BASTROP, La. &045; The Prairie View Spartans weren’t supposed to be much of an opponent for Adams Christian Friday night in this MPSA District 3-AA opener for both teams.

Especially considering that Prairie View hasn’t made the playoffs since 1998.

But it took a long touchdown pass from Timmy Foster to Dustin Case in the third quarter and some outstanding defense after that for the Rebels to escape with a 12-10 come-from-behind win over a Spartans team that is perhaps better than it has been in recent years.

&uot;I’m not very pleased,&uot; AC head coach Keith Walters said. &uot;We’re not executing like we should. I’m not made at the kids. We just need to coach (them) better.&uot;

Despite having nearly twice as many rushing yards as Prairie View (126 to 65), ACCS hurt itself with costly penalties and a pair of fumbles, including one inside the Prairie View 10-yard line as the Rebels were about to put the game away in the second half, allowing the Spartans to stay in it.

The Rebels jumped out to a 6-0 lead on a 4-yard touchdown run by Heath Williams just 41 seconds into the game.

The Spartans took a 7-6 lead on Cole Johnson’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Adam Sistrant and Brandon Wooten’s extra point with 4:25 remaining in the second quarter.

AC’s defense, led by Brock Vines and Jake Williams, played better in the second half, allowing Prairie View to score just three points on a 25-yard field goal by Wooten with 7:38 to go in the third quarter.

Then the Rebels took the lead on Foster’s 62-yard touchdown pass to Case, but the extra point was no good for the second straight time, giving the visitors a 12-10 lead, and thanks to a goal-line stand and other key stops by the defense, the Rebels were able to hold on to win by that same score.

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Patrick Jones