Callis, Rebels Run Rampant Over Trojans, 55-6

COLLINWOOD (October 3) — McKenzie High School made the long trek to Collinwood High School Friday for a region football contest and made another strong statement with a 55-6 win.

The Trojans had no answer for the Rebel offense, particularly for sophomore Jayden Callis, who ran for 296 yards and five touchdowns in his second week as the Rebels' primary running back.

McKenzie won the coin toss and deferred possession.

The Rebel defense held Collinwood to a three-and-out on their first possession. The punt was downed at the McKenzie 42.

The Rebels kept it mostly on the ground in the hands of Callis, but mixed in a few passes from Cole Brown to Jacobi Melton. A ten-play drive was capped by a four-yard touchdown by Callis. Aiden Mason kicked the PAT, and McKenzie led 7-0 halfway through the opening frame.

Another quick three-and-out and punt had the Rebels back on offense at the Trojan 41.

Eight plays got the Rebels back in the end zone, this time with C. Brown keeping for five yards. Mason kicked, and McKenzie led 14-0 with just over two minutes to play in the first quarter.

Collinwood fumbled on the first snap of the ensuing drive, and Rebel Aiden Callis claimed the loose ball at the Trojan 17.

C. Brown threw to J. Callis for a touchdown, but a penalty negated the score. Callis then ran it in from the 22, and McKenzie led 20-0 after a failed PAT with two minutes remaining in the first.

The Trojans went three-and-out again and punted on the first play of the second quarter. The poor kick went out of bounds after just six yards, but a McKenzie penalty after the play gave the Rebels the ball at the Collinwood 28.

For the first time, the McKenzie offense struggled and turned the ball over on downs at the 24.

The Trojans put together their only scoring drive of the game, 76 yards on eight plays. An incomplete pass on the two-point try left the scored 20-6 with seven minutes to play in the first half.

A short kickoff by Collinwood started McKenzie at their 38, and J. Callis took it 62 yards to paydirt on the first snap. Another missed kick made it 26-6 halfway through the second frame.

The Trojans were moving the ball well, earning a first down near midfield, before Rebel Aiden Legens knocked the ball loose and Lelan Gordon scooped it up for a 49-yard fumble return touchdown. C. Brown kept for two points, and McKenzie led 34-6 with under three minutes left in the half.

The Rebel defense forced another three-and-out and received the punt with a minute left. McKenzie moved the ball quickly, but time expired.

The Rebels received a deep second-half kick, and J. Callis took the first snap 85 yards to the house. Mason got back on track with the PAT, and McKenzie led 41-6 early in the third frame.

Collinwood went three-and-out and punted.

The Rebels took to the air on the next possession, going 59 yards as C. Brown completed three straight passes for first downs, then kept for a one-yard score. Mason's PAT put McKenzie up 48-6 halfway through the third quarter.

The Trojans sustained a drive into the final frame, earning three first downs before turning the ball over on downs at the Rebel 3.

McKenzie's final scoring drive was 97 yards on eight plays, all on the ground. J. Callis punched it in from the 2 and Mason kicked for a 55-6 lead with five minutes to play.

The Rebel defense didn't let up in the late game, forcing another three-and-out, punctuated by a third-down sack by Rebel Cooper Davidson.

After the punt, C. Brown took a knee in victory formation.

McKenzie had 525 yards of total offense, including 367 on the ground and 158 in the air. Collinwood was held to 158 yards, 138 rushing and 20 passing.

Rebel Jayden Callis had 296 rushing yards on 16 carries for five touchdowns. Cole Brown ran seven times for 71 yards and two touchdowns.

C. Brown was 11 of 16 passing for 158 yards.

Jacobi Melton had five receptions for 82 yards. Avery Brown caught two passes for 34 yards. Jaden Blanton had two catches for 13 yards. J. Callis caught one pass for 16 yards, and Kason Brown had a 13-yard catch.

C. Brown led the defense with eight solo tackles and three assists, including two for a loss and a sack. Cooper Davidson had five solo and four assists with two for a loss and a sack. Aiden Legens had six solo and three assists with a sack.

Dawson Reeder had six solo and five assists, with one for a loss. Maddox Shiell had six solo and an assist. Lelan Gordon had four solo and six assists. Mason Batten had three solo and five assists. Aiden Callis had two solo and one assist, with two for a loss and a sack.

The Rebels (6-1, 2-0) travel to Hollow Rock-Bruceton Friday for another region bout. Kickoff is 7 p.m.