Jonathan Sellers

The Zion Chapel Rebels got sweet revenge Friday with a 39-26 win over 2A Region 3 foe Keith.

Coming off of a 58-8 loss last year against the Bears, the Rebels used the running tandem of Wesley Black and Lance Walden to pick up their first win of the season.

“We’ve come a long way since last year,” head coach Mike Waters said.

The improvement showed on the Rebels first possession of the game.

It took just three plays and 32 yards for Zion Chapel to get on the board behind a 15-yard run from senior Garrett Stinson.

Keith answered right back after Dwan Lewis darted through the Rebel defense for a 49-yard scamper.

Walden stretched the Rebels lead to 13-6 early in the first quarter with a short 1-yard touchdown run.

The scoring would continue back and forth until a late second quarter touchdown dive into the end zone by Stinson put Zion Chapel up 26-12 at halftime.

Zion Chapel would put the first points on the board in the second half after Black found his way up the middle and into pay dirt for an 11-yard score.

Black finished with 141 yards on 25 carries.

“I thought Wesley got going a little better in the second half,” Waters said.

“He’s a tough little cookie being 145 pounds.”

The Rebels would add their final score of the game on a 50-yard, 11-play drive that was capped off by a 13-yard TD by Walden.

“Lance Walden’s a good football player, wherever you put him he’s a winner,” Waters said.

Walden added 111 yards on 16 carries and three scores. The senior also completed two passes for 21 yards.

Lewis led the Bears (2-2, 1-2) with 10 carries for 178 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite giving up some big plays, Waters and the Rebels were excited about the win.

“I thought we played hard, and made some plays when we had to,” Waters said.

“A win is a win.”

Zion Chapel will be on the road next weekend as they travel to take on Kinston.