Byrd has four-TD night for Leake Academy
By By Marty Stamper/EMG sports assistant
August 24, 2002
MADDEN Leake Academy had three backs go over 100 yards in the first three quarters of the Rebels' 40-12 season-opening win over Newton County Academy Friday night at Dr. A.L. Thaggard Memorial Field.
Senior fullback Allen Byrd scored four touchdowns for Leake, while senior quarterback Brett Moore and senior Joshua Chamblee added one apiece.
Leake opened the game with a six-play, 58-yard scoring drive with Moore scoring on a 2-yard sneak. Jeffrey Chancellor carried the ball the first four plays, picking up 36 yards. Byrd added a 20-yard run to the NCA two on the next play. Moore kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 9:31 left in the first quarter.
The Generals, 0-10 in 2001, lost a fumble at their 38 on their first play from scrimmage and three plays later Leake was up 13-0 as Byrd scored on a 26-yard run. The PAT by Moore failed.
NCA found the end zone quickly as Dustin McGowin muffed the kickoff, then picked it up and raced 84 yards for a touchdown. Lee Blackburn's PAT was no good as the Generals trailed 13-6 with 7:21 still remaining in the opening period.
NCA drove to the Leake 28 on its next possession only to have Moore pick off a Blackburn pass. Moore then raced 77 yards on first down to the Generals 7 to set up a touchdown run by Byrd on the next play. Moore's kick was off line as Leake led 19-6 with 35.6 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Leake's ground game had 223 yards on 15 carries by the end of the first period.
The Generals rallied to within 19-12 when Blackburn outran the Leake defenders around right end from a yard out with 10:30 to go in the second quarter. Blackburn also had a 30-yard run on the drive.
Leake responded with a nine-play, 59-yard scoring drive that ended when Byrd tallied from nine yards out with 5:14 to go before halftime. Chancellor added a two-point run for a 27-12 advantage.
The Rebels found the end zone again when Chamblee fielded a punt just beyond midfield, bounced off the first General downfield, and returned it all the way with 3:12 left in the first half. Moore's kick was no good.
An interception of a Blackburn pass by Byrd put the Rebels back in business at the NCA 22 on the Generals' next play from scrimmage. Byrd needed only one carry to cover the 22 yards with Moore's PAT giving Leake a 40-12 lead at the break.
Leake had a 327-77 yardage advantage at the midway break.
The Generals opened the second half with an 11-play drive that covered 49 yards before stalling at the Leake 4. NCA head coach William Brian Sims wasn't happy that the officials stopped the drive for a heat time out with the Generals on the move at the Leake 4.
Neither team scored in the second half.
Leake finished with 398 total yards with 389 coming on 39 rushes. Byrd wound up with 136 yards on nine carries. Chancellor gained 126 yards on 13 carries, while Moore added 108 yards on eight attempts.
Moore was 1-of-3 passing for 9 yards.
NCA had 177 total yards with 142 coming on 27 rushes. Blackburn was 2-of-9 passing for 35 yards with three interceptions. McGowin had 61 yards on nine carries and Blackburn added 56 yards on 11 rushes.
Sims declined to comment following the loss which extended the Generals' losing streak to 11.
NCA hosts Calhoun Academy next Friday in its home opener, while Leake travels to Indianola Academy.
