Rebels Rout Warriors on Senior Night for Region 6-1A Title

McKENZIE (October 31) — McKenzie High School claimed the Region 6-1A championship Friday night with a 54-0 drubbing of McEwen in the regular season finale.

It was also Senior Night at Randy Thomas Field. 17 senior football players, one manager, one cheerleader and five band members were honored before the game with family members on the field. (See separate story.)

The Halloween night game was certainly scary for McEwen as the Rebel defense was smothering and the offense was running on all cylinders.

McKenzie won the toss and deferred possession to the second half.

The Warriors went three-and-out on their first drive, and the punt was returned to midfield.

The Rebels traversed the 50 yards on six plays, capped by a five-yard pass on fourth-and-goal from Cole Brown to Lelan Gordon. Aiden Mason kicked the PAT, and McKenzie led 7-0 with seven minutes left in the opening frame.

Another three-and-out for McEwen was highlighted by a third-down sack by Rebel Maddox Shiell. A short punt gave the Rebels the ball at the Warrior 41.

Rebel Jayden Callis ran for 13 yards, then C. Brown threw to Avery Brown twice for ten and 17 yards, respectively. C. Brown punched it in from the 1, and Mason kicked for a 14-0 McKenzie lead with four minutes remaining in the first.

McEwen went backwards again for another three-and-out. Mason Batten and Dawson Reeder each made a tackle for a loss, then Shiell, Batten and Aiden Callis made a big third-down stop to force the punt.

McKenzie needed just one snap for a 48-yard touchdown pass from Cole to Avery. The PAT was no good, and the Rebels led 20-0 with a minute and a half left in the opening quarter.

Mason kicked for a touchback, and McEwen quarterback Tylon Carter's pass attempt was intercepted by A. Brown and returned to the Warrior 36.

C. Brown kept the first snap for a 36-yard score. After a failed PAT, McKenzie led 26-0 just 16 seconds after the previous touchdown.

McEwen started deep again, and a fumble on second down was recovered by Shiell at the 15.

Three carries by J. Callis brought up fourth down as the game moved into the second quarter, and C. Brown threw incomplete for the first blank drive by the Rebels.

Pinned even deeper in their own territory, the Warriors went three-and-out again and punted from the 12.

McKenzie took over at the 37 and scored on four plays. Cole connected with Avery for a 17-yard touchdown, then again for a two-point conversion. With 8:36 to play in the first half, the Rebels led 34-0.

McEwen found some momentum, earning a first down, but it fizzled quickly and resulted in another punt.

The Rebels started at their 38 and scored on five plays, alternating passes from C. Brown to A. Brown with runs by J. Callis. Cole kept for another one-yard touchdown. Mason's kick was good, and McKenzie led 41-0 with three minutes left in the half.

The Warriors managed to move the chains one time, but the Rebels then pushed them backward until time expired.

A short kickoff to start the second half put the Rebels at their 43. One of McKenzie's grindier drives, it took nine snaps to close the distance. C. Brown found Kason Brown for a six-yard catch, and a failed PAT made it 47-0 halfway through the third.

The Rebel defense forced yet another three-and-out, but the punt was touched by McKenzie and recovered by McEwen.

The miscue sparked something in the Warriors, and they moved the ball well as the third quarter ended. Two first downs brought them down to the Rebel 14, but a fumble was recovered by Rebel Cooper Davidson at the 17 halfway through the fourth.

J. Callis took the first snap seven yards, then took the next 76 yards to paydirt. Mason hit the PAT, and McKenzie led 54-0 with five minutes remaining.

McEwen ran three plays before time expired.

The Rebels had 460 yards of total offense on a balanced attack of 254 passing yards and 206 rushing. The Warriors were held to 61 total yards, 37 in the air and 24 on the ground.

McKenzie quarterback Cole Brown was 16 of 19 passing for 254 yards and four touchdowns. He also had six carries for 80 yards and three touchdowns.

Jayden Callis had eleven carries for 126 yards with one touchdown.

Avery Brown had seven catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. J. Callis caught three passes for 42 yards. Jacobi Melton had three catches for 38 yards. Kason Brown caught three passes for 34 yards with a touchdown. Lelan Gordon had one catch, a five-yard touchdown.

Dawson Reeder led the defense with five solo tackles and two assists. C. Brown had four solo and two assists, including one for a loss. Cooper Davidson had four solo and two assists with two for a loss. Aiden Legens had four solo and an assist with one for a loss. Lelan Gordon had four solo and one assist.

Maddox Shiell had three solo tackles and four assists, including two for a loss and a sack. Mason Batten had three solo and four assists with one for a loss. Avery Brown had three solo and one assist. Aiden Callis had two solo and two assists. Davarion Gilbert had a solo and two assists. Ethan Batton had one solo tackle and one assist.

The Rebels (9-1) begin postseason play Friday as they host the Region 5-1A fourth seed Huntland (6-4). Kickoff is 7 p.m.