Atlanta Rabbits crush Sabine Cardinals,42-7

Atlanta traveled to Sabine on Oct. 7, for its first district game of the season.

The Rabbs scored early and often en route to a 42-7 shellacking of the Cardinals. With the victory Atlanta ran its record to (5-1, 1-0) overall.

First Quarter

Atlanta’s defense took the field to begin the contest and after five plays the Cardinals were lined up in punt formation.

The Rabbs took over at the 25-yard line after the punt, and on the first play from scrimmage running back Stacy Darty picked up three yards.

Atlanta scored on the next play as Rabbit quarterback Peyton Harrison connected with Darty on a go route for 71 yards. The 2-point play was no good but Atlanta was up 6-0.

Solid tackles by Rabbit defenders Christian Banks and Russell Limbrick on Sabine’s next drive set up for a quick three-and-out for the Cards.

After another punt the Rabbs started its next drive at Sabine’s 37-yard line.

Runs by Harrison, Markeylin Batton, Kam Dickerson and Dim Limbrick put the Rabbs at the 1-yard line in just a few plays.

Harrison finished off the 6-play drive with a QB keeper for a score. Ja’ Marion Austin scored on the 2-point play by dragging defenders with him into the endzone and put the Rabbs up 14-0 in the process.

Sabine’s next drive ended with an interception by Dim Limbrick and the quarter ended with Atlanta up 14-0.

Second Quarter

The two teams traded turnovers to open the second frame. Sabine fumbled the ball away two drives in a row and Atlanta had the ball at Sabine’s 33-yard line.

Working from Sabine’s 33, Batton scored on a sweep play to increase Atlanta’s lead. The PAT was good and Atlanta was up 21-0 with 10:51 remaining in the second quarter.

Atlanta’s defense turned in another solid play in the game on Sabine’s next drive as Marquavion Owens intercepted a pass and returned it for a pick-6 touchdown.

The PAT was good and Atlanta’s lead was 28-0 with 10:41 left in the first half. The two teams traded possessions for the rest of the half.

Third Quarter

The Rabbits received the ball to open the second half and promptly scored on the first play from scrimmage.

Batton took the ball 55 yards for a score and after a PAT the Rabbs were up 35-0 with 11:01 left in the third stanza.

Nice coverages by Ike Chandler and Dim Limbrick kept the Sabine offense on its heels, and after three plays the Cards were in punt formation.

Atlanta took over at its own 36 after the kick and from that point Harrison hit Darty on a go route for a 64-yard TD. The PAT was good and Atlanta was up 42-0 with 8:11 left on the clock.

The teams traded possessions the rest of the quarter. Sabine did come close to scoring once but the pass was intercepted by Limbrick.

Fourth Quarter

The final frame was uneventful other than good plays from Batton, Austin and Jayden Riley on offense and Atlanta’s defense.

Sabine scored at the 3:51 mark and cut the lead to 42-7. The Rabbs ended the game by draining the clock.

Harrison was 9-of-15 passing for 194 yards with two TDs and also had a rushing touchdown, Batton eclipsed the century mark with 104 yards rushing and two scores, Austin rushed for 89 yards, Kam Dickerson rushed for 24 yards, Riley had 47 yards receiving and Darty had 134 yards receiving with two TDs.

Banks had 10 tackles, nine of those solo, Owens added 10 tackles, Russ Limbrick had nine tackles with one sack, Owens had eight, Jalarion Andrews eight and Jaymari Howard eight.

Howard recovered a fumble and had a sack, Dim Limbrick intercepted two passes and Chandler had four pass deflections.

The Rabbits host Jefferson this Friday night with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Jamarion Austin carries Sabine defenders as he fights for extra yardage.