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In a hard-fought battle under the Thursday night lights, the Fort Dale Academy Eagles fell to the Bessemer Academy Rebels 19-14 in the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) semi-finals. Both teams showcased resilience and determination, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

“It was a tough game,” Fort Dale Academy Coach Eric Folmar said. “We knew Bessemer was a good team. In hindsight, there were several things we could have done better.”

The Rebels struck first, scoring early in the first quarter. A successful extra point gave them a 7-0 lead. Fort Dale quickly responded, with Parker Crenshaw punching in a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with four minutes remaining in the quarter.

Bessemer regained the upper hand late in the second quarter with another touchdown. However, after two false start penalties pushed the extra point attempt back to 30 yards, the kick went wide, leaving the halftime score at 13-7 in favor of the Rebels.

In the third quarter, the Eagles fought back with a touchdown from Dain Winters. A successful extra point pushed Fort Dale ahead for the first time, 14-13. But the Rebels weren’t finished. They answered with another touchdown, reclaiming a 19-14 lead.

Despite an intense fourth quarter, neither team could find the end zone again. The Rebels held firm, securing their spot in the championship.

“We just couldn’t corral their quarterback or maintain possession on offense,” Folmar said. “Hats off to Bessemer; they played a good game.”

The loss marked the end of a strong season for the Eagles, who showed heart and determination throughout the playoff run and finished 9-3 overall and 4-0 in the region.