Lowndes Academy got off on the right foot in its quest to return to the Class AA state title game with a 28-3 season-opening road win at Hooper.

“We had a lot of effort,” said Lowndes coach Art Sullivan. “That was the big thing — effort on both sides of the ball. I was pleased with our effort.”

The Rebels rolled up 215 yards on the ground behind the rushing of veterans Brandon Pate, Tyler Bozeman and quarterback Anderson Casey. But Sullivan said the game was closer than the score indicated.

“Hooper’s very improved,” he said. “It was a very tough ball game. We kept banging away at them.”

Pate finished with 147 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Bozeman picked up 50 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Casey rounded out the Rebels’ scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run.

Pate also showed out on defense with five solo tackles and an interception. Tristan Kilpatrick led Lowndes with six tackles.

But, the biggest surprise might’ve come from junior Grant Nall. Injuries prevented Nall from playing last year, but he had his coming out party Friday. When the final gun sounded, Nall had collected four tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery and one sack.

“He had a pretty good night,” said Sullivan. “He got his feet wet and had a pretty nice game.”

Keith 12, Autaugaville 0

(Jamboree)

Keith head football coach Harry Crum got a chance to play almost everybody in Friday’s jamboree.

“D’wan Lewis scored both touchdowns for us, which is not unusual,” Crum said.

Lewis rushed for 1,425 yards and 25 touchdowns to lead Keith last season.

Autaugaville “was a very physical team,” Crum said. “They gave us some big hits, and we gave them some. Thank goodness there were no serious injuries.”

Crum pointed ouot the play of Gerald Matthews, Demarcus Lumpkin, Jeremy Crum and Rodney Ellis.

“Terry Jones, our middle linebacker, had a 12-tackle night,” he said. “And I was pleased with the play of newcomer Lavarosis Robinson and Michael Giles had an interception.”

Crum said the jamboree was a good way to kick off the football action. The Bears open the regular season next Friday at Central Hayneville.