Rebels Cage Tigers, 69-7

McKENZIE (September 26) — McKenzie High School hosted Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central for a Region 6-1A football contest Thursday night, moved up from Friday because of Hurricane Helene.

The top-ranked Rebels had another big first half, scoring nine touchdowns in the first two quarters for the second week in a row. Each team scored once in a quick second half, and McKenzie claimed a 69-7 win over the Tigers.

Central won the toss and received the opening kickoff, but the first play from scrimmage resulted in a fumble recovered by the Rebels.

Taking over at the Tiger 35, McKenzie earned a quick first down but soon faced a third-and-14. Quarterback Tate Surber threw to Landon Brown, who made a diving catch to save the drive. The play still left it fourth-and-two, but Surber kept for eleven yards. On first-and-goal, Timmy Arline punched it in from two yards out. A rare two-point try from the Rebels was unsuccessful, but they led 6-0 with 9:16 to play in the first frame.

Tiger Brady Roberts received the ensuing kick inside the 5 and returned it to the 18. It was soon third-and-eleven, but quarterback Caden Dean found Roberts for 26 yards. The next play resulted in offsetting penalties, then Central was flagged for a false start. Rebel Cole Brown made a big stop for a five-yard loss, then Dean kept for three yards. On third-and-17, Dean threw incomplete, but pass interference was called. The result made it third-and-two, and a McKenzie offside moved the chains. Dean kept for a short gain, then threw an interception to Rebel Gage Crosland.

Taking over at the McKenzie 30, Surber threw to C. Brown for a 70-yard touchdown. Skyler Fornera kicked the PAT, and the Rebels led 13-0 with five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

McKenzie was penalized after the touchdown, so Guillermo Hickman kicked from ten yards deeper. The ball went out of bounds, drawing another flag, and Central started at midfield. Three incomplete passes and a pair of false starts doomed the Tigers to a three-and-out. Tanner Walters’ punt was tipped by Fornera and went out of bounds at the Rebel 36.

A good run by Surber moved the chains, and, two plays later, Arline went 18 to move into Tiger territory. After a short pass play, Arline gained 16, with yards tacked on for a Central penalty. Surber then kept for a 17-yard touchdown. Fornera kicked, and McKenzie led 20-0 with 2:23 left in the first.

Hickman kicked for a touchback, starting the Tigers at the 20. L. Brown stopped Roberts for an eleven-yard loss. Surber forced Roberts out of bounds after just a yard, then back-to-back false starts had Central facing third-and-long inside the 3. Tiger Johnny Tilley, III got to the 4 before meeting a host of gray jerseys, but that gave Walters enough room to punt from the back of the end zone. A strong kick and some favorable bounces set McKenzie at their 47.

Surber threw incomplete, then scrambled out of bounds for six yards. He threw to C. Brown, but Braxton Howard was there for the stop after just a yard as the first frame ended. Facing fourth-and-three to start the second quarter, Surber kept for 13 up the middle. He then threw to Colt Norden, who weaved his way 33 yards to the end zone. Fornera’s PAT gave the Rebels a 27-0 lead early in the second.

Central went three-and-out again, Walters’ punt going out of bounds at the Rebel 45.

Arline and Surber took turns running the ball, earning a pair of first downs before a 14-yard Surber touchdown. Forenera kicked, and the McKenzie lead was 34-0 with 7:38 left in the second frame.

Another three-and-out ended with a Walters punt downed at the Tiger 45.

Norden ran for 38, then Arline followed with a seven-yard touchdown. Fornera’s point-after was good, and the Rebels led 41-0 with under five minutes to play in the first half.

Central went three-and-out again, but this time, C. Brown returned the punt 37 yards for a touchdown. With the PAT, McKenzie led 48-0 with 2:57 on the clock.

A McKenzie penalty and another out-of-bounds kickoff gave the Tigers the ball at midfield. On first down, a bad snap was scooped up by Rebel KD Cunningham and returned 43 yards to the end zone. Fornera kicked, and it was 55-0 with 2:48 left in the half.

Central fumbled the kickoff return, recovered by Rebel Aden Heath at the 17. Arline ran for ten, then repeated for a seven-yard touchdown. The point-after was good for a 62-0 McKenzie advantage just under two minutes before the break.

The Tigers received the kickoff, but a bad snap on first down was recovered by C. Brown for the Rebels. McKenzie took a knee twice to run out the half.

The Rebels received the ball to start the second half, starting at their 20 after a touchback by Walters. McKenzie substituted heavily, including Kason Brown at quarterback and Matteo Tabada at running back. The pair kept it on the ground, earning a pair of first downs before turning the ball over on downs at the Tiger 29.

Taking over, Dean’s first-down pass was intercepted by Martez Teague and returned 23 yards to the Central 37.

Tabada ran for 15, then gained another three before meeting Carter Lowe. Rebel Gakhari Thomas dragged many defenders for a ten-yard gain as the third quarter ended. Starting the final frame on first-and-goal, Tabada rushed for a nine-yard score. Fornera completed another perfect night of PATs, and McKenzie led 69-0 early in the fourth.

King received the kickoff and escaped a tackle near midfield en route to an 84-yard touchdown return. Walter kicked the PAT, and Central was on the board, 69-7, with nine minutes to play.

Tabada had four carries and K. Brown a pair as the Rebels earned three first downs. With K. Brown losing his helmet on the last carry, Cooper Davidson entered at quarterback to take knee twice and run out the clock.

McKenzie had 459 yards of total offense, holding Central to three yards.

Rebel quarterback Tate Surber was 8 of 11 passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He had nine carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns.

Timmy Arline had ten carries for 86 yards and three touchdowns.

Matteo Tabada led McKenzie in carries and rushing yards with 11 and 95, scoring one touchdown.

Kason Brown ran six times for 35 yards.

Colt Norden had two catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Cole Brown had five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Tiger quarterback Caden Dean was 1 of 5 passing for 26 yards. Brady Roberts had the one reception.

Cole Brown led the Rebel defense with three tackles, one for a loss.

Landon Brown had two tackles, one for a loss.

Tigers Caden Dean and Johnny Tilley, III each had two tackles with one for a loss.

McKenzie (6-0, 2-0) hosts Perry County, another region opponent, at Friday’s Homecoming.

Central (1-5, 0-1) hosts Houston County, also a region opponent, Friday.