Times-Journal Sports Writer

BESSEMER-Before the playoffs, Morgan Academy coach Robert Gartman predicted the level of competition his Senators would face in the postseason would be tough

He was right.

Morgan Academy’s hopes of winning consecutive state titles ended Thursday night in a 23-16 loss to the Bessemer Academy Rebels. The Senators finished the season at 9-3.

The Senators saw their 10-3 halftime lead slip away via two fumbled that the Rebels converted into a pair of touchdowns to turn the tide.

“One of the turnovers,” Gartman said, “was just a case of them making a big play. They only have two kids playing both ways, so they had a lot of kids just playing on offense or defense. They were able to stay fresh.”

The first turnover came with just over three minutes in the third period when quarterback Jeremy Smith tried to run around the right end, but had the ball stripped from his hands. The Rebels recovered the loose ball at their 44.

Bessemer Academy (12-0) then went on a 7-play drive highlighted by speedy running back Reggie Jones. The lightning-quick Jones broke through the Morgan defensive line on the drive’s first play for a 31-yard sprint before being tripped up in a touchdown-saving tackle by Smith.

Jones, however, was not to be denied as he capped the drive with an 8-yard option run on a pitch from quarterback Brett Johnson. Izas Fuller’s extra point tied the game at 10 with 36 seconds remaining in the third period.

After the Morgan offense failed to move the ball on its next drive, the Senators were forced to punt.

But Smith, who was back to punt, was unable to handle the low snap and fell on the football at the Senators’ 17.

Two plays later, Jones struck again as he broke free off left tackle for a 14-yard scoring run. The extra point gave the Rebels a 17-10 advantage with 9:54 to go.

The Rebels’ speed was ever-present on their special teams unit as well. When the Senators were again forced to punt, Walter Arrington fielded it at his 38 and broke free up the middle to the Morgan 35.

From there, Jones took the handoff on the first play of a short drive and rumbled to the Senators’ 26. A facemasking penalty against Morgan moved the ball to the 16.

Arrington finished off the Senators when he took the handoff from Johnson, went to his left, then went the opposite way for a 16-yard touchdown run that put the Rebels up 23-10 with 6:20 to go. Henley Hughes blocked the extra-point try.

The Senators tried to rally on Smith’s passing to wide receiver Eric Pilcher. The two hooked up on an 18-yard toss to the Bessemer 33. Three plays later on fourth down, Smith sailed a pass down the middle, which Pilcher pulled in on a one-hand grabbed before being tackled at the Rebels’ 2.

Three plays later, Smith tossed to Josh McAteer, who went around the left end on a 1-yard touchdown run that brought the Senators to within 23-16. The PAT try failed.

The Senators then tried an onsides kick, but the Rebels scooped up the ball before Morgan even had a chance at it.

Two holding penalties pushed the Rebels back to their own 40-yard line, but Johnson took a knee for the final two plays after the Senators used their final timeout.

The Senators’ first turnover of the game occurred in the first quarter and helped Bessemer Academy get on the board. Smith handed off to McAteer, who dropped the ball at the Rebels’ 42. Bessemer defensive tackle Chris Martin scooped up the ball and took it to the Morgan 42.

The Senators’ defense, however, stiffened and Bessemer found itself in a fourth-and-8 position at the Morgan 18. The Senators appeared to have taken the ball away when McAteer intercepted Johnson’s pass in the end zone. But McAteer was whistled for defensive holding, giving the Rebels the ball at the Senators’ 7.

But the Morgan defense once again held, and the Rebels had to settle for a 23-yard field goal that gave them a 3-0 lead with nine minutes to go in the first half.

The Senators received a break when Jones fumbled on the Rebels’ next drive. The football was recovered by MA’s Brian Gomes at the Bessemer 28.

Eight plays later, Ben Callaway gave the Senators the lead with an 8-yard march up the middle. Smith added the PAT and the Senators led 7-3 with 37 seconds left before halftime.

Callaway set up his score with a 5-yard run to the Bessemer 16 on fourth-and-three.

The Senators were not done, as Henley Hughes picked off a pass and returned it 41 yards to the Rebels’ 16-yard line with 12 seconds to go in the half.

Morgan settled for a 29-yard field goal by Smith with seven seconds to go that gave the Senators a 10-3 halftime lead.

Hughes also came up with another interception on the opening drive of the third quarter when he tipped a Johnson pass and hauled it in while lying on his back at the Morgan 46. The Senators, however, were unable to take advantage of Hughes’ interception and were forced to punt.

Edgewood Academy knocked off previously unbeaten Faith Academy, 32-27 on Thursday night and will face host Bessemer Academy.