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Middle School Football

Rebels Blank Lions, 24-0

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CAMDEN (October 1) — The McKenzie Middle School Rebel football team remains undefeated after a 24-0 road win over the Camden Junior High Lions.
The Rebel defense was dominant throughout, but the offense got off to a slow start. The game was scoreless until McKenzie put up two touchdowns in the final two and a half minutes of the first half. Camden threatened a few times in the second half, but the Rebels held strong and capped the victory with a score in the final minute.
McKenzie won the coin toss and deferred possession to the second half.
Camden received a short opening kickoff and started at the 40. After three short gains, the Lions went for it on fourth-and-two, but the Rebel defense stopped the run attempt for a loss and took over at the Camden 45.
Quarterback Tate Surber started McKenzie’s first drive with a pass to Colt Norden, who made a leaping catch for a 44-yard gain. The next play resulted in a fumble, and Camden’s Gage Lee dove on the ball to give the Lions possession at their own 13.
The Rebel defense forced a three-and-out, but a player ran into the kicker after the punt and the resulting penalty gave Camden a first down at the 33. McKenzie again kept the Lions at bay and C.J. Baker’s punt was downed at the 50.
The Rebels went three-and-out as the game moved into the second quarter with no score. Cordell Orgain’s punt was downed at the Camden 40.
Lion Bradley Chandler took a handoff to start the drive, but Norden stopped him for a four-yard loss. On second down, quarterback Eli Latendresse tossed to Chandler, who threw downfield to an open Baker for a 24-yard gain. Camden then committed false start penalties on three consecutive snaps to make it first-and-25. Three plays later, Baker punted.
McKenzie took over at the 14, and Norden took the first snap 86 yards to get the Rebels on the board. Surber kept for the two-point conversion, and the lead was 8-0 with 2:19 to play in the first half.
The Rebels opted for an onside attempt, and Skyler Fornera’s well-placed and bouncy kick was deflected even farther downfield before Norden secured it at the Lion 36.
Surber threw incomplete, then Norden went 28 yards down the sideline for a first-and-goal at the 8. Surber kept twice for two yards each, then a Camden offside penalty moved the ball to the 2. Norden punched it in, then Surber threw to Landon Brown for two points. With 29 seconds remaining before intermission, McKenzie led 16-0.

The Lions received the ensuing kick and managed one play before time expired.
Brown received the second-half kick and made a great return to the Camden 47. Surber threw incomplete, then scrambled for six yards. A Lion defender jumped offside to give McKenzie a free first down, then Norden escaped multiple tackles for an 18-yard gain. Three plays later, facing fourth-and-two at the 10, Surber threw incomplete under good pressure, and Camden took over on downs.
The Rebel defense kept the Lions deep in their own territory and forced a three-and-out. Baker’s punt was downed at the Camden 47.
McKenzie started the drive with a false start. Two plays later, on third-and-16, Surber’s pass was intercepted by Kyle Burkett. Surber made the tackle to prevent a touchdown, and the Lions took over at the Rebel 36.
Camden also started with a pre-snap penalty, then made two short runs before the third quarter ended. On the first play of the final frame, the Lion pass was intercepted by Surber and returned to near midfield.
The quick turnovers continued as Surber’s first-down pass deflected off the fingertips of intended receiver Norden and was picked off by Lion Isaac Moore.
Camden took over at the far 41 and managed to move the chains into Rebel territory, but soon faced fourth-and-long. Latendresse heaved a long pass, and Surber again made the interception, returning it about 30 yards to the Lion 45.
Norden ran for four, then went 41 for the score. Surber threw to Cameron Clark for two points, and McKenzie led 24-0 with under a minute to play.
The Lions received the ensuing kick and started at their own 36. Surber forced and recovered a fumble on first down, and the Rebels again had the ball with 38 seconds left.
Surber took a knee to run out the clock.
McKenzie (4-0) wraps the season Thursday at home against Dresden. Eighth graders will be recognized before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.