United South Central’s Dylan Bonsack (22) tries to get around the corner during first-half action of the Rebels’ 14-6 victory over the St. James Saints in the Section 2A playoffs on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Jonathan Martinez (12) and Nathan Mutschler (5) help lead the way.

The United South Central Rebels advanced to the semifinals of the Section 2A Football Tournament with a 14-6 victory at home over the St. James Saints on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

The win propelled the No. 4-seeded Rebels into the semifinals where they were set to take on the No. 1-seeded Mayer Lutheran Crusaders on Saturday, Oct. 28, in Mayer, at 2 p.m.

Against the No. 5-seeded Saints, the Rebels scored six points in the first quarter and another eight points in the second quarter. Meanwhile the Saints scored their eight points in the second quarter.

The halftime score of 14-6 became the final score as neither team was able to score in the second half, with deteriorating weather and field conditions.

The Rebels’ first score came as a culmination of a 10-play, 65-yard drive. The touchdown came on a handoff from Kolt Bullerman to Jonathan Martinez who scampered 20 yards into the endzone for the score.

The try for two extra points, a running play by Dylan Bonsack, failed when he was tackled at the three-yard line.

USC scored first in the second quarter, this time on a nine-play, 65-yard drive. It ended with a Kolt Bullerman handoff to Blake Bullerman who ran the ball into the endzone from the three-yard line.

This time the try for a two point conversion was successful on a pass from Martinez to Blake Bullerman.

The Rebels then had a 14-0 lead.

St. James’ TD in the second quarter came on a long nine-play, 68-yard drive. It ended with an 11-yard pass play for a touchdown. The pass play for a two-point conversion failed, and the score was 14-6 in favor of the Rebels.

The second half had no scoring, with both teams punting three times in the half, and St. James turning the ball over on downs and the Rebels turning it over once on a fumble.

The stats favored the Rebels in almost every category.

USC had 13 first downs to St. James’ eight, 180 rushing yards to their 109, 44 passing yards to their 41 (for 224 total offensive yards) to their 150.

Martinez was 2 for 3 passing for 44 yards. Blake Bullerman caught both passes.

Martinez led the ground attack with 73 yards rushing on 11 attempts. Byron Getchell had 49 yards on 16 carries. Bonsack gained 47 total yards on nine totes, and Blake Bullerman had seven yards on three attempts.

Bullerman also led the defense with seven tackles.