Atkins ousts Elkins from playoffs

ELKINS — Atkins saw an early 14-0 lead evaporate, but a strong two-way performance by junior Gage Rehm was the difference.

The Red Devils rode Rehm to a 48-38 win against Elkins in a Class 3A second-round playoff game at John Bunch Field.

“It was a great high school football game with two really good teams,” said Atkins coach Tommy Cody. “A lot of respect to Elkins because those kids played hard.”

At running back, Rehm got the scoring going for his team with a 42-yard touchdown run at the 10 minute, 38-second mark in the first quarter. On the play, Rehm took a handoff from senior quarterback Zack Harris and cut to the left side of the field. He got a few blockers and outran Elkins’ secondary for the score.

“I think that was a big swing (at that point) in the game,” Rehm said. “It was a big thing for us and kept us going throughout the game.”

Later in the same quarter, Rehm was moved to the slot receiver position, where he caught a pass from Harris on a play action and turned it into a 50-yard touchdown reception to put his team up 216. The two connected again in the third quarter when Harris found the junior with a 29-yard score.

“He’s special,” Cody said. “He had a great night, offensively and defensively. He caught the ball well and did everything for us. He’s just a special player.”

Rehm finished the game with 12 carries for 134 yards and a score. He had four receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Rehm snagged two interceptions from the middle linebacker position. The first pick came late in the second quarter to squash an efficient Elkins drive. Two plays before, Elks sophomore quarterback Quinn McClain threw a deep pass to junior receiver Chad Graham who made a leaping one-handed grab in the end zone. The play was waved off due to a holding penalty and Rehm intercepted McClain on third down.

Rehm’s second pick came in the third quarter immediately after the Elks completed a pass to put their offense at the Atkins 36-yard line. Pressure from the Red Devils’ defensive line forced McClain to throw off his back foot and Rehm jumped the pass to make the grab.

The junior said the interceptions played a vital role in the victory.

“They kept us in the ball game,” Rehm said. “They let us keep running the ball, which helped us win.”

In the third round of the playoffs, the Red Devils will take on a McGehee team that beat Newport 20-6 in round two. Cody said the victory over Elkins gives the team some momentum heading into that Nov. 24 matchup.

“I think our kids are excited,” Cody said. “Anytime you have to practice on Thanksgiving, you’ve got a special football team. The only bad thing is I know McGehee’s really good and we’ve got to travel down there.”

“They let us keep running the ball, which helped us win.” — Atkins junior Gage Rehm