<strong>LowcoSports.com</strong>

Thomas Heyward Academy got another tough test on the road but closed out a 28-18 victory at John Paul II for the Rebels’ fifth straight win.

The Rebels weren’t at full strength, with multi-faceted standout Bruzza Pusha sidelined and star running back JR Patterson limited, and the Golden Warriors were able to take advantage to keep this one close throughout.

The defenses traded punches early before THA’s Jeremy Clemmer picked off a pass over the middle and raced up the left sideline to open the scoring. The Rebels made it 14-0 when Brandon Howard took a short pass from Peyton Bennett and turned it into a long touchdown.

JPII didn’t go quietly, though, putting together a sustained drive capped by a Jackson Ogden touchdown run to get with 14-7 at halftime. Jeremiah Young and Austin McIntosh each had<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>a rushing touchdown sandwiched around an Anthony Fripp score for THA in the second half, but the Golden Warriors couldn’t get closer than two before Bennett scored on a keeper to seal it.

McIntosh finished with 102 yards on 20 carries and led the JPII defense with 10 tackles, and Ogden added nine.

The Rebels (5-1) host Colleton Prep for a region matchup Friday. JPII (1-4) travels to Northwood Academy for what is likely a must-win for the Golden Warriors’ playoff hopes.