After suffering back to back heartbreaking losses to Chapin and Strom Thurmond, the Mid-Carolina Rebels were looking to turn their fortunes around. The Rebels jumped out to a 22-0 first quarter lead and never looked back, defeating Saluda 43-14 on Friday night in Prosperity. The win improved the Rebels to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in region play.

Despite the score, the play was sloppy on both sides. The two teams combined for seven turnovers and a blocked punt in the first half alone. The difference was that Mid-Carolina turned Saluda’s four first half turnovers into 22 points while Saluda only managed seven.

Krishawn Holley got the scoring started with a 20-yard run. The score came only two plays after Saluda fumbled trying to run a reverse. The Tigers were called for an off-sides penalty on the extra point try, which prompted Head Coach Louie Alexander to change his mind and go for two. The moved proved to be a smart one as the run was successful and the Rebels jumped out 8-0.

The Rebel defense struck for another turnover only a few plays later when Kendrelle Neal made the first of two interceptions he had on the night. Neal’s pick, plus a late hit on the return, set the Mid-Carolina offense up at the Saluda 13-yard line. From there the Rebels moved it to the one yard line and Quin Cureton pounded it in from there to make it 15-0.

The Tigers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving the Rebel offense another great chance. On third and one from the Tiger 17, Cureton banged into the pile looking for a first down. What he found was daylight on the other side and raced into the end zone for the score.

Mid-Carolina survived two fumbles and an interception in the first half without giving up any points, but when Saluda blocked a punt that gave them first and goal at the Rebel three yard line, they were not so lucky. Tiger running back Devontay Weaver needed only one play from there to erase the shutout.

The Rebels cleaned up the errors in the second half and dominated the Tigers. Holley added two more touchdowns to go with his first quarter score, but his most impressive run of the night didn’t come with points. Midway through the third quarter, the Rebels were facing a second and four at their own 40-yard line. Holley busted through the line and raced down the right side for 43 yards, stiff arming two Tiger defenders along the way. Holley finished with 169 yards on the night and didn’t carry the ball in the last 17 minutes.

Coach Alexander rested most of the starters in the fourth quarter. Even lineman Sherman Lindler saw some action at fullback, carrying the ball twice for ten yards. Junior Jamal Mendenhall and Freshman Nick Sims-Metts used the opportunity to show the future is bright for the Rebel running attack. Mendenhall ran for 40 yards on six carriers while Sims-Metts showcased his speed on a 21 yard run to pick up a third and 19 late in the game.

The Rebels head back out on the road next week to face Gilbert who is also 4-3 on the season.

BOX SCORE

Saluda (2-5, 0-2) 14 Mid Carolina (4-3, 1-1) 43

1st 2nd 3rd 4th

SHS 0 7 0 7

MC 22 0 14 7

Scoring Summary

MC – Krishawn Holley 20 yard run (run good) 4:41 1st

MC – Quin Cureton 1 yard run (Rett Chapman kick) 2:08 1st

MC – Cureton 17 yard run (Chapman kick) 1:15 1st

SHS – Devontay Weaver 3 yard run (Brian Bushey kick) 6:21 2nd

MC – Holley 13 yard run (Chapman kick) 10:27 3rd

MC – Holley 4 yard run (Chapman kick) 5:48 3rd

MC – Jonathan Davenport 11 yard run (Ryan Gilliam kick) 8:43 4th

SHS – Drey Mitchell 11 yard run (Bushey kick) 4:48 4th