Rebels escape with late touchdown win over Indians

By DONN ADAMSON
Daily Journal Sports Editor

PARK HILLS - The Central Rebels had all they could handle in their home opener with the Class 1, St. Vincent Indians trying their best to pull off the upset over the Class 3 team. Central put together a 55-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to pull out a 13-12 win.

Both offenses struggled to move the ball against each other’s defense. The Rebels used 15 plays to score their first touchdown in the second quarter, and their last scoring drive took eight plays.

The Rebels defense gave up only 19 yards on the ground to the Indians and 125 in the air.

St. Vincent’s defense  held the Rebels to 118 yards on the ground and 143 yards in the air, and took advantage of a Rebel turnover to score their only touchdown of the game.

The foot of Aaron Dzik put some fear in Central’s players and fans. Dzik finished off St. Vincent’s first possession in the game with a 32-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. He would also kick a 20-yarder early in the third quarter and when he had his third chance to put the Indians up by more than a touchdown near the end of the third quarter, the Rebels had their backs to the wall.

The field goal attempt was short, and from there on the Rebels dominated the rest of the game.

St. Vincent backed up Dzik’s first field goal with a touchdown early in the second quarter. The Indians had recovered a Central fumble on the Rebels 35-yard line, and it took only three plays for quarterback Darin Yanmitz to find Dzik for a 19 yard strike. Dzik missed wide with what would turn out to be a very crucial extra point.

The Rebels first touchdown drive was highlighted by passes of 20 yards to Brad Bales and 13 yards to T.C. Jennings by quarterback C.J. Bland, and was capped off by a three yard plunge by running back Tony Martin. The extra point was missed, making the score 9-6 still in favor of the Indians. It would remain that way until the half.

After Dzik’s second field goal, the Rebels put together a sustained drive of 57 yards made possible by a fourth down punt that was fumbled by the Indians and recovered by Steven Wells on St. Vincent’s 45. The drive would eventually fizzle on downs, but the Rebels were wearing down the Indians defense.

After a three and out by the Indians, Central started a solid ground attack on their next possession with running back Tony Martin carrying the mail most all the way. Martin, who finished with 98 yards rushing and 14 yards receiving, carried the ball six times on the winning drive for 23 of the 45 yards.

A personal foul by the Indians helped the drive along, and Bland found Bales for the 11-yard touchdown to tie the score at 12-12. Taylor Gray capped off the touchdown with the extra point kick, and the Rebels defense came up big on the Indians last possession with Tyler Friend making a sack for St. Vincent’s last offensive chance.

Bland was 11-17 in passing for 143 yards with one pick and one touchdown. Bales made seven catches for 60 yards and the one touchdown.

The game’s end was highlighted by a 38 yard walk by Roy Henson for Relay for Life. Henson was heralded by not only the fans but both teams lined up as he made his way upfield.

Central (1-1) will play at home again on Friday hosting the Windsor Owls.