McKenzie High School Football Celebrates Phenomenal Season

McKENZIE (January 26) — Players, coaches, cheerleaders, family members, fans and members of the media gathered Sunday afternoon at McKenzie Church of Christ to celebrate another highly successful McKenzie High School football season and all of the people that made it possible.

The Rebels had plenty to celebrate after a 13-1 season (10-0 in the regular season) that ended with a narrow road loss in the semifinals to eventual state champion MASE. The team’s success includes many individual accolades, including some entries into the TSSAA record books.

Following welcoming remarks by Principal Kelly Spivey and a prayer by junior player Ryan Toombs, guests enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Hometown Hangout.

As guests finished dessert, Cheer Coach Brittany Colotta spoke, thanking school administration, the Touchdown Club, fans, parents and, finally, the cheerleaders for “giving their all until the very last moment of the season.” Colotta then recognized each member of the squad.

Senior football players presented each senior cheerleader with a gift.

First-year Head Coach Keith Hodge thanked a great many groups and individuals, then began the awards presentations.

Coach Austin Chapman presented 21 players and managers with first-year letterman awards. Another 37 earned standard letterman awards (second year on team, significant varsity playing time or year-long special teams starter).

Chapman then presented academic awards, 19 to players with 3.0-3.49 GPA and 17 to players with 3.5-4.0 GPA.

Coach Merritt Spence recognized players earning region and state accolades.

Tate Surber was the region MVP and Class 1A Mr. Football. He was named to the TNFCA and TSWA All-State teams and the All-West Tennessee team.

Cole Brown was named to the All-Region, TNFCA and TSWA All-State and All-West Tennessee teams.

KD Cunningham was named All-Region Defensive MVP and to the TNFCA All-State and All-West Tennessee teams.

Skyler Fornera was named to the All-Region, TNFCA and TSWA All-State and All-West Tennessee teams.

Ryan Toombs, Barry Swalley, Landon Brown, Colt Norden and Craegen Travis were named to the All-Region team.

Martez Teague, Gage Crosland, Lelan Gordon, Ethan Batton and Jacob Smith were named to the Second Team All-Region.

Coach Ben Carter presented the David Long Academic Award (highest GPA) to Tate Surber. Coach Kentrell Diggs presented the Kermit Holland 3-D Award (dedication, determination and discipline) to KD Cunningham. Coach Chris Wall presented the Impact Player of the Year Award to Cole Brown. Coach Ben Carter presented the Howard Nolen Team First Award to Craegen Travis. Coach Trey Cantrell presented the Coaches’ Award to Colt Norden. Coach David Duncan presented the Jerry Carter Century Award to Skyler Fornera. Cantrell presented the Unsung Hero Award to Landon Brown. Coach Hodge presented the Mr. Rebel Award to Tate Surber. Hodge then recognized some TSSAA records achieved by two Rebel players.

Tate Surber had the third most touchdowns in a season with 64, the sixth most total offense in a season with 4,389 yards and the ninth most touchdowns in a career.

Skyler Fornera had the tenth most PATs in a season with 80 and the ninth most consecutive PATs made with 59.

TD Club President Chad Batton presented gifts to the seniors, including large shadowboxes containing jerseys, photos and other mementos and a photo book.

Martez Teague, Gage Crosland, Colt Norden, Tate Surber, Craegen Travis, KD Cunningham and Jacob Smith, were recognized as four-year members of the team and presented with sport coats and plaques.

The teams these seven players played on had a combined record of 55-4 (39-1 in the regular season) with a championship, two runner-up finishes and a semifinals appearance.

Senior players presented gifts to the coaches.

TD Club officers Batton, Raven Cunningham (vice president), Reni Toombs (treasurer) and Lisa Stewart (secretary) were presented plaques.

Coaches Cantrell and Diggs gave emotional farewell remarks to the seniors, and Coach Hodge took a moment to recognize the middle school program.

Senior players include: Landon Brown, Gage Crosland, KD Cunningham, Skyler Fornera, Trey Gilbert, Aden Heath, Guillermo Hickman, Colt Norden, Jacob Smith, Tate Surber, Barry Swalley, Martez Teague and Craegen Travis.

Junior players include: Timmy Arline, Mason Batten, Ethan Batton, Aiden Callis, Jackson Cantrell, Khamari Coleman, Landin Deatherage, Matthew Gaylord, Davarion Gilbert, TJ Johnson, Evan Norman, Emil Schreitmueller and Ryan Toombs.

Sophomore players include: Avery Brown, Cole Brown, Casey Cunningham, Lelan Gordon, Christian Hytinen, Landon Knight, Jacobi Melton, Pedro Mendez, Aiden Orten, Joe Stallion, Matteo Tabada and Rayhan Zulmai.

Freshmen players include: Wyatt Brewer, Kason Brown, Jayden Callis, Cooper Davidson, Brody Davis, Kenneth Ellis, Jayden Gordon, Malakai Harris, Alex Hughes, Connor Mann, Wyatt Risner, Maddox Shiell, Hunter Sims, Gakhari Thomas, Jacion Townes and Hunter Winstead.

Managers include: Olivia Cantrell, Sophie Cole, senior Ally Gibson and senior Jaylin Megaw. Film crew: Eian Gibson and Laila McDade.

Sideline managers: Dawson Reeder and Parker Ross.

Coaches include: Head Coach Keith Hodge, Trey Cantrell, Ben Carter, Austin Chapman, Nick Chappell, Kentrell Diggs, David Duncan, Jacob Fuzzell, Merritt Spence, Zach Renfro and Chris Wall.

Cheerleaders include seniors Reese Gallimore, Laila Scott, Lydia Pate and Baylee Barden; juniors Tobey Brooks and Miley Prince; sophomores Brooke Murphy, Madelynn Pewitt, Cheyenne Risner and Aleecia Williams; and freshmen Addi Davis, Carleigh Lunn, Olivia Pate and Katelyn Prather.