The Rebels of Zion Chapel will be looking for its first win of the season against Region 3, class 2A foe, St. Jude Educational Institute this Friday in Montgomery.

The Rebels have lost its first two games of the season prior to its game against the Pirates by a combined score of 64-6.

“Last week in the second half [against Goshen], we had two of our starters on defense get hurt. We weren’t tackling well and we are having trouble finishing the game,” Rebels’ head coach Mike Waters said.

“We missed some opportunities in the game that could have given us a lot of momentum and after that we kind of went flat.”

St. Jude comes into the game with a 1-1 record, losing to Alabama Christian Academy in week one and beating Hatch last week.

Despite the team’s records, the match up between the Rebels and the Pirates is fairly similar, as far as offensive statistics go.

Zion Chapel has averaged close to 150 yards rushing a game while St. Jude averages close to 110.

In passing yards, St. Jude averages around 75 yards per game, while Zion Chapel averages around 33.

In total yards per game, the two teams are separated by around one yard, as Zion Chapel averages close to 186 yards and St. Jude averages close to 185.

The only real difference between the teams on offense is the ability to score points – Zion Chapel is currently averaging three points per game while St. Jude is averaging 35.

“We need to learn to react better to adversity,” Waters said.

“The team is working hard everyday but I think we are all a little frustrated.”

When talking about what to expect this Friday, Waters said that the Pirates might cause some problems because of their athletic ability.

“[St. Jude] has skilled athletics galore,” Waters said. “They have a lot of speed on the offensive side of the ball.”

Two of the players Waters was talking about are Pirates senior running back Noel Butler and senior wide receiver George Price.

Butler is averaging eight yards a carry and already has three touchdowns while Price has seven receptions for 151 yards.

“They are going to present quite a challenge for us. We have to be able not allow them to make big plays” the coach added.

Running backs, Wesley Black and Garrett Stinson will have to be big factors if the Rebels want leave Montgomery with a win.

Black has rushed for 72 yards on 27 carries while Stinson has 83 yards on 19 carries.

“I’m hoping we can hit a homerun of our own,” Waters said.

“We have to try and play to our strengths and try to shorten the game.”

Zion Chapel senior quarterback Lance Walden, who left the game against Goshen with a deep bruise injury to his leg, is expected to play on Friday.

Walden is 2-13 this season for 23 yards and two interceptions, he has also rushed for the team’s only touchdown.

“They run a 3-4 defense that will blitz a lot.”

“Hopefully, our line will be able to pick up [the blitz] and give our offense enough time to do something big,” Waters said.

The Rebels and the Pirates will meet on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Montgomery.