It wasn’t the season opener the Zion Chapel players or fans were hoping for on Friday, as the Rebels weathered lengthy rain and lightning delays before falling to Pleasant Home 12-0 in two quarters of play.

After rain delays both coaches agreed to play one half of the game, and the Rebels received the opening kick off. The Rebels were able to move the chains in the game’s opening drive before things stalled after a holding penalty forced the Rebels to punt the ball away.

The Eagles took their opening possession and scored a touchdown, gaining a 6=0 lead after the PAT failed.

The Rebels had their chance to even up the game late in the first quarter. The Rebels had possession of the ball with 13 seconds remaining. Since the game was only two quarters long both teams played the end of the opening quarter like halftime, meaning the Eagles would take over possession to start the second quarter. After a timeout the Rebels lined up for a field goal that was missed, leaving the score at 6-0.

Defenses stiffened up from there until the game’s final minutes, when the Eagles converted a pass for a touchdown to secure their 12-0 win.

With all the build up over the last few weeks, it was tough for the players to sit on the bus for as long as they did, but head coach Bradley Bowers said they were just happy to play football.

“The guys were disappointed when I told them they were not going to be able to play the entire game,” Bowers said. “I think they were excited to get off the bus and that they were going to be able to play and not have to pack up and go home.”

The game gave the coaching staff and players a chance to put into play everything they have worked on during the summer practices.

“We needed to see actual game speed and fix the kinks that we needed to work out,” Bowers said. “Fortunately the game did not count and it showed us what we need to work on this week. During practice we cannot get a realistic look at what game speed is like for us to finally see game speed is big for us. It shows some of our younger guys that they have to practice harder.”

During the rain-shortened game the Rebels were able to run the ball against the Eagles fairly well.

Senior Chase Peoples led the way in rushing yards with 37 rushing yards on eight carries. Both the offense and defense played well, Bowers said.

“I thought on the offensive of the ball that we did a good job at being physical,” Bowers said. “We ran the ball well, on the defensive side of the ball I thought we tackled a lot better than what we showed last season. That is still something that is a work in progress but I feel like we did that.”

“All in all it was kind of what we wanted, other than the scoreboard. It was a good night as far as how we executed and competed.”

After the Rebels loss to Pleasant home they look to rebound on Fridy night against Providece Christian in the official season opener. Kick off between the Rebels and the Eagles is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.