Zion Chapel has plenty of opportunities to take control of the game on Friday night, but couldn’t get the stop when they desperately needed it.

The Rebels fell to Highland home 20-13 in a key region match up for both teams. The loss drops Zion to 1-3 on the season and 1-2 in region play.

“It just wasn’t meant to be for us tonight,” said Rebel head coach Mike Waters. “We have got to limit our mistakes and have better discipline.”

On no less than five occasions in the second half, Zion Chapel forced Highland Home in to a third down and short situation. Each time the Rebels jumped offside, giving the Flying Squadron a first down and a chance to run precious seconds off the clock.

Outside of the offside blunders, the Rebel defense played a sound game. The unit got stops and gave the offense good field position for the majority of the second half.

“Coach Bowers (Zion Chapel defensive coordinator) had a heck of a plan tonight and it worked,” said Waters. “We have got to tackle better. There were times when we would have the back hemmed up for a loss, and they would make a positive play out of it.”

Zion Chapel struck first on just its third play from scrimmage. Quarterback Ethan Deal found Kyle Kelley behind the Squadron secondary for a 49 yards touchdown pass early in the first quarter.

Highland Home would return the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to take the momentum back to their sideline.

The Flying Squadron tacked on another touchdown later in the quarter, marching 81 yards in just nine plays. Every play on the drive was a rush, and most were in between the tackles.

Midway through the third quarter, after making a goal line stand, Zion Chapel took the ball 98 yards in only four plays to pull within an extra point of tying the game. Mickey Cox took the first play of the drive 32 yards, and Brennan Schindler took the next play 61 yards to the Squadron five. Cox would later score.

Highland Home scored late, and then intercepted a Rebel pass at the seven to thwart the comeback attempt.

Waters said that his team played well at times, but at others seemed to struggle.

“We were very inconsistent tonight,” said Waters. “We did some things great, and did others really poorly. We have to work on our discipline, and we will get started with that on Sunday.”

Mickey Cox led the Rebels with 100 yards on 12 carries, had 16 yards receiving, six tackles on defense and broke up two passes.

Chris Adair led the Rebel defense with 10 tackles and an interception.

Zion will host cross-county rival Kinston next Friday at Greene Memorial in Jack.