Zion Chapel looking to fix offensive woes as region play begins

Like every football team that suits up on Friday night, the Zion Chapel Rebels ultimate goal is to win the ball game.

However, the Rebels are currently trying to fix a more pressing issue…getting in the endzone.

Through eight quarters of football in 2013, a scrimmage against Wicksburg and a season-opening loss to G.W. Long, Zion Chapel has yet to break the plane and get the goose egg off the scoreboard.

First-year Zion Chapel head coach Bradley Bowers said that the team works everyday to get better and improve.

“We work every single day to get just a little better every time out,” said Bowers. “We have been tough on them this week. Every rep they have done, we have been right there in their ear. We want to be the best that we can be.”

Zion has tinkered with the offense throughout the offseason, trying to find the right balance of run and pass.

The Rebs have used a double-wing formation, as well as the usual spread attack.

Despite the back-to-back shutouts, Bowers feels that his team is making strides.

“It’s not like we haven’t been close,” Bowers said. “We have had our chances and just didn’t capitalize on them. We have improved over the last few weeks, and now have to just take that final big step.”

Zion Chapel faces off with arch-rival Elba Friday night at Mack Wood Field at Tiger Stadium in Elba in the Battle of Highway 87.

The Rebels have never beaten the Tigers, and have been outscored 229-28 in five games against their neighbors to the south.

However, the 2013 version of the Tigers are not the same team from years past.

Elba gave up 36 points to W.S. Neal in the pre-season scrimmage, and 42 to Opp last week.

Bowers said that coaching staff has seen certain things on film that they feel can be beneficial.

“We have watched the tape,” Bowers said. “They are good, but we saw one or two things that we think we can be good at. We will keep plugging away and try to gets us a win Right now, any win would be big for us, and we need to get the first score. After the first, the rest will come a little easier.”

Zion Chapel travels to Elba on Friday night looking to knock off the Tigers for the first time in school history.

Kick off is set for 7 p.m.