Valiant Cross on Thursday at the Alabama State University practice field.

The Cougars, now 4-4, travel to face Chambers Academy Friday.