McKenzie Routs Stewart County, 40-8

McKENZIE (September 5) — In a battle of Rebels versus Rebels, the hometown red and gray was dominant on both sides of the ball against the visiting black and gold as McKenzie Middle School defeated Stewart County 40-8 behind a balanced offensive attack and smothering defense.

McKenzie received the opening kick and needed just two plays to get on the board with a 63-yard keeper by quarterback Parker Ross. Ross threw to Dawson Reeder for the two-point conversion, and McKenzie led 8-0 just over a minute into the game.

The hometown defense pushed Stewart County back on every play of their first drive, and a fake punt-turned-scramble on fourth-and-17 cost the visitors another ten yards as McKenzie took over at the 29.

Ross threw incomplete, then Reeder gained six. On third down, Ross weaved his way 23 yards to the end zone. He kept to add two points, and the lead was 16-0 with four minutes to play in the first quarter.

The McKenzie kickoff went out of bounds, giving Stewart County great position at their 45. They failed to capitalize, and on third down, quarterback Jonathan Byrd’s pass was intercepted by Lane Brown in McKenzie territory.

Taking over at the 30, Ross threw to Seth Stafford to move the chains. Two plays later, Ross went 48 yards to paydirt, but a penalty negated the score. Repeating the down, Ross’s pass was intercepted by Stewart County’s Gage Hanson.

Stewart County went three-and-out and punted on the first play of the second quarter, Ross making the return to the Stewart County 49.

Reeder made a short gain, then Ross kept for 24 yards. A penalty moved the ball back five yards, but Zayden Webb gained 14 and Reeder another five for a first-and-goal at the 8. A McKenzie false start moved it to the 13, but Ross threw to Cayden Gordon for the touchdown. He connected with L. Brown for two points, and McKenzie’s lead was 24-0 with five minutes to play in the first half.

The McKenzie defense forced another three-and-out on a pair of big plays. Bryson Smith made a shoestring tackle with Byrd looking at open space to run, and Gordon wrapped up Byrd for an eleven-yard sack. The punt from the goal line was downed at the Stewart County 22.

Webb ran to the end zone, but a holding penalty backed McKenzie up to the 31. Ross threw to L. Brown to get back near the original line of scrimmage. Two plays later, a throw to Reeder moved the chains to the 18. After a false start, Ross dropped back to pass but instead took off for a 23-yard touchdown. Reeder ran it in for two, and the lead was 32-0 under a minute before intermission.

Stewart County received the kick and ran one play before the break.

The visiting Rebels received the second-half kick, but lost yards on each play for a quick three-and-out. The punt from the 4 was downed at the 25.

Webb wasted no time, taking the first handoff all the way. Stafford, under center, kept for two points and a 40-0 McKenzie lead with two minutes of running clock remaining in the third quarter.

Stewart County sustained a drive through much of the final frame, moving the chains three times before Austin Smith broke loose for a 39-yard touchdown run. Levi Walker ran for two points to make the final score 40-8.

McKenzie received the kick as time expired.

The Rebels host Huntingdon Thursday at 6:30 p.m.