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Adams County Christian School’s Caden Gillespie reflects on the outcome of Thursday’s 42-7 loss to Indianola Academy in the MAIS AAA state championship. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Christian School’s DyKevis Ford gets dragged to the turf by a pair of Indianola defenders Thursday night. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Christian School’s George Scott III turns up the field and races for a long touchdown Thursday during the MAIS AAA state championship game in Jackson. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Christian School’s sophomore cheerleader Brooke Martin looks on from the sideline during the Rebels’ loss to Indianola Academy. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Christian School’s Julian Wilson looks for running room during the game. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

JACKSON – Adams County Christian School had demonstrated poise and composure all season long.

On Thursday night, however, at the most inopportune of times, the Rebels appeared uncharacteristically off.

ACCS whiffed on blocks and tackles, missed open receivers and committed eight penalties as it fell in the MAIS AAA state title game 42-7 to Indianola Academy at Jackson Academy.

“This is a tough way to end a great season,” ACCS coach David King said. “I knew they were going to be the team to beat, and they were everything they were advertised. We played hard, we just didn’t have any answer for the big guy (running back Sherman Timbs).”

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound bruising runner ran for 184 yards and three scores. The Colonels (14-0) ran for 332 yards total, and outgained ACCS for the game 374 yards to 151.

“(Timbs) was just too good for us,” King said.

ACCS (11-3) was attempting to record its first state championship since the 1982 season, when it knocked off Indianola Academy 22-0.

“I’m very proud we got to a state championship,” King said. “No, it’s not the way we wanted to end it, but that’s a very good football team we got beat by. I’m at a loss for my boys, but that’s just how life is; you don’t always get what you want.”

The Rebels had an opportunity in the first quarter to strike first and take an early lead. Following a short punt, the Rebels were set up at the Colonels 22 yard line, but were unable to come away with any points. The series ended with a pair of deep shots into the corner of the end zone to wide receiver George Scott III.

“I thought that was a big part of the game, but they were just so athletic,” King said. “We didn’t have time to throw the ball, and nobody has run on them all year. Nothing they did surprised me. They were a very hard team to move the ball on … They were just better than we were. They were the best team in AAA.”

From there, it was all Indianola Academy.

The Colonels scored touchdowns on six of their final eight possessions to claim the state championship.

Indianola led at halftime 20-0, and eventually built the lead to 35-0 late in the third quarter to enforce the MAIS’ running-clock rule.

ACCS got on the board with 30 seconds remaining in the third period after Scott hauled in a short pass from Jacob McDaniel, then the Louisiana Tech commit danced and dodged his way through a slew defenders and down the sideline for a 68-yard score.

The senior wideout finished with three catches for 95 yards and the score.

“It’s hard,” Scott said. “It takes me back to my sophomore year when we lost (the state title 35-21 to Centreville Academy). I’m going to remember the love (at ACCS), and the fans and all the love they showed. It’s a great ball club. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Jordan Wells led ACCS defensively with 12 tackles, while Dawson Parker and Cade Wells had nine and eight stops, respectively.

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