Before the 2018 season began the Scott Central Rebels’ defense was expected to be stout and the teams most dominant unit. This was the case due to the senior leadership and the scoring talent the Rebel offense lost to graduation after last season’s 11-2 run.
Two games into the new season the Rebel defense is meeting, and possibly exceeding expectations led by a trio of ball-hawks, made-up of Seniors Navonteque Strong and Vontae McDonald along with underclassman LaJavis Patrick. These three have combined for 62 total tackles with 21 of those tackles coming behind the line of scrimmage while leading a defense that has taken the ball away from the opponent nine times in two games.
With their defense playing like they are, the Rebels could have withstood their offense getting off to a slow start, but that is not what has happened as the Rebel offense has started the season on fire and hitting on all cylinders. Over the first eight quarters of the season the SC offense, guided by sophomore Trevon Wash, has scored 72 points while averaging 36 points per game.
First year SC head coach Devin Cooper could not have hoped for his team to come out of the gate any better, but he knew his team faced a tough game last Thursday night as Scott County neighbors the Morton Panthers came calling.
Scott Central wasted no time jumping on the visiting Panthers as the Rebel offense went to work on a dry field this week putting up 22 first quarter points while the defense held Morton scoreless for the first 12 minutes of the game. As the first quarter horn sounded the outmatched panthers found themselves in a deep 22-0 hole on the road.
In the second quarter the SC offense continued to run away from the Panthers defense as they scored 13 points. The Rebel defense finally relented by allowing a touchdown gallup by Morton workhorse Von Jennings. Morton’s lone standout of the night, Jennings gained 73 hard fought yards on 21 carries and accounted for 114 all purpose yards. Even with Jennings finding the endzone the Rebels extended their lead and headed into the locker room at halftime with a four-touchdown lead.
After the teams returned from halftime only the Rebels would make their way to the football promised land the entire second-half. The homestanding Rebels added six more points to their insurmountable 41-7 which would close out the scoring for the game as SC began emptying the benches in the fourth quarter. The game would end with the Rebels securing another impressive win, a win in which they dominated their opponent in all three phases of the game.
The Rebel defense turned in another strong performance allowing only 114 yards of total offense and srven first downs on 57 Morton snaps and forcing three turnovers.
LaJavis Patrick was again one of the anchors of the defense as he turned in a 10-tackle night with two fumble recoveries one of which he scooped up and took in for a touchdown.
Leading the SC offense QB Trevon Wash was 4 of 7 for 79 yards and one TD through the air. On the ground the Rebels were led by Vontae McDonald with seven carries for 67 yards and two TDs, and he added two catches for 58 yards and one TD. Rebel kicker K. Manuel Hernandez was perfect on the night with 5-for-5 on PATs and remained perfect for the season at 8-for-8.
With the loss the Morton Panthers fell to 0-2 on the year but will look to rebound and get their first win this Friday at 7:00 p.m. when they host a tough Bay Springs team.
The Rebels move to 2-0 on the season and will hit the road for the first time Friday when they travel to Decatur to take on Newton County. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
