Mustangs Top Rebels in Season Opener, 41-21

McKENZIE (August 22) — The high school football season kicked off Friday night as the McKenzie Rebels hosted rival Huntingdon. As usual, a huge crowd gathered at Randy Thomas Field for the highly-anticipated contest.
The Mustangs capitalized on costly McKenzie turnovers to take a big lead early. The Rebels rallied in the midgame, but Huntingdon pulled away down the stretch for a 41-21 win.
Huntingdon won the coin toss and deferred possession.
McKenzie managed a first down, but Mustang Broox Bennett intercepted a pass by Rebel quarterback Cole Brown in McKenzie territory.
The Mustangs kept the ball on the ground for a seven-play, 28-yard drive capped by a two-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal by Kenton Smith. Greyson Anderson kicked the PAT, and Huntingdon led 7-0 halfway through the first frame.
Rebel Jacobi Melton made an excellent return to the McKenzie 44, and the Rebels earned a pair of first downs to get to the 17. Mustang Tyreke Hutch intercepted C. Brown's pass in the red zone for another McKenzie turnover.
Huntingdon scored their second touchdown on six plays for 91 yards, with Smith going 38 yards for the score. Ethan Raffield kicked the PAT, and the Mustangs led 14-0 early in the second quarter.
C. Brown completed several passes to Melton to get the ball near midfield, but the drive stalled and Brown punted.
The Mustangs took over at their 20, and Hutch went 80 yards on the first snap for the touchdown. Anderson kicked again, and Huntingdon led 21-0 with 7:42 to play in the first half.
McKenzie had a burst of momentum as Melton returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Aiden Mason kicked the PAT, and the Mustang lead was cut to 21-7.
The Rebel defense got its first stop of the night, forcing a Mustang punt near midfield.
The teams traded three-and-outs, then Mustang DJ Armour recovered a Rebel fumble with under a minute to play.
Huntingdon got the ball down to the Rebel 2, but the defense held to keep the score 21-7 at the half.
The Mustangs received the second-half kick, but a fumble on the first snap was recovered by Rebel Maddox Shiell at the Huntingdon 26.
C. Brown kept for five, then threw to Lelan Gordon to set up first-and-goal at the 4. Brown needed two tries to punch it in, and Mason's kick cut the Rebel deficit to 21-14 early in the third quarter.
McKenzie's momentum was brief as Mustang quarterback Braylin Dearmon kept the first snap for a 63-yard touchdown. Anderson kicked to make it 28-14.
The Rebels earned a pair of first downs before stalling at the Mustang 36 with an incomplete pass on fourth down.
Dearmon again broke free on the first snap, but was stopped at the 1 by C. Brown. Hayes Eubanks punched it in on the next play, and an Anderson kick gave Huntingdon a 35-14 advantage halfway through the third.
McKenzie put together a solid drive, mixing passes from C. Brown to Melton and Avery Brown with runs by Timmy Arline. The seven-play series resulted in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Melton. Mason kicked, and the Huntingdon lead was 35-21.
Play turned chippy as the third quarter wound down, with both teams earning unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, but things cooled off when the fourth began. The Mustangs kept it on the ground, mixing in carries by Dearmon, Smith and Eubanks. Dearmon got the final touch, a one-yard keeper. Huntingdon went for two, but a host of Rebels stifled the play. With 8:24 to play, the Mustangs led 41-21.
McKenzie went three-and-out, then Huntingdon ran off a chunk of clock but ultimately turned the ball over on downs.
The Rebels took over with two minutes to play, but turned it over with a fumble. Dearmon took a knee three times to run out the clock.
Huntingdon had 475 yards of total offense, 449 rushing and 26 passing, with 17 first downs and one turnover.
McKenzie had 244 yards of offense, 187 passing and 57 rushing, with eleven first downs and four turnovers.
Rebel quarterback Cole Brown was 17 of 29, passing for 187 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Mustang Braylin Dearmon was 1 of 4 for 26 yards.
Dearmon led the Huntingdon ground game with 22 carries for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Tyreke Hutch had two carries for 93 yards with a touchdown. Kenton Smith had two rushing touchdowns.
C. Brown led McKenzie with ten rushes for 19 yards and a touchdown. Timmy Arline had seven carries for 38 yards.
Jacobi Melton had ten receptions for the Rebels for 132 yards and a touchdown. Avery Brown had three catches for 33 yards.
Xander Johnsey led the Rebel defense with four tackles, two for losses. Cole Brown had three tackles and two assists. Lelan Gordon had three tackles (one for a loss) and three assists. Matteo Tabada had three tackles and an assist. Mason Batten had three tackles, one for a loss.
Broox Bennett led Huntingdon with three tackles.
McKenzie (0-1) hosts Dresden Friday, while Huntingdon (1-0) travels to Camden.