S

The Franklin County Rebels lost to the Columbia Central Lions 18-6 at home Friday for their seventh loss of the season.

The score was kept incredibly close for a majority of the day with the Lions scoring two touchdowns in the last five minutes to pull away and give the Rebels a regional loss in their homecoming game.

The Rebels drove deep into enemy territory on their opening possession, but the drive would stall out around Columbia’s 10-yard line.

Franklin County kicker Loui Arellano then came onto the field to attempt a 27-yard field goal, and he split the uprights to give the Rebels a 3-0 lead with about five minutes left in the first quarter.

After a three-and-out and a punt by the Lions, the Rebels made another trip inside of Columbia’s 10-yard line.

Arellano would be brought out to attempt a 23-yard field goal to start the second quarter, but the Lions blocked the kick to keep the early deficit at three points.

The remaining five full drives for the first half wouldn’t lead to points for either side as the possessions resulted in three punts, an interception thrown by Franklin County and a Columbia fumble which was recovered by Eric Jones.

The Rebels led 3-0 at halftime.

The Lions opened the second half with a 68-yard drive that ended in a rushing touchdown to flip the scoreboard and put the Rebels behind 6-3 with 8:35 left in the third quarter.

After the teams traded punts, the Rebels drove down into enemy territory once more, and Arellano ended the possession with a successful 37-yard field goal to tie the score at 6-6 with 9:49 left in the contest.

The Lions appeared poised to break the tie as they moved the ball inside of Franklin County’s 40-yard line on their next possession, but a big sack by DaShuan Reynolds on third down pushed the Lions back and forced a punt.

With the Rebels backed up near their own goal line on the ensuing possession, quarterback CJ Seals was hit hard from behind and couldn’t hold onto the ball, and the Lions recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. The score made it a 12-6 game with 4:57 to go.

The Rebels attempted to go for it on fourth down in their own territory on their next drive, but Seals was sacked after scrambling around looking for a target to give the Lions the ball at Franklin County’s 6-yard line.

The Lions scored a rushing touchdown on the next snap to take an 18-6 lead with 2:17 remaining.

An interception off of a tipped Franklin County pass in the final minute sealed the loss as the Rebels fell by 12 points.

With the loss, the Rebels moved to 1-7 on the season and 1-3 in regional play.

They will next play on Oct. 20 at Lawrence County High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.