Indians Open Region Play With 32-6 Win Over Rehobeth

WETUMPKA, Ala. — Wetumpka (3-0, 1-0) opened its home schedule and region play in convincing fashion Friday night.

The Indians scored on their first offensive snap, kept Rehobeth out of the end zone for the final three quarters and pulled away for a 32-6 victory over the Rebels, improving to 3-0 on the season.

Wetumpka entered the night after road wins over Andalusia and Tallassee, but the home opener provided another test against a Rehobeth offense built around misdirection and a physical Wing-T rushing attack. The Indians answered with a defense that repeatedly won at the line of scrimmage and an offense that showed more balance than it had through the first two weeks.

It took Wetumpka just one offensive play to find the end zone.

After the defense forced a three-and-out and a short punt gave the Indians possession at the Rehobeth 33-yard line, quarterback Charlie Skipper found Jordan Hill over the middle. Hill broke through multiple defenders and finished the 33-yard touchdown reception to give Wetumpka a 7-0 advantage.

The Indians' next possession offered a different look.

After relying heavily on the running game through the first two weeks, Wetumpka opened up its passing attack. Skipper connected with Kaleb Ballard, Deon Floyd and Patrick Davis as the Indians marched into the red zone before Karsen Tate powered into the end zone from six yards out.

The extra point extended the lead to 14-0 with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter.

Rehobeth responded early in the second.

The Rebels took advantage of favorable field position following a Wetumpka punt and methodically worked their way toward the goal line. Cole Joyner eventually crossed from a yard out for Rehobeth's only score of the night. Wetumpka stopped the ensuing two-point attempt to maintain a 14-6 lead.

Any momentum Rehobeth gained was short-lived.

Wetumpka answered with one of its biggest plays of the night. Facing second down near midfield, Skipper kept the football on a read option, used a pump fake to freeze the defense and broke into the open field.

Once Skipper cleared the second level, the junior quarterback did the rest. He raced 51 yards for a touchdown, giving Wetumpka a 20-6 advantage with 7:04 remaining in the first half.

Skipper's legs became an important part of the offense against a Rehobeth defense that made running between the tackles more difficult than Wetumpka had experienced in its first two games.

The Indians took a 20-6 lead into halftime.

Skipper completed four of his first nine passes for 73 yards and a touchdown before the break while adding 61 rushing yards, including the 51-yard score. Defensively, Cooper Wilson had already accumulated eight tackles in the opening half, while Cayden Carlisle recorded two sacks and Emerson Paulk intercepted a pass on the first play of the second quarter.

Wetumpka's defense continued to control the game after halftime.

Rehobeth's misdirection forced the Indians to remain disciplined, but the Rebels struggled to generate explosive plays. Wetumpka consistently put Rehobeth behind the chains with penetration from its defensive front and pursuit from the linebackers.

The Indians eventually added to their advantage late in the third quarter.

After Wetumpka moved into the red zone, Skipper appeared to connect with Davis for a touchdown along the sideline, but officials ruled Davis out of bounds. Wetumpka didn't have to wait long for another opportunity.

On the next play, Tate took the handoff and raced untouched into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game.

The sophomore's score pushed Wetumpka's advantage to 26-6 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. It was Tate's fifth rushing touchdown through the first three games of the season.

Rehobeth threatened to answer late in the quarter, moving inside the Wetumpka 20. The Indians responded with one of their biggest defensive stands of the night.

Carlisle dropped the ball carrier for a loss on third down, forcing fourth-and-10. Rehobeth attempted to throw into the end zone on fourth down, but the receiver came down out of bounds, turning the ball back over to Wetumpka.

The Indians then delivered the knockout blow.

Floyd took over in the backfield and carried Wetumpka down the field almost by himself. The senior ripped off consecutive chunk gains before breaking free for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Floyd finished with 86 yards and a touchdown on just five carries, with most of that production coming on the scoring possession. His touchdown extended Wetumpka's lead to 32-6.

Wetumpka finished with 334 yards of total offense, including 238 on the ground.

Skipper completed 6 of 16 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown while adding 72 rushing yards and another score on three carries. Tate rushed seven times for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while Floyd averaged more than 17 yards per carry.

Hill's lone reception went for the 33-yard touchdown, while Floyd added two receptions for 32 yards. Ballard caught two passes for 19 yards, and Davis finished with one reception for 12 yards.

As productive as Wetumpka was offensively, its defense continued an impressive start to the season.

Wilson led the Indians with 13 tackles, including seven solo stops, two tackles for loss and a sack. Through back-to-back games against Tallassee and Rehobeth, Wilson has totaled 28 tackles.

Carlisle was another disruptive presence, finishing with eight tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Jordan Bracy recorded nine tackles, while Jordan Gray and Cameron Cain-Dixon each finished with eight.

Paulk added three tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, while Kingston Johnson also recorded an interception.

Rehobeth's lone touchdown marked just the second offensive touchdown Wetumpka's defense has allowed through three games.

The Indians' have surrendered only 16 total points during their 3-0 start, with seven of those coming on a kickoff return against Tallassee.

The Indians will continue region play on Friday, September 11, as they host the Russel County Warriors (3-0, 1-0).