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Rebels to open with No. 8-ranked Woodward Academy
Best-of-3 series starts Thursday
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Senior shortstop Spencer Jackson and the Effingham County Rebels have been tested plenty this season, and they will get another as they open the Class AAAA playoffs at home against Woodward Academy. - photo by File photo

The Effingham County Rebels baseball team’s reward for making the state playoffs may be no gift at all.

The Rebels, the No. 2 seed from Region 3-AAAA, will open the Class AAAA tournament today at home against the No. 8-ranked Woodward Academy War Eagles.

The War Eagles (22-4) have scored at least 10 runs in their last eight games. In that stretch, they have allowed a total of 19 runs, and 11 of those came in an 11-10 loss to Whitewater.

The Rebels finished third in the subregion standings, but knocked off Lakeside-Evans in the first round of the region playoffs, then edged Evans before falling 3-1 to No. 2-ranked Greenbrier in the championship.

In beating Lakeside-Evans, the Rebels had to win a best-of-three series. Also along the way this year, the Rebels thumped defending Class A state champs No. 4-ranked Calvary 17-7 and fell 4-3 to Class AAAAA No. 4-ranked Camden.