PREP UPDATE: Thunderbirds fall short in comeback bid; Prattville flag demolishes Smiths Station; PCA sweeps volleyball matches

COMBINED REPORTS

Rehobeth 33, Park Crossing 32

Park Crossing fought back from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pull within a point in the final seconds only to fall a two-point attempt shy of earning its first win of the season Thursday at Cramton Bowl.

Rehobeth kept the Thunderbirds winless with a 33-32 victory. It was the Rebels first win in Class 6A, Region 2 play.

The Thunderbirds trailed 33-12 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter before fighting back with three unanswered touchdowns. Savion Gilchrist opened the scoring in the period with a 3-yard run for a score with seven minutes left.

After a successful onside kick, the T’Birds drove to the Rehobeth 6-yard line where Tyrease Morrow scored and Marcus Smith added a two-point conversion to pull PCHS to within seven, 33-26.

Despite a turnover with just over two minutes remaining, Park Crossing had a final chance to win it. After forcing a three-and-out in T’Bird territory, they opened the final drive on their own 7-yard line and got a 54-yard pass from Smith to Jeremiah Nickson to the Rehobeth 39 yard line. With 20 seconds remaining, Smith hit Redarius Stokes on a 39-yard pass for a touchdown on the next play.

Down a point, Park Crossing chose to go for two and scored but an illegal formation penalty wiped out the conversion.

On the second try from the 8-yard line, the Thunderbirds attempted a sweep but came up short but was also called for another penalty that was declined.

Rehobeth built its lead behind Tevin James’ three touchdowns including a 13-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter that gave the Rebels a 33-12 lead. He also scored on a 1-yard run and a 34-yard pass reception from Rizavion Brown.

Park Crossing trailed 14-0 at halftime before earning its first points of the game on Jayden Hollis 45-yard run with 5:40 left in the third. Later in the quarter, Smith threw a 34-yard strike for a score to Jadarian Calloway to pull the Thunderbirds to within 14 points by the end of the quarter.

Smith finished with 221 yards passing on 15-of-27 attempts. Hollis dded 64 yards rushing on four attempts.

Park Crossing (0-6, 0-4) travels to Wetumpka next week while Rehobeth (3-4, 1-3) returns home to face Stanhope Elmore.

FLAG FOOTBALL

Prattville 34, Smiths Station 6

SMITHS STATION -- Kaytie Chandler threw five touchdown passes, three to Lanieya Page, as the Lions defeated Smiths Station 34-6 on Thursday in a flag football game.

Chandler’s other two touchdown passes went to Mady Cate Lindsey and London Williams.

Hartley McCay led the Lions’ rushing attack with 65 yards.

Defensively, Page had an interception while Eriana Benson had a pair of sacks.

Prattville (9-2) will travel to Hoover to play a region game at Spain Park next Tuesday before facing Marbury in Marbury on Thursday.

VOLLEYBALL

Prattville Christian 2, Danville 0

Prattville Christian 2, Wetumpka 0

PRATTVILLE -- The Panthers played their last home match of the regular season on Thursday, defeating Danville 25-11 and 25-11 and Wetumpka 25-17 and 25-13 in the PCA gym.

For the Panthers, Natalee Wheeler had five aces, 12 digs and two assists, Paysley Bayer had three digs and seven kills, Emma Cate Carter had seven digs and nine kills, Maren Diefenderfer had three aces, a block and nine kills and Baylee Rogers had two aces, nine digs and 34 assists.  

Leah Cate Wilson had an ace, three blocks, a dig and six kills, Aiden Williams had a dig, Morgan Fowler had six digs and an assist, Jenna McClendon had two digs, three blocks and six kills, Olivia Rossi had a block, Anniston Robison had a dig and an assist, Marion Lewis had a kill and Brylee Byrd had an ace and seven digs.

PCA (34-12) will close out the regular season this weekend in the Supreme Courts Invitational Tournament in Guntersville before returning home to host Booker T. Washington in the first round of the 4A Area 5 tournament on Thursday at PCA.