NATCHEZ — The Adams County Christian School Rebels have been one of the stingiest defenses in the Miss-Lou this season, giving up just 15 points per game.

A big reason for that has been the heart of their defense, the linebackers.

Torrey Smith, Pete Guedon and Chisum Mardis have carried the ACCS defense all year, and now, as the Rebels make their run in the state playoffs, they continue to do so.

“Those guys have been the heart of our defense,” ACCS head coach David King said. “This is a good linebacking core. It started out as a place we were worried about, but now it has been a strong suit.”

King said coming into the season, he expected teams to try and run against the ACCS defense because of their talented secondary. But, opponents have hit a brick wall, led by the three in the middle.

“They’ve got the two qualities you need to play linebacker,” said King of the trio. “They are tough and they are smart. Linebacking, more than any position, is a natural position, and all three of these kids are naturally tough.”

Guedon is the anchor of the defense at middle linebacker. Responsible for relaying calls from the sideline to the rest of the defense, Guedon knows the importance of being aware of what is going on. But that responsibility wasn’t necessarily a given just a few months ago, when King and his staff were trying to figure out what to do on defense.

“Coming out of spring we were worried about the defense we were going to run because of his speed,” King said. “But he tackles so well and has a real tendency to know where the football is. He has been a big portion of our success. He has exceeded our expectations and emerged as an outstanding middle linebacker.”

What the Rebels lack in speed in the middle, is made up for on the outside by Smith.

“I am out of position a lot, but it is because I am so aggressive,” the senior linebacker said. “I attack plays head on and as soon as the ball is snapped I am there. Even if I’m out of position, I’m able to make up for it with speed.”

King said Smith has been a special talent, and one of the best he has had the opportunity to coach.

“Torrey is as physical of a kid as I’ve coached, and I’ve coached a lot,” he said. “He’s got a dozen highlight film type tackles. He will lay you out and he is very athletic and strong.”

In the Rebels most recent game against Silliman Institute in the quarterfinals of the MAIS AA State Playoffs, Smith recorded a game high 17 tackles along with a sack.

“To be a good linebacker you have to have discipline,” Smith said. “You have to know the play calls and be able to read offenses.”

At the other outside linebacker position, Chisum Mardis firmly plants himself. The emotional and vocal leader of the defense and team, Mardis is a key reason the Rebels have made such a deep playoff run.

“They feed off of him,” King said. “He is a fiery kid, tough as you can be. He loves the game as much as anybody I’ve been around. He is our fireplug out there.”

Mardis takes pride in that, knowing he is someone the team will turn to for inspiration.

“It is always about pumping up your teammates and trying to get them into the game as much as you can,” he said.

It has been a rough few days for Mardis though, who was forced to miss the Silliman game with a leg injury.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I hate that I’m not with them, but I know my boys can pull it out.”

Even though they each play a separate position, the three have come together as one group and have also been able to form a strong friendship.

“Since coach has moved us all together, we just clicked,” Smith said. “We have a good chemistry.”

“I love my other linebackers,” Mardis said. “I’m going to miss them.”

Guedon and Smith are set to graduate after this season, while Mardis still has one season left in the blue and white.