BY CHERIE WARD

NATCHEZ — A pep rally will be held at 9:45 this morning to pump up the fans of the Adams County Christian School football team that will play for the state championship Saturday.

“This is our year,” said cheer coach Becky Lipscomb. “The boys have worked hard. My girls have worked hard, and they all deserve this. They have come a long way, but we never once doubted they could get there.”

The cheerleading squad and dance team Rebelettes will each travel to Jackson this afternoon to support the Rebels football team in a championship game Saturday against Indianola Academy.

Cheer co-captain and senior Mattie Pintard said she was extremely proud of the football team, cheer squad and Rebeletts and all the work they’ve put in this season.

“After 14 pep rallies, 14 games and more than 80 practices, we are finally here,” Pintard said.

The most exciting game all season, Pintard said, was the homecoming game against the Oak Forest Academy Yellow Jackets.

“When it went into overtime we all got so excited that we just started cheering louder and louder,” she said.

Shelby Mason, senior and co-captain, said the community support for the teams was amazing and incredibly heartfelt.

“The fans have been great,” Mason said. “Even the games that were 40 miles away or more had fans in the stands.”

Malori Giannaris, ACCS art and drama teacher, had students preparing a cookout for the teams on Thursday afternoon to let them know they are loved and supported.

“I’ve been praying for them,” she said. “I’ve been praying and praying and praying.”

Giannaris said the football team has handled several setbacks this season and they’ve done so with grace and dignity.

“These boys have had to handle things that adults would never be able to handle,” Giannaris said.

Kristen Stokes, dance team sponsor, said the Rebelettes created a video of the three teams’ season highlights and plan to reveal it at the pep rally this morning.

“This has been a big year for our kids,” she said.