Rebels' Rally Comes up Short

It didn't take long for the Rebels' to realize they would have their hands full.

On the first play from scrimmage, Eagles tailback Jake Ripnick busted a run up the middle, 62 yards for a touchdown.

Middletown South would give Howell trouble all night long, and, despite a spirited second-half rally, the Rebels (2-2) were unable to get a constant offensive rhythm, falling 52-35, Saturday night at Middletown High School South.

"It's extremely difficult when you know you can't stop them, and you need to score nearly every time," Howell head coach Cory Davies said, "If you say in a high school game that you score 35 points, you're usually going to win. Unfortunatley, that didn't happen."

Trailing 35-13 at the half, Howell defense came back much, stronger and the Rebels were able to crack within ten points at 38-28, but the Eagles' defense came up with important stops to halt Howell's rally.

Rebels' quarterback Ryan Davies scrambled impressivley for a nine-yard touchdown run for Howell's first score of the second half with 3:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Davies hit wide receiver Tory Robinson on the two-point conversion, making the score 35-21.

After yielding a 40-yard field goal to the Eagles, the Rebels came back down the field, as Davies punched the ball on on first and goal from the one-yard line, drawing Howell within ten points at 38-28.

Davies connected with Robinson for an 18-yard gain on third and four to keep the drive alive at the Eagles 40-yard line, and then hit wide-out Brandon Yaegel for a nine-yard pass to put the ball inside the one-yard line.

After a big stop, defensivley for, Howell, forcing the Eagles to turn the ball over on downs at Howell's 26-yard line, Davies threw an interception, which set up a one-yard touchdown run by South quarterback Howie Brey.

Davies would answer back, hitting running back Jon Oeftering for a 23-yard touchdown pass with 3:04 remaining in the game. The play was set up by a 22-yard catch and run by receiver Nick Craig, planting Howell deep into Middletown South territory.

The Eagles closed out the game after Howell could not recover the onside kick, and Tim Cody rushed in for a six-yard touchdown run, closing out the win.

"I don't know if that's who we are. We need to find some kids and get better at what we're doing up front with our defenders," Cory Davies said of the defense, "They played a little more physical football than we did."

After Middletown South jumped out to the early lead, the Rebels answered back with an impressive drive of their own.

Davies found Craig for a 32-yard touchdown up the seam on 3rd and 19. The drive was kept alive, earlier, when Davies hot Oeftering for a 22-yard pass on 4th and inches at the Eagles' 45-yard line.

Davies hit Yaegel for a 44-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to draw Howell within a touchdown at 21-13. The extra point from kicker Cody Hubbs was blocked.

South went on to add two more touchdowns before the end of the first half, extending their 22-point lead.

The Rebels were driving with time expiring in the first half, after taking over possession with 44 seconds remaining.

Davies eventually threw and interception in the endzone on the final play from scrimmage. The pass was intended for Craig.

Davies was 26-39 passing for 257 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for two touchdown for Howell.

Yaegel was the Rebels' top receiver, catching 11 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Craig had a good day for Howell as well, reeling in 6 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Oeftering had six catches for 84 yards and a touchdown and Robinson had four catches for 47 yards.

Wide-out Pat Devine had two catches for 43 yards.

Oeftering had seven carries for 29 yards.

Sophomore Stephen Boncimino was impressive, defensivley, for Howell, leading the late stand.

The Rebels will have a short week, travelling to Middletown North on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.