NATCHEZ — It was homecoming for Adams County Christian School Friday night, but the celebration was short-lived for the Rebel football team as they fell 27-0 to Central Private.

A bevy of ACCS miscues and a dominant Central Private ground attack led by running back Ryan Bowman made the difference, and ACCS head coach Hunter McKeivier said his team was not prepared for Friday night’s contest.

“It starts with the coaches,” McKeivier said. “We didn’t have them mentally prepared and ready to play, and as the head coach it’s my job to have the kids ready to play, and we came out flat.”

ACCS (1-3) had 11 penalties accepted against them, and committed several more that were either offsetting fouls or not accepted by Central Private (1-2). ACCS also turned the ball over five times.

“We can’t win like that,” McKeivier said. “There is no team that can win with five turnovers and 12 to 15 penalties, and that falls on the coaching staff, and me mostly.”

Central Private established its offense early in the game, scoring two touchdowns on its first two possessions.

Central Private opened the game with an 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 2-yard run by Bowman. Bowman would finish the night with 224 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

After Central Private forced a three-and-out by ACCS, its offense put together a 72-yard touchdown drive in nine plays. That drive was capped by a 1-yard run by Bowman.

“(Bowman) is a tough young man,” McKeivier said. “We noticed that on film, and knew we were going to have to stop (him), and we didn’t.”

Midway through the second quarter Bowman struck again with a 47-yard touchdown run after Central Private forced an ACCS fumble, and Central Private took a 20-0 lead into the half.

ACCS did not lie down in the second half, and its defense held Central Private scoreless until late in the game. But the ACCS offense was hampered by interceptions and a turnover on downs as it tried to get back into the game.

“In the second half I was very proud of our defense, but turnovers didn’t give the defense a chance,” McKeivier said.

ACCS got inside the Central Private 30-yard line twice in the second half. The first time they were stopped 1-yard short of a first down on fourth down and 3 yards to go.

Later in the half ACCS made it down to the Central Private 22-yard line. But on third down and 10 Smith was intercepted by Central Private’s Luke Fryoux to end the ACCS threat.

Fryoux would get a rushing touchdown of his own with 2:08 left in the game to finish the scoring at 27-0.

ACCS finished the night with 179 yards in total offense compared to Central Private’s 446.

Smith led ACCS with 45 yards rushing.

ACCS will travel to Bowling Green next week.