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McKenzie's Austin McKinney
rushes. The McKenzie Rebel
visited Dresden's Rotary Field last Friday t
and before the night was over had cruised to
a 35-0 win over the host Lions, now 0-2.
McKenzie, playing their first game of the
2008 season, managed to capitalize on a
series of Dresden miscues on their way to
the victory. The Lions received the
opening kickoff of the game and started
their first offensive series from their own
37 yard line. The Lions marched steadily
downfield over the course of ten plays
before turning the ball over on downs at the
Rebel 32 yard line. Starting at the 32,
McKenzie went to work and five plays later
scored on a two-yard run by junior
runningback Quinton Bowden through the right
side of the line. Harris Laughrey kicked the
extra point to give McKenzie a 7-0 advantage
with 3:47 remaining in the first quarter.
The scoring drive was highlighted with
another five-yard carry by Bowden, a 14-yard
pass reception by wide receiver John
Johnson, and a 47-yard keeper by junior
quarterback, Austin McKinney to set up the
TD run by Bowden.
McKenzie's Quinton Bowden
rushes for yardage. Dresden
returned the McKenzie kickoff out to the
25-yard line and the Lions were forced to
punt on fourth down after failing to convert
for a first. On the punt, Rebel Zack McEwen
penetrated to block the punt, which was
quickly covered by McKenzie's Keon Williams
at the Dresden 15 yard line. On the first
play from scrimmage following the blocked
punt, Rebel Jacob Fussell took the McKinney
hand-off and ran straight up the center of
the line to give McKenzie its second TD of
the evening with 1:18 remaining in the first
quarter. Laughrey's kick on the extra point
attempt was off to the right side of the
uprights to leave the Rebels with a 13-0
lead headed into the second quarter. The
two teams then traded a pair of possessions
before the Lions took over at their own 23
yard line on downs. On the fourth play of
the ensuing offensive set, the Lions were
running a pitch play when McKenzie's Austin
Taylor interceded in the backfield to
intercept the pitchout and run the football
in from about 33 yards out for the third
Rebel TD of the evening.
On the points after attempt, McKenzie
quarterback Austin McKinney took the snap
and ran the ball in for a two-point
conversion to give the Rebels a 21-0 lead
with 5:12 remaining in the second quarter.
On the kickoff following the score,
Dresden's Brandon Pittman received the kick
at the 13 and returned it out to the 22
before being met by a wall of McKenzie
tacklers who forced a fumble that was
recovered by the Rebels at the 22. On first
down following the fumble, McKinney fired a
bullet to senior tight end Nick Chappel to
score the fourth Rebel TD of the evening
with 4:57 remaining in the first half.
Laughrey's kick on the PAT was on target to
make the score 28-0. McKenzie received the
second half kickoff, but were forced to punt
after being unable to sustain a drive beyond
the 50 yard line. Dresden took over at its
own 17 yard line following the punt and
likewise was forced to punt on the sixth
play of the offensive series to return
possession to McKenzie at the Rebel 34 yard
line. On the first play following the punt,
McKenzie's Bowden took the McKinney handoff
and picked up a couple of good blocks as he
sprinted around the left side of the line
for a 66-yard TD run. Laughrey's PAT kick
was good to finalize the Rebel scoring at 35
points with 2:54 remaining in the third
quarter. The balance of the game, neither
team was able to sustain a prolonged drive
or mount a scoring threat. Statistically,
Dresden had eight earned first downs; rushed
35 times to gain 111 yards on the ground;
completed one of six passes to give up two
yards through the air; fumbled three times
giving up possession on all three miscues;
punted four times; and was penalized four
times to give up 30 yards. McKenzie had
seven earned first downs; rushed 20 times to
gain 205 yards on the ground; completed five
of eight passes to gain 74 yards through the
air; did not have any fumbles; punted one
time; and was penalized four times to give
up 30 yards. Zach Jolley led the offensive
effort for the Lions with 11 carries good
for 37 yards. Daniel Harris ran the ball 10
times to pick up 36 yards and caught the
only Dresden pass reception of the evening
to give up two yards. Zach Garner ran five
times to gain 32 yards. Jackie Dean carried
six times to gain 12 yards. Jonathon Boyd
picked up 11 yards on one carry and Isaac
Butler gained one yard on a single run.
For McKenzie, Quinton Bowden was the
offensive leader with 118 yards gained on 12
running plays that included two touchdowns.
Bowden also had a pass reception good for
eight yards. Quarterback Austin McKinney
kept the ball eight times to gain 93 yards.
Jacob Fussell rushed seven times to pick up
25 yards and a TD. Richie Clark had a pass
reception good for 24 yards. Nick Chappel
had a single pass reception for 22 yards and
a TD. John Johnson caught two passes good
for 20 yards and Jace Hargrove had two
rushes to pick up 10 yards. This week,
Dresden will host Trenton-Peabody at home
and McKenzie will open its home stand with a
regional contest against the Central Tigers
from Bruceton. |
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