The Adams County Christian School Rebels ended their season with one of the most dramatic finishes in recent MAIS history, rallying late to defeat Marshall Academy 28–22 and claim the 2025 MAIS Class 3A–Division II state championship Thursday afternoon at Jackson Academy’s Raider Field.
According to The Natchez Democrat, Head coach David King openly acknowledged earlier in the week that few expected the Rebels to keep the game close, let alone contend for a title. But after a season marked by adversity, including major injuries, player departures, and the passing of longtime assistant coach Bill James to cancer just days before the postseason, ACCS proved to be far more resilient than many realized.
Trailing 22–14 with just over five minutes remaining, ACCS mounted a 73-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown run by Sean Kerry Cothern, followed by his successful two-point conversion to tie the game at 22–22 with 2:31 left.
Marshall Academy appeared to be driving for a potential game-winning score on the ensuing possession, but Cothern forced a crucial fumble that Colton Rabb recovered at the ACCS 35-yard line with 1:13 remaining.
Four plays later, Rabb connected with Leeland Floyd on a 36-yard touchdown pass, giving the Rebels a 28–22 lead with only 28 seconds on the clock.
The Patriots’ last attempt to respond ended with Jacoby Gaines intercepting a pass, securing the championship, and capping a remarkable seven-game winning streak for the Rebels.
ACCS built an early 14–0 lead behind two touchdowns from CJ Ferguson, including a 76-yard scoring run midway through the second quarter. Ferguson finished with 24 carries for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while Cothern added 136 rushing yards and a score on 27 carries.
Marshall Academy struck back late in the first half with an 89-yard touchdown pass, and later tied the game at 14–14 in the third quarter before taking the lead in the fourth.
Patriots quarterback Connor Floyd threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns, connecting on long scoring plays of 89 and 73 yards. But ACCS’ defense — led by Braden Poole, Cothern, Rabb, Gaines, Maddox McDonald, and Ferguson, made the key stops when it mattered most.
The Rebels’ victory marks the program’s third state championship since 2018 and their second in the last three years, according to reporting from The Natchez Democrat.
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