Rebels Dominate Scotts Hill, 63-0

McKENZIE (September 20) — McKenzie High School hosted Class 3A Scotts Hill Friday. The Rebels didn’t afford the Lions even a semblance of momentum in the contest, scoring five times in the first quarter and stifling the Scotts Hill offense to -47 yards overall. McKenzie added four more touchdowns before the break and, after a mercifully short second half, claimed the 63-0 victory.

During halftime, Rebel fans got a peek at the future of MHS football as players from the McKenzie Youth Football League and the McKenzie Middle School Rebels were recognized on the field.

Scotts Hill received the opening kick, and the Rebel defense forced a three-and-out and punt. Barry Swalley had two big stops, including a sack.

The Rebels started a seven-play scoring drive at their 37. Cole Brown, Timmy Arline and Tate Surber each had first-down runs and Surber threw to Landon Brown for eleven yards. Arline capped the drive with a five-yard touchdown run, and Skyler Fornera kicked the extra point for a 7-0 McKenzie lead with 8:32 to play in the first frame.

Rebel Guillermo Hickman kicked it into the end zone for a touchback. KD Cunningham and Trey Gilbert made a tackle in the backfield, then Fornera intercepted a pass by Lion Parker Savage and ran it back for a 30-yard pick-six. Fornera added the PAT, and McKenzie led 14-0 with 7:47 left in the first.

The Lions started deep and went three-and-out again on three incomplete passes. Arline returned the punt 16 yards to the Scotts Hill 46.

Surber threw deep on first down to C. Brown for a 46-yard touchdown. Fornera kicked, and the Rebels led 21-0 with seven minutes to play in the opening frame.

Starting at the 31, Savage completed one of two passes and dropped back for a third, but Cunningham was there for a seven-yard sack and another three-and-out. A high snap on the punt attempt was picked up by the punter and ran out of bounds at the Lion 9.

An offside penalty against Scotts Hill moved the ball to the 4, and Surber did the rest on a third-down keeper. Fornera made it 28-0 with 4:26 remaining in the first quarter.

After the touchback by Hickman, Swalley and Craegen Travis tackled Savage for a loss. Savage then threw incomplete twice, the latter batted down by L. Brown. Another three-and-out led to another punt, this one successful and downed at the Rebel 36.

Surber connected with C. Brown twice for 15 and six yards, then Arline gained seven to move the chains. C. Brown took a handoff 27 yards to the 9, then Arline punched it in on runs of eight and one yard. With the PAT, McKenzie led 35-0 in the final minute of the first frame.

Starting deep after the kickoff, Lion Robert Presley gained two on the final play of the first, but lost three to start the second on a stop by Rebel Maddox Shiell. Savage scrambled toward the sideline, hounded by Travis, and made a last-second pass that was intercepted by Hickman at the 25.

Surber threw to Martez Teague for 15, then kept for a 10-yard score. Fornera kicked, and the Rebels led 42-0 with 10:44 to play in the second quarter.

Scotts Hill went three-and-out again. The punt from the end zone was downed at the Lion 34.

Arline ran for four, then Surber threw to Teague for a yard. Surber then hit L. Brown for a 29-yard touchdown. The kick made it 49-0 with 7:24 remaining in the first half.

A penalty on the kickoff return set the Lions back at their 10. Savage threw incomplete, then Presley made a short gain. Savage’s next throw was intercepted by L. Brown and returned six yards for a touchdown. Fornera’s PAT gave McKenzie a 56-0 advantage halfway through he second frame.

The Rebel defense forced another three-and-out. Teague nearly picked off another Lion pass, Shiell made a stop at the line of scrimmage and L. Brown had a seven-yard sack. The punt gave McKenzie the ball at midfield.

Six running plays ate up the remainder of the half, with C. Brown scoring from seven yards out as time expired. Fornera completed a perfect night of extra points, and the score at the half was 63-0.

The second half was played with six minute quarters and the clock running.

The Rebels received the ball but fumbled on the first play. Lion Marco Pedraza made the recovery in McKenzie territory.

Scotts Hill failed to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs.

New Rebel quarterback Kason Brown and running back Matteo Tabada kept it on the ground, gradually advancing the ball while running out the remainder of the third and then the fourth quarter. Two snaps in victory formation wrapped up the win.

Rebel quarterback Tate Surber was 8-of-11 passing for 149 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed four times for 34 yards and two touchdowns.

Timmy Arline rushed eleven times for 78 yards with two touchdowns.

Cole Brown had three carries for 30 yards with one touchdown and four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Landon Brown had two catches for 49 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, Rebels Craegen Travis, Landon Brown, KD Cunningham, Davarion Gilbert and Barry Swalley each had a sack.

McKenzie (5-0, 1-0) hosts region opponent Hollow Rock-Bruceton Friday. Kickoff is 7 p.m. It will be Senior Night for the Rebels.