Lowndes Academy gets first win under new head football coach

The AISA Class AAA Region 2 Lowndes Academy Rebels, under the direction of first year head football coach Speed Sampley, claimed their first win of the 2025 football season at home over the AISA Class AA Region 1 Edgewood Academy Wildcats 30-6.

Sampley said of the win, “It was a good way to start off the season. Our team played very hard but by no means perfect. It gives us the opportunity to know what we have to work on. The goal is to improve every week.”

Lowndes Academy, a powerhouse team traditionally classified in the lower divisions, joined the Class AAA group this season and hadn’t been a Class AAA team since 1999.

Last year, the undefeated 11-0, 4-0 Class AA Region 1 Lowndes Academy Rebels were denied a fourth straight football state championship with a 14-7 loss to South Choctaw Academy.

Edgewood Academy dropped from Class AAA to Class AA in this year’s classification.

In Friday night’s action, the Rebels had 299 yards of total offense to 62 for Edgewood. The Rebels had 53 yards through the air and rushed for 246 yards. Edgewood had 68 yards passing and -6 yards on the ground.

Lowndes scored three touchdowns in the first quarter. Jeremy Hardy Jr. scored on a 40-yard run, and Bradford Tidwell kicked the extra point; Hardy next scored on a 10-yard run, and Tidwell kicked the extra point; Crawford Dansby forced a safety; and Braydn Stokes hit Ford Walker with a touchdown pass, and Tidwell kicked the extra point.

The Rebels scored again in the third quarter on a Hardy 52-yard punt return, and Tidwell kicked the extra point.

Edgewood’s only touchdown came in the third quarter on a 45-yard interception return.

Lowndes Academy will host Crenshaw Christian on Friday.