The Berrien Rebels picked up their first shutout win since 2007 as they defeated the Bacon County Raiders 18-0 in Alma on Friday night.

In a game that was originally scheduled to be the Rebels’ home opener, the Rebels’ renovated stadium wasn’t quite ready for play on Friday.

However, the Rebels (2-1) were indeed ready to play as Ken Bennett found the end zone first to give the Rebels a 6-0 lead at the half. Tanner Adams punched in a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line for the Rebels’ second touchdown of the night to make it 12-0.

Bennett finished off another strong night on the ground with a 5-yard touchdown run for the final margin — his second straight game with two touchdowns. 

Berrien had 319 yards of total offense and committed just one turnover on a lost fumble in the win.

Defensively, the Rebels held the 0-3 Raiders to 39 total yards. Titan Blevins and Davonte Jones played well for the Rebels after a dominant outing last week against Atkinson County. 

Cornerback Derrick Staffin delivered the defensive play of the night, picking off the Raiders on the goal line for a critical defensive stop.

For the Rebels, it was their second straight win after a loss to Irwin County in the season opener. The Rebels hadn’t won two games in a row since knocking off Early County and Monroe on consecutive weeks last September.

UP NEXT

Berrien will be at home to take on Wilcox County next Friday. Berrien coach Tim Alligood believes the newly-renovated Raymond Jones Memorial Stadium will be ready to go for the Rebels’ first official home game.