Rebels Fall to Lexington, 34-16

McKENZIE (August 28) — The McKenzie Middle School Rebels hosted Lexington Thursday night. The visiting Minutemen were in control most of the game and took a shutout into the fourth quarter before the Rebels scored two late touchdowns for a 34-16 final.

In the first quarter Lexington kicked it off to the Rebels to start their first drive. McKenzie quarterback Seth Stafford kept the ball for a gain of two, then kept again and fumbled to start Lexington’s first drive on the Rebel 22 yard line.

Lexington ran the ball in for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good, making it Lexington 6, McKenzie 0.

Lexington kicked off to McKenzie to start their second drive on their own 35 yard line.

Stafford kept it for a nine-yard gain, and running back Jake Ghyers ran the ball for a loss, but an offside penalty against Lexington made it first-and-10. Stafford kept the ball for a gain of three to make it second-and-7, then kept again three times for gains of three, five and four to end the first quarter.

Stafford kept again to start the second quarter, but McKenzie soon punted.

Lexington punted on their next possession, and the Rebels started their drive on the 42 yard line.

A fumble on the McKenzie drive was recovered by the Minutemen.

Lexington scored on a 40-yard run and converted for two points to lead 14-0.

McKenzie punted the ball to Lexington on the next drive.

Two false starts pushed Lexington back, and Rebels Stafford and Fisher Allen sacked the QB for a loss, but an outside run resulted in an 89-yard touchdown. The two-point try was good making it McKenzie 0, Lexington 20.

Stafford threw to Lane Brown, then scrambled for a first down, but was sacked on the final play of the half.

McKenzie kicked it off to Lexington to begin the second half, but Rebel Jackson Barden intercepted the ball and went down to the 32 yard line to start the first drive for McKenzie.

The Rebels went three-and-out and punted.

A personal foul penalty against Lexington led to a punt, and McKenzie took over at the 40 yard line.

After another McKenzie punt, Lexington scored on a run down the sideline for a 59-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, making it McKenzie 0, Lexington 28.

Stafford kept, then threw incomplete before finding L. Brown for a first down. A personal foul gave the Rebels another first down. J. Ghyers got the ball for a gain of five, then Stafford ran the ball to the outside down the sideline for a 17-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion by D. Ghyers made it McKenzie 8, Lexington 28.

McKenzie kicks it off to Lexington, which was returned for a 50-plus-yard touchdown. The two-point try was no good, making it 8-34.

The teams traded fumbles, setting up McKenzie at the Minutemen 35. Stafford threw incomplete, then found L. Brown for 21 yards. Stafford kept the next snap for a five-yard touchdown. J. Ghyers ran for two points, and the score was 34-16.

Lexington took a knee three times to run out the clock.