Rabbits turn up big in win over Jefferson

In most football conversations I’ve seen about District 8, Atlanta isn’t mentioned along with Jefferson, Liberty-Eylau and Gladewater.

Or they weren’t until the Rabbits went on a 5-game win streak and upended Jefferson 22-15 last Friday night.

Coming into the season the Rabbs were overlooked by many in favor of Jefferson, L-E and Gladewater as the favorites to dominate the district landscape this season.

Freshman Field General Brayden Thompson continues to grow in his position and it showed on the first score of the game as he hit receiver CJ Whaley on a 22-yard TD pass.

It also doesn’t hurt to have a solid 6-foot, 5-inch receiver. After the PAT, Atlanta was up 7-0.

In the second frame the Rabbits took the ball into the redzone and running back Jayden Riley darted into the endzone from three yards out. Another good point after put Atlanta up 14-0.

Jefferson scored a touchdown under the one-minute mark on the first half and cut the lead to 14-8 after a good 2-point play.

The Bulldogs took its first lead of the night after scoring on a long TD run and converting the PAT to go up 15-14.

Atlanta converted a big fourth down play at the 2-minute mark then Thompson hit Deandre Simmons on a 13-yard pass play.

With time running down, Thompson hit riley for a 60-yard TD to put Atlanta up 20-15.

Thompson then hit Simmons for a big 2-point play to put the Rabbs in front 22-15.

Jefferson had a little time to work with but went for all the marbles on a big pass play.

The Jefferson QB overthrew his receiver but hit Kayden Linwood in stride for an over the shoulder interception to ice the game.

Thompson was 12-of-19 with two TD passes, Riley rushed for 59 with a score and had 60 yards receiving with a TD and Whaley added 64 receiving yards with a score.

The Rabbits (5-1, 2-0) made a huge statement last week and look to continue its dominance as they face Sabine on the road this Friday night with kickoff set for 7 p.m.