Rebels Cage Wildcats, 41-0

McKENZIE (October 24) —- McKenzie High School hosted Wayne County Friday for a region football contest. The Rebels dominated both sides of the ball and cruised to a 41-0 victory.

It was an exciting night off of the field as well.

At halftime, participants in the Little Rebel Cheer Camp held earlier in the week showed off the skills they learned from the MHS cheerleaders.

It was also Youth Football Night at the stadium. Future MHS cheerleaders were followed by future Rebel players from the McKenzie Youth Football League. Teams and their coaches were recognized on the field.

And it was Pink Out Night, where players, cheerleaders and fans wear pink alongside their red and gray in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Between the first and second quarter, MHS teacher Traci Lunn was honored as a survivor and recognized in the stands.

The Wildcats won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. The Rebel defense set the tone, forcing a three-and-out. The punt was downed at the McKenzie 26.

Rebel quarterback Cole Brown and running back Jayden Callis kept it mostly on the ground in the ten-play scoring drive. Brown made the final carry for a two-yard touchdown. The PAT was no good, and the Rebels led 6-0 halfway through the opening frame.

Wayne County went three-and-out again, and another good punt put the Rebels at their 16. A carry by Callis and a throw by Brown to Jacobi Melton moved the chains, then a short pass from Brown to Callis earned 26 yards into Wildcat territory. Brown’s next pass was intercepted at the 1.

The Wildcats failed to capitalize on the turnover and went three-and-out for the third straight time. A punt started the second quarter, and McKenzie took over at the Wayne County 38.

The Rebels scored on six plays, capped by another two-yard score by Brown. He then tossed to Lelan Gordon for two points, and McKenzie led 14-0 with 8:17 to play in the first half.

The Wildcats started the ensuing drive at their 20. On the first play, Rebel Aiden Legens forced and recovered a fumble to return the ball to McKenzie at the Wayne County 15. C. Brown threw to Kason Brown, then Callis ran for a ten-yard touchdown. Aiden Mason kicked the PAT, and the Rebels led 21-0 with 7:28 left in the second frame.

The Wildcats earned their first first down of the game, but a penalty and a sack by Legens pushed them back. Then, Rebel Maddox Shiell pressured quarterback Case Butler and drew an intentional grounding penalty. Two plays later, the Wildcats punted.

A three-play, 54-yard scoring drive was capped by a 19-yard pass from C. Brown to Melton. Mason kicked, and McKenzie led 28-0 with just over two minutes left in the half.

Wayne County improved to two first downs on the next possession, but three straight incomplete passes forced another punt.

With just eleven seconds remaining, C. Brown took a knee to end the half.

The Rebels received the second-half kick and scored on nine plays. C. Brown punched it in on fourth-and-goal at the 1, and Mason’s kick put McKenzie up 35-0 early in the third.

The Wildcats went three-and-out. During the drive, there was a lengthy delay as a Wayne County player suffered a serious leg injury. When play resumed, Rebel Xander Johnsey tipped the punt to give McKenzie great field position at the Wildcat 39.

A six-play drive ended with a two-yard Callis touchdown. The kick was no good, and the Rebels led 41-0 with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Wayne County found some momentum heading into the final frame, earning two first downs and advancing to the McKenzie 19 before Rebel K. Brown intercepted a Butler pass and returned it to the Rebel 28.

McKenzie’s reserves got some playing time but were forced to punt.

The Rebel defense forced one last three-and-out, then C. Brown took a knee in victory formation.

McKenzie had 408 yards of total offense, 260 on the ground and 148 in the air. Wayne County was held to just 80 total yards, 59 rushing and 21 passing.

Rebel quarterback Cole Brown was 11 of 15 passing for 148 yards and a touchdown. He also had eleven carries for 127 yards and three touchdowns.

Jayden Callis had 15 rushes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Jacobi Melton caught four passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Callis had two catches for 48 yards. Avery Brown caught three for 23 yards, and Kason Brown had a pair of catches for 17 yards.

Aiden Legens had five solo tackles and two assists, with two tackles for a loss including a sack. C. Brown had five solo and two assists with one for a loss. Dawson Reeder had five solo tackles and four assists. Avery Brown had five solo and two assists. Lelan Gordon had two solo and four assists, and Matteo Tabada had two solo and three assists.

McKenzie (8-1, 4-0 in Region 6-1A) wraps up the regular season Friday as they host McEwen (5-3, 3-1) for a region game that will determine the top seed heading into the playoffs. Regardless, the Rebels will host a first-round game on November 7.

The regular-season finale is Senior Night. Senior players, managers, cheerleaders and band members will be recognized at 6:30 p.m. Kickoff is 7 p.m.