NATCHEZ — Fans that came out to Adams County Christian on Thursday night witnessed one of the strangest games they’ve probably ever seen.

It was a game that featured 10 total fumbles, a blocked punt return for a touchdown by each team, a long play stoppage for an injury and 14 second half points for the Rebels, despite ACCS not recording a first down in the half.

However, in the end, it added up to another loss for AC, this one a 48-21 defeat by River Oaks.

“Hats off to River Oaks, they played a fine game,” ACCS coach Paul Hayles said. “We had a couple of opportunities but couldn’t make it happen.”

While ACCS was not taking advantage of its opportunities, the Mustangs made the most of theirs, blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown in the first quarter and returning a fumble for a touchdown in the second quarter.”

“(We gave them) 21 points,” Hayles said. “But that’s a compliment to River Oaks. They did a good job of blocking the punt and forcing those fumbles.”

River Oaks wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, taking the opening kickoff and marching 60 yards for a touchdown in eight plays.

Mustang quarterback Cody Trichell capped off the drive with a 1-yard plunge.

ACCS had to punt on its opening possession of the game and the Mustangs broke through and blocked it.

Gabe Bower scooped up the losse ball and scampered 38 yards for a score to put River Oaks up 14-0.

ACCS then got on the board early in the second quarter when Brandon Sanders capped a long drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.

The key play of the drive was a 44-yard scamper by Ryan Comer.

However, the Mustangs grabbed momentum back with two touchdowns in less than two minutes.

Will White got it started with a 53-yard touchdown run and then John Rockett scooped up a Dillon Johnson fumble and raced 33-yards for a touchdown to make the score 29-7 midway through the second quarter.

ACCS fought to get back in the game in the second half. The Rebels closed in when Joe Barksdale blocked a Mustang punt and Comer caught it out of the air and ran 20 yards into the end zone midway through the third quarter.

The fourth quarter began with a scary few minutes, when ACCS player Lee Swinny suffered a neck injury.

Swinny was down for over 20 minutes as they waited for the ambulance to arrive.

Swinny had movement in all his extremities but was complaining of pain in the back of his neck and was taken to Natchez Regional Medical Center.

“That’s your friend and loved one,” Hayles said. “These guys sweat and bleed together and are like brothers. That’s a loved one that got hurt. To overcome that mentally is a challenge.”

After play resumed, Trichell scored for River Oaks with a 5-yard run a minute into the fourth, but ACCS wouldn’t go away as Sanders broke up the middle for a 39-yard TD run just 56 seconds later.

ACCS had a chance to get farther back into the game, as River Oaks faced a fourth and 12 from the Rebel 26-yard line.

However, Trichell hooked up with Mustang receiver Charles Bowie for a touchdown after Bowie ripped the ball away from the ACCS defensive back in the end zone.

River Oaks added a late score against a tired Rebel defense when Vincent Moore scored from 10 yards out.

River Oaks dominated play in the second half, running 38 plays to ACCS’s 19.

However, the Rebels did score the most points in a game in two seasons and Hayles was pleased with the effort.

“How many teams have you seen face this much adversity and still continue to fight?” Hayles said. “Some people don’t understand that because they’ve always had it easy. These kids have had to work for everything they’ve earned and they’re going to be better in life because of it.”