By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

The Coosa Valley Rebels came up just short against Fort Dale Academy Sept. 6, losing a close battle, 45-38.

The game was a back-and-forth contest, as the AISA Class AAA Eagles got on the board first with a 52-yard run.

The Rebels responded as Niko Teofilo broke a 64-yard run to tie the game 7-7.

The Eagles scored again on a long pass play to jump ahead 14-7 following the extra point. The Rebels answered back when Trey Dubose hauled in a Zach Spratlin pass for a 40-yard score. Zach Sharp added another extra point to make it 14-14.

The Eagles took advantage of Rebel mistakes, including a fumble to go in to tie the score at 21, to pull out to a 38-14 score at half.

The Rebels were not to be denied, as they roared back, reeling off 21 unanswered points on touchdown runs by Teofilo, Bradley Carroll and a Spratlin pass to Blake Gossett for a score made it 38-35 in the third quarter.

Both squads were able to score once more, and the Rebels tried to convert an onside kick after pulling within a touchdown. The try was unsuccessful, and the Eagles were able to hang on for the 45-38 victory.

Coosa Valley will move on to face Crenshaw Christian on the road Sept. 13.