By Katie McElvy
Head Coach Jason Allen and assistants Dillon NesSmith and Kyle Jackson sat down with Chambers Academy Sports Live on Thursday for a new weekly series that will take place at Monte Alban. During the interviews, the coaches got candid about the upcoming football season and the team that will be taking the field in a few short days. Defensive Coordinator Dillon NesSmith sat down first to talk with hosts Sid Mickle and Chester Carter. NesSmith described the Rebel defense as “stout” as he recalled the statistics from the 2022 season where the Rebels only gave up 212 points all season. NesSmith credited this success to the Rebel system and communication with and among the players during game time situations. While NesSmith did acknowledge that the loss of 2022 seniors Buster Coker and Braxton Yerta were hard hits, he is excited about the new faces and the talents that have emerged during the preseason. NesSmith said that the biggest key to success for the defense this year is stopping their opponents on third down.
Assistant Coach Kyle Jackson took the hot seat next to talk about the big guys on the line and the identity of this year’s team. “The first thing I noticed early on in the summer in workouts was that with this group, they come to work. It’s all business. They’re kids. They have fun, and that’s what we are there for, but it’s like it’s their job. That’s what they are there to do, and one of the kids actually said, ‘We’re here to work, so we can have fun later.’ That’s a kid quote. When you have kids like that, you automatically know that you’re going to have success,” said Jackson.
Lastly, Head Coach Jason Allen addressed the audience. Coach Allen reminisced on last season and the lessons that were learned. In the 2022 season, the Rebels dropped the first two games in devastating fashion, but bounced back to beat region foe Edgewood Academy 49-14 and proceeded to go on a seven game winning streak to take the region. Coach Allen was proud of the way the players responded to overcome adversity, a lesson that he feels the boys will take with them throughout life. Allen also addressed the goals that he has this year for the Rebels. One goal that he has for the offense is to be more balanced.
Allen commented, “You have got to be balanced. It makes you harder to defend. We’re always going to be a heavy run team. We feel like you have to run the ball to win championships, but you need that balance in there of throwing the football.”
The second goal that Allen has for this year’s team is to cut down on penalties. Allen acknowledged that Chambers had too many penalties last year, and that the team must become more disciplined to find success.
The Chambers Academy Rebels will be back in action on Thursday in Auburn as they face the Lee-Scott Academy Warriors. Lee-Scott is coming off an AISA AAA State Championship while Chambers is still reeling from a 21-24 loss to Clarke Prep in the semifinals. However, the Rebels are 4-1 against the Warriors over the last five seasons with Chambers scoring 166 points to Lee-Scott’s 50 in that time span. Kick off is set for 7:00 at Jud Scott Field in Auburn.