Rebels comeback falls short in Week 3

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By Cole Parkinson

Taber Times

cparkinson@tabertimes.com

After falling back by a few touchdowns in their Week 3 matchup against Brooks, the W.R. Myers Rebels bid for a comeback fell just short. The Rebels went to Brooks hoping to get back in the win column, but fell 25-22.

“Well, I can’t say I’m happy with the final outcome, but I definitely saw a lot of good things from this team, particularly late in the game. We knew we were in tough this week, as Brooks is a Provincially ranked team in a Tier above ours, and to compound that we were dealing with a few key players missing due to injury and illness,” explained head coach Jason Jensen.Despite the fact the team was shorthanded, they came out firing by scoring the first touchdown of the game.

“The game started strong for us, and our offence was able to kind of put the Buffalos on their heels, and drove down the field, scoring early to go up 7-0. After that, Brooks settled in a bit, and things turned to a dogfight,” continued Jensen.

Nearing the end of the first half, the Rebels experienced a handful of unfortunate series, which lead to Brooks taking the lead into the break.

“Near the end of the half, we had a bit of a disastrous turn of events, as the Buffalos managed to intercept a pass in their own endzone, and then on the next play turn around and break off a 91-yard touchdown run, which was basically a 14-point flip. We then found ourselves pinned deep, and a high snap on a punt attempt gave Brooks the ball back deep in our zone. From there, the touchdown was kind of academic, and we went into halftime down 19-7,” confirmed Jensen.

Coming out of the locker room, the Rebels knew there was still plenty of time to regain the lead. Unfortunately, Brooks was able to convert on their first offensive drive of the third quarter.

“Of course, at the half, we drove home to the boys that the game was far from over, and they assured us coaches that they had the mettle to come back. The start of the second half was a little worrisome, as Brooks managed to score on their opening drive, to widen the gap to 25-7,” said Jensen.

With a deeper hole to climb out of, some teams neglect the hard work to dig themselves out. But for the Rebels squad, they weren’t quite ready to call it quits. After a few unsuccessful drives in the second half, the team was finally able to reach the end zone, which sparked the team on both sides of the ball.

“These Rebels wouldn’t quit, and after trading short possessions all through the third quarter, we finally broke through and scored, and the comeback was on. With four minutes to go, quarterback Kade Lund engineered a long drive, culminating in another touchdown, and after a successful two-point attempt, it was now a three-point game, with about a minute to play,” continued Jensen. “We were able to recover the ensuing onside kick, and once again went on the march.”

With the ball back in their hands, the offence was given one last chance to complete the comeback.

“Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be, Brooks made a tackle on their own one-yard line, just as time expired,” added Jensen. “Now, I hate to lose, but I have to say, these boys proved something to us coaches, and to themselves. Even down three scores, they were never out of this game, and had there been one more play, probably would have won. That sure makes me proud, and shows me that they have the kind of resiliency that is going to be needed if we go on a deep playoff run.”

With plenty of tough games under their belt already, the Rebels get zero breaks in Week 4. The Rebels are once on the road again as they head east to face the McCoy Colts.

“Now this week, we’re once again punching up, as we head to Medicine Hat to play the tier 2 McCoy Colts. This should be another tough one, in the same vein as the last two games we’ve played. I know these boys are up for the challenge, and I can’t wait to get after it,” stated Jensen.

Kickoff is on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Methanex Bowl.

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