Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Chambers Academy is going back to the show. The Rebels have a chance to make history by becoming back-to-back state champions, a first for the storied program. 

The Rebels face the Rebels, as they take on Bessemer Academy on Thursday,  7 p.m. at Montgomery’s Crampton Bowl. 

Chambers has been nearly perfect in 2024, only losing their season opener against Mississippi team Starkville Academy. Since then, there have been few missteps. While dominant in the AISA AAA field, they have steadily improved throughout the year, regularly scoring over 40 points, and holding opponents to two touchdowns or fewer since the opening game. 

The Rebels have a real shot at repeating history on Thursday. They met Bessemer earlier this year, beating them 38-6. 

Bessemer is 7-5 on the season and had a shakier trip to the capital. The first half of their season, the other Rebels went 2-4, with one of those wins coming from a forfeit. However, they have won their last four games, including the two playoff games to get to state. Chambers has beaten Bessemer in five of the six meeting the two teams have had. 

Chambers goes into the final game as Goliath, having pummeled their way through the playoffs. Against both Clark Prep, which saw a 53 to 13 victory, and Monroe Academy which ended 52-6 the Rebels put in their reserve players. Head coach Jason Allen is unlikely to give the young players time on Thursday, with a deep and impressive class of Seniors on his bench. 

The old guard put the game away early last week, as Luke Tarver ran for 140 and two touchdowns on five carries. Hand, who has been predominantly a running quarterback this season ran for 102 yards with a touchdown. The quarterback also threw one touchdown for 45 yards to wide receiver Cameron Gooden. Other seniors that got on the offensive stat sheet were TJ Daniel and Jacob Norgard. 

The upperclassmen made a similar impact on defense. Tarver recorded five tackles and Daniel had four. Senior Aiden Anglin had two tackles and an interception. 

The reserves showed that Chambers Academy’s future is in good hands. Sophomore Hunter Andrews notched four tackles and an interception himself. His classmate Colton Fuller led the team with seven tackles on the night. Allen highlighted the work of the O-line and backs against Monroe. 

The Rebels, who have struggled with turnovers throughout the season, pitched a perfect game in last Thursday’s semifinal. 

“The game didn’t start out well for us, which has not happened all year. This was the first time all season we didn’t score first,” Allen said. “Our kids didn’t panic and stuck to the game plan.”

In a couple of days, the players will be Montgomery-bound, a feeling familiar to many of them. They look to make history by repeating as AISA AAA state champs. 

“Now we get ready to play a much improved Bessemer team who didn’t have their starting [quarterback] the first time we played them. He’s their best player and we will have to be ready for the impact he will bring to the game,” Allen said.