Lions dominate Rebels to win 7th straight
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
Five years ago an NFL coach coined the phrase “They are who we thought they were” in referring to an opponent. Many who follow MAIS Class A football are using the same phrase when speaking of the 3rd ranked Cenla Lions who put on a dominating performance in a 48-6 road win at 7th ranked ASC.
Senior tailback Jacob Thomas produced 261 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns on offense and notched a 55 yard interception return for another touchdown as the Lions improved to 5-0 in District 3A and 8-1 overall.
(Above) Cenla quarterback Graham Kelly breaks loose
In a first half full of big plays Cenla wasted little time in putting points on the board. After the Lion’s defense forced the Amite offense into a three and out on the opening possession of the night it took just 12 seconds for Cenla to hit pay-dirt. A Jacob Thomas fumble on Cenla’s first play from scrimmage was scooped up by sophomore wide-out Anthony Dunbar who scampered 54 yards to glory to give the Lions a quick 6-0 lead at the 9:31 mark of the opening quarter. Thomas more than made up for the early fumble as the senior picked off ASC quarterback Brandon Terrell at the Cenla 45 yard line and raced 55 yards to extend the lead to 12-0 with 4:30 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Cenla regained possession quickly as ASC junior tailback Bull Toler sustained a hard hit that resulted in a fumble recovery at the Rebel 26 yard line by Cenla freshman defensive lineman Josh Smith at the 4:11 mark.
Cenla quarterback Graham Kelly wasted little time as the senior nailed Jacob Thomas with a 26 yard touchdown strike to increase the Lion’s lead to 18-0 with just under four minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
ASC then put together their best drive of the night as the Rebels mounted a 20 play, 58 yard drive that included four 4th down conversions and chewed up a remarkable 11 minutes. Bull Toler’s 10th carry on the drive was a 1 yard 4th down plunge into the end zone and at the 4:18 mark of the 2nd quarter the Rebels had appeared to have halted Cenla’s momentum in trimming to deficit to 18-6.
(Above) Cenla tailback Jacob Thomas brought down hard by ASC
Unfortunately for ASC the big play capabilities of 3rd ranked Cenla proved too much as the Lions took just three plays to reach the end zone on their next possession. Graham Kelly hit Jacob Thomas on a picture perfect 57 yard touchdown toss and catch down the ASC sideline with 2:25 left in the half. Kelly then connected with Thomas again for a successful 2-point conversion to give Cenla a 26-6 advantage which they would take into the locker-room at the half. Cenla increased the lead on their second possession of the 3rd quarter as a Jacob Thomas 15 yard run culminated a 6 play, 51 yard drive to push the lead to 32-6 with 1:30 left in the quarter.
Cenla defensive lineman Josh Smith notched his second fumble recovery of the night on ASC’s next play to give the Lion’s the football deep in Rebel territory at the 23 yard line. Three plays later quarterback Graham Kelly darted 23 yards around the left side into the endzone and followed by hitting Devonta Dunbar for the 2-point hookup to give Cenla a commanding 40-6 lead with 50 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Cenla’s final score came on a Jacob Thomas 44 yard burst at the 6:58 mark of the 4th quarter. Jeremiah Jefferson converted on the 2-point attempt to give Cenla a 48-6 advantage.
Cenla racked up 400 yards of total offense, 278 coming by way of rushing and 122 through the air. Senior tailback Jacob Thomas (photo left) rushed for 106 yards on 8 carries and 2 touchdowns and had 5 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Graham Kelly was 6/11 passing for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushed for 81 yards on 6 carries and 1 touchdown.
Junior linebacker Devonta Dunbar lead Cenla with 13 tackles and one forced fumble on the night.
Bull Toler led ASC with 70 yards on 31 carries and a touchdown.
Next up for Cenla is a District 3A road game at Glenbrook while Amite (5-4) travels to 4th ranked WCCA.
Post Game: Cenla head football coach Kevin Vanek
