The Philadelphia Tornadoes emerged victorious against the Rebels of Scott County in a demoralizing last-quarter defeat of the season.
Technically the underdogs, the Tornadoes are ranked 2nd in the 2A division and the Rebels are still ranked 1st in 2A. The match was tight and, due to some special teams missteps, both teams gave up some unfortunate points to the other.
The challenges the Rebels faced against Philly were, as Coach Jim Nowell said, that “The Tornadoes are a big and physical team. We had four special team blunders that led to three TD’s.”
In the first quarter, the Rebels blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, but the point after touchdown kick was missed. Philly answered with a 24-yard rushing touchdown by Cortney Smith and Lideatrick Griffin rushed to convert for two points. Scott Central’s T.J. Wash scored a 22-yard rushing touchdown, but the Rebels once again fail to earn a point after touchdown. The score at the end of the first quarter was Scott Central 12, Philly 8.
The Rebels increased their lead in the second quarter with a five-yard reception from Wash to McDonald, and the same duo completed a pass to convert for two points. Because the Tornadoes were kept from scoring in the second quarter by the Rebels, the score at the end of the half was Scott Central 20, Philly 8, but the lead would switch hands in the second half.
The second half opening kickoff by Scott Central would be returned for a 91-yard touchdown by Philly, though the conversion for two points was stopped. Shortly after, Philly blocked a punt which was returned for a touchdown, and the Rebels kept the two-point conversion from being completed. The Rebels made a 32-yard reception from Wash to Jordan Strong for a passing touchdown, but the point after kick was missed. Philly returned yet another kick off for a 75-yard touchdown, and failed to convert for two again. The score at the end of the third quarter was Scott Central 26, Philly 26.
Coach Nowell had this to say about what went right for the Rebels: “We played tough on defense. We took a 20-8 lead in the half.” With the disastrous special teams mishaps, the Tornadoes whirled in to take the lead back.
The fourth quarter clinched the victory for Philadelphia. The score was tied going into the final quarter of a very close match. Philly took the lead with a 4-yard rushing touchdown, and a failed two-point conversion attempt. Scott Central was unable to answer with a score of their own, so the game was over with Scott Central trailing by one touchdown, 26, to Philly’s 32.
When asked whether the cold weather of this autumn season has affected the Rebels, Coach Jim Nowell said that, “Weather was definitely a factor Fridy night for both teams. We must do a better job because it’s gonna get colder the further we go in the playoffs.”
The loss for the Rebels comes at a crucial time in the season as the first round of the 2017 MSHAA Football Championship begins this week. Scott Central will have to gird their resolve going into the championship if they are to make it past round one.
As for what is next for the Rebels, Coach Nowell said, “We host East Webster in a first-round playoff game this Friday.”
Good luck to the Rebels, and all the other Scott County schools.
