Rebels Cage Giles County Bobcats

PULASKI (October 25) — On Friday, the McKenzie Rebels made the two-and-half-hour trek to Pulaski, Tennessee to take on the 3A Giles County Bobcats. Despite a slow first quarter, the Rebels picked up their ninth win of the season with the 47-14 victory.

McKenzie ran 45 plays accumulating 358 total yards (234 passing and 124 rushing). Leading the aerial assault was Tate Surber who went 14 of 20 passing for 234 yards and three touchdowns. In receiving, Cole Brown led the Rebels with four receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown.

Surber also led the Rebels in rushing yards with 11 carries for 95 yards and three touchdowns. Behind him was Colt Norden with four carries for 10 yards.

Defensively, McKenzie limited Giles County to 201 total yards (85 passing and 116 rushing). Skyler Fornera had six tackles and three assists, Surber had three tackles and one assist, and KD Cunningham had three tackles with one assist and one tackle for a loss. Lelan Gordon had a pick-six and Landon Brown was credited with an interception.

Looking at the scoring drives, at the 11:51 mark of the second quarter McKenzie put the first points on the board. The drive started in the final minutes of the first quarter off of an interception by L. Brown at the McKenzie 43 yard line. The Rebels moved the ball down, and on fourth-and-goal from the three yard line, Surber punched it into the endzone. Fornera added the PAT as the Rebels went up 7-0.

After a quick three-and-out, McKenzie was on the match. At the 8:22 mark of the second quarter, Surber and C. Brown teamed up on the 43-yard touchdown. Fornera’s PAT put the score at 14-0.

Less than two minutes later, the Rebels were in the endzone on a Surber and Avery Brown combo for the third TD. Fornera’s extra point increased the McKenzie lead 21-0. To wrap up the half, Surber scored on an eight-yard run. The extra point was wide as the halftime score moved to 27-0.

In the third quarter, the Rebels kept up the pressure. On their first offensive series of the second half, Surber found an open receiver in Melton for the 35-yard touchdown pass. Fornera’s PAT increased the lead 34-0 which induced a short-lived running clock.

Giles County scored its first points on the next drive. From two yards out on third-and-goal, Dallas Buckner crossed the goal line. Cooper White added the extra point, making the score 34-7 and stopped the running clock.

At the 8:52 mark of the fourth quarter, Devon Wilburn scored for the Bobcats. The PAT made the score 34-14.

With 5:45 to play, Surber broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown. Then with 4:02 to play, Gordon had an interception he returned for 34 yards. Both PATs by Fornera were good as the Rebels came away with the 47-14 win.

Next week, the Rebels (9-0) return to Carroll County but are on the road at West Carroll (5-4). Game time is 7 p.m.