By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

ALABASTER — Kingwood Christian School struggled to contain a pack of physical Bessemer Academy running backs in a 59-13 loss to the Rebels in its Alabama Independent Schools Association Class 3A, Region 1 opener Aug. 30.

Bessemer Academy racked up 476 total rushing yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns in the contest.

Meanwhile, three early turnovers and pressure from the Rebels’ defensive front seven kept the Lions from getting into a rhythm offensively.

Quarterback Gavin Sumrall passed for 165 yards, but two of three early interceptions led to Bessemer Academy scoring drives.

Titus Adams led Kingwood Christian (0-2 overall, 0-1 in AISA Class 3A, Region 1) with 71 rushing yards and a touchdown on two carries. Charles White added 33 rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries.

Bessemer Academy jumped out to a 20-0 lead after three rushing touchdowns in the opening quarter. The Rebels, who racked up 215 rushing yards in the opening half, added another rushing touchdown in the second quarter to carry a 26-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Bessemer Academy quickly pushed its lead to 33-0 early in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown before Kingwood Christian finally found the end zone. Adams streaked down the left sideline for a 68-yard touchdown with 10:17 left in the third quarter to temporarily cut the deficit to 33-6 after a blocked extra point attempt by Montez Haynes.

The Rebels added four more rushing touchdowns in the second half before White capped the scoring with his 18-yard touchdown run with 9:54 left in the game. Haynes added the extra point to account for the final margin.