Sign Commemorates 70 Years of Rebel Stadium

McKENZIE (September 13) — During McKenzie’s rainy win Friday night, a new sign was presented commemorating the 70th anniversary of Rebel Stadium.

The sign reads:
“Rebel Stadium, constructed in 1954, saw its first Rebel Football home game played the same year. While the first home game was a loss, it was the beginning of a community centerpiece that has seen thousands of players and coaches, and tens of thousands of cheering Rebel fans in its storied history. The 1973 season produced the first 10-win regular season (10-1) for the Rebel Football team. In the 1980 season, the Rebels won their first TSSAA State Playoff game, defeating Old Hickory Academy, 33-6. In 1985, the district reversed the home and visitor bleachers and expanded seating, renovated the field house, and added a new press box. Rebel Football had the first undefeated regular season in 2001, going 13-1. The 2007 season saw several significant achievements.

“Rebel Football had their first-ever TSSAA Semi-Final win over Mt. Pleasant, 35-32, and finished the season as Runner-up in the TSSAA Class 1A State Championship. Also in 2007, several major Rebel Stadium renovations took place—the home and visitor bleachers were reversed back to their original configuration, new dressing rooms were added for players, coaches, and officials, as well as a new press box and home-side concession stand. Recently, Rebel Football has continued the gridiron success.

“The 2021 season was momentous, with Rebel Football finishing the season with a 14-1 record, and Runner-Up in the TSSAA Class 1A State Championship. The 2022 season resulted in McKenzie High School Rebel Football’s first-ever State Championship, as the Rebels defeated Clay County, 34-14, for the TSSAA Class 1A Title.

“The 2022 Rebels also finished the season perfectly with a 15-0 final record. The Rebels made another tremendous run in 2023, finishing the season as the TSSAA Class 1A State Runner-Up (13-2 record).

“In addition to McKenzie High School football games, hundreds of McKenzie Middle School football games, and just as many community-league games have been played at Rebel Stadium, positively impacting generations and thousands of student-athletes. McKenzie Special School District and the community of McKenzie are excited to see what the next 70 years hold for Rebel Stadium and our Rebel Football programs! Go Rebels!”

The sign was produced by Tri-County Publishing.