Can McKenzie Make Another Run at the TSSAA Class 1A State Championship Game?

The McKenzie Rebels football team lost the opening game of the 2025 season, but the Rebels did not lose again until the Class 1A state championship game. The team won 13 straight games last season and took the Region 6-1A championship.

The Rebels lost 42-14 in the state championship game.

McKenzie was the only team from the region to win a game in the Class 1A playoffs as McEwen, Wayne County and Collinwood had first-round exits.

McKenzie quarterback Cole Brown was a Class 1A Mr. Football finalist as a junior, and he has the weapons around him to earn the honor once again.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. McKenzie

2. Wayne County

3. Perry County

4. Bruceton

5. McEwen

6. Collinwood

Top Region Games

Wayne County at Perry County (Week 7; Oct. 2) – These two could be battling it out for second place, but this matchup is early in the region schedule. Perry County didn’t win a region game last year and will be looking to bounce back, while Wayne County wants to move up one spot and earn a home playoff game.

McKenzie at Wayne County (Week 10; Oct. 23) – The Wildcats finished third in the region last season. But they might be the Rebels’ toughest test this season. McKenzie will also have to go on the road to play this one.

15 Players to Watch

Avery Brown (McKenzie, Sr., WR/DB)

Cole Brown (McKenzie, Sr., QB/WR/S)

Korbin Brown (Bruceton, Jr., RB/S)

Case Butler (Wayne Co., Sr., QB/LB)

Jayden Callis (McKenzie, Jr., RB/LB)

Daegan Collins (Bruceton, Sr., RB/LB)

Casey Garner (Perry Co., Sr., DL/OL)

Jacob Laman (Perry Co., Jr., QB/S)

Weston Martin (Perry Co., Sr., ATH/LB)

Javon McFadden (Perry Co., JR., WR/S)

Jacobi Melton (McKenzie, Sr., WR/DB)

Bennett Rich (Collinwood, Sr., ATH/DB)

Daylan Van Fleet (Wayne Co., Sr., WR/DB)

Avery Vaughn (Wayne Co., Jr., RB, S)

Hunter Winstead (McKenzie, Jr., OL/DL)

Team Tidbits

Bruceton

Mascot: Tigers

2025 record: 7-3 (2-3 6-1A)

Head coach: Clay Mackins (3rd season: 8-12)

What to know: After three straight seasons of going 1-9, the Tigers had a turnaround season as they went 7-3. But despite the seven-win season, Bruceton still did not make the Class 1A playoffs last season. The Tigers’ last playoff berth was 2020. This team will have to do some rebuilding this year after losing some key players. Braxton Howard threw for 2,032 yards with 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season, and Brady Roberts had 754 receiving yards with eight touchdowns. Both players graduated along with second leading receiver Seth Thomas. Bruceton does return leading rusher Korbin Brown, who was a sophomore last year and rushed for 571 yards and seven touchdowns with three games of 100 yards or more. Carter Lowe had 105 tackles last season, and he is back to lead the defense for the third straight season. Bruceton’s first two games of the season are at home against Scotts Hill and Gleason, which are two opponents this team should be able to compete against and gain confidence.

Collinwood

Mascot: Trojans

2024 record: 3-8 (2-3 6-1A)

Head coach: Boyce Dixon (5th season: 14-26)

What to know: The Trojans were back in the playoffs last season for the second time under Dixon’s leadership. Collinwood beat Perry County 32-14 and Bruceton 43-22 to earn a spot in the playoffs, beating Bruceton in a head-to-head tiebreaker. Collinwood gave up 30 or more points in six of its eight losses last season. The Trojans scored seven points in the regular season finale loss to Wayne County and then 13 points in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs against Richland.

McEwen

Mascot: Warriors

2024 record: 8-4 (4-1 6-1A)

Head coach: Cecil Andrews (2nd season: 5-5)

What to know: In Andrews’ first season in charge, he led the Warriors to a .500 record and a home playoff game after finishing second in Region 6-1A. McEwen is set to bring some skill players back this season, but the key is going to be line play and depth for the Warriors to have success. Senior Tylon Carter led the team in passing, while senior Aiden Kelsey led the team in rushing. McEwen went on a stretch and won four of five games in the middle of the season, and this team will need a run like that again.

McKenzie

Mascot: Rebels

2024 record: 13-2 (5-0 6-1A)

Head coach: Keith Hodge (3rd season: 26-3)

What to know: Cole Brown made the move from wide receiver to quarterback last season and made a smooth transition. He was named a Tennessee Titans Class 1A Mr. Football finalist as he threw for 3,011 yards (184-of-252 passes) for 36 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed for 1,042 yards and 24 touchdowns on 115 carries. McKenzie also returns its top five wide receivers, so this passing attack will be stout. Jacobi Melton had 989 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, Avery Brown had 878 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns and Kason Brown had 412 receiving yards and seven touchdowns to be the top three receivers. Junior Jayden Callis developed well at running back last season to finish with close to 1,00 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns. While Ryan Toombs graduated, McKenzie has two of the top linemen in West Tennessee returning in Hunter Winstead and Maddox Shiell to control the trenches. McKenzie also has the top two tacklers from last year back in Lelan Gordon (101 total tackles) and Cole Brown (95 total tackles). McKenzie has won five straight region titles.

Perry County

Mascot: Vikings

2024 record: 3-7 (0-5 6-1A)

Head coach: Calvin Zemer (9th season; 18-61)

What to know: The Vikings’ playoff drought continued last season as the team didn’t win a region game, despite high expectations going into the season. The Vikings haven’t reached the playoffs since 2011, and it was 2010 when the team made the run to the Class 1A semifinals. Perry County won its first two games of the season last year – 16-12 over Greenfield and 40-0 over Scotts Hill – but only won one win in the final eight games. The Vikings scored seven touchdowns in the final four games of the season, which were all region games. Perry County graduated its leading rusher, but Jacob Laman and Weston Martin are both set to be back.

Wayne County

Mascot: Wildcats

2024 record: 4-7 (3-2 6-1A)

Head coach: Derek Willis (4th season; 14-18)

What to know: While the Wildcats didn’t win as many games as in 2024, Wayne County still had a strong season with a second straight appearance in the Class 1A playoffs. The Wildcats didn’t have an explosive offense as they scored 28, 28, 24 and 16 points in their four wins last year. But this team was young last year and many of the skill players are back and trying to get this program its first home playoff game since 2018.

Michael Odom is the sports editor for the Mirror-Exchange, Weakley County Press, Brownsville States-Graphic and Fayette Falcon. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @GCSportsWriter. Reach him by email at michaelodom@milanmirrorexchange.com.