Colts overcome slow start, down Rebels 46-6

HIGHLAND - The Rivercrest Colts overcame a slow start and eventually got its offense in gear in a 43-6 Conference 3-4A victory Friday at Rebel Memorial Field in Highland.

The Rebels (4-3, 2-2) would take the opening kickoff after the Colts elected to defer to the second half. Starting at their 28 yard line, Highland would grind their way steadily down field, moving all the way down to the Rivercrest two yard line. However, the Rebels possession, which lasted more than nine minutes would end in a turnover on downs at that spot when a fourth down pass would fall incomplete.

The Colts took over with 2:54 to play in the opening quarter and would run three plays, before being forced to punt, giving the ball back to the Rebels at their own 38 yard line.

The Colts Marcus Slayton prepares to dive for the goal line during the Colts 43-6 win over Highland Friday at Rebel Memorial Field. Slayton had a solid game in his return from injury. (Photo by Ana Elrod)

However, the Colts defense, led by seniors Wyatt Lancaster, Jeb Brigance and Andrew Lomack would shut the Rebels offense down, giving the ball back to the offense just over two minutes later.

The Colts offense would respond with a quick scoring drive with the score coming on a 2-yard run by Marcus Slayton which gave the Colts a 6-0 lead with 7:09 to play in the first half.

The Rebels would grind out another drive which would end in a 13-yard scoring run by Keagan Statler, which tied the game at 6-6 with 1:04 left in the half. The Colts then turned away the Rebels two point try keeping the game tied.

Highland would try an onside kick which would not go 10 yards giving the Colts the ball at the Rebels 44 yard line.

Rivercrest would need just two plays to get the ball in the end zone. Tekylun Sanders would rip off a 32- yard run which was followed by Michael Rainer’s 12-yard touchdown run making it 12-6 Colts. Koby Turner’s two-point run would make it 14-6 Rivercrest with 40 seconds remaining in the half. The Colts would take that eight point advantage to the locker room.

Rivercrest would cover Highland’s onside kick to start the second half, getting the ball at the Rebels 44 yard line. On the first play Rainer would get the snap and race through the Rebels defense to the end zone. Rainer’s pass to Slayton for the two points would make it 22-6 with 11:42 to play in the third quarter.

The Colts defense would stop the Rebels on downs a few minutes later and the Rivercrest offense would respond with a scoring drive capped by Turner’s 4-yard run which made it 28-6 with 4:06 to play in the period.

Highland would move the ball down field on its next possession reaching the Rivercrest 38 yard line. Rebel quarterback Zac Huckabee would try to thread a pass to receiver Ronnie Brewer however, the Colts Jayden Young would step in front of the pass and return it 69 yards for a score.

Rainer’s two-point run would make it 36-6 Colts with 1:29 to play in the quarter.

The Colts defense would step up again in the final period and force a Rebel turnover on downs around the 8:20 mark of the quarter. The Colts would use the opportunity to cash in one more time, as quarterback Cavonta Washington would find Budda Harris on a 37-yard scoring pass at the 6:06 mark of the final period. Josh Johnson’s point after kick would set the final score of 43-6.

Rivercrest outgained the Rebels 377-201.

Rivercrest ran the ball 28 times for 278 yards. Rainer led the Colts with 138 yards on 10 carries. Turner added 95 on 12 attempts.

The Colts defense held Highland to 179 yards rushing on 50 carries. Statler led the Rebels with 110 yards on 23 carries.

The Colts defense was paced by Lancaster’s school record 23 tackles. The senior defensive end had six tackles for a loss and two quarterback sacks. Young added nine tackles and Slayton had eight stops for the Colts.

“We made plays... we just had trouble getting the ball away from them early,” said Colts head coach Johnny Fleming. “We stopped them and then went three and out. But we eventually settled down and when we finally got on track on offense, we were okay.”

Fleming also gave kuddos to his defense. “We did well against their power game. We did a good job of keeping them in front of us, and when we had to, running them down. Wyatt (Lancaster) had a heck of a game. He did the same type things two years ago against them up here,” said Fleming. Lancaster’s 23 tackle effort broke Tyrone Henry’s near 30-year old school record of 22 stops in a single game.

The Colts (5-2, 4-0) return home to face Gosnell (4-3, 1-3). Kick off is set for 7 p.m. at Cortez Kennedy Field.