Rebels Dominate Tigers, Advance to Title Game

McKENZIE (November 28) — For the fourth time in five years, the McKenzie High School Rebels will compete for the TSSAA Class 1A State Football Championship after a convincing 39-0 drubbing of Fayetteville in Friday’s semifinal round.

McKenzie will face South Pittsburg at 3 p.m. Friday, December 5 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. The Rebels and Pirates have a storied championship history with three previous meetings. South Pittsburg has won each of the three: 52-20 in 2007, 24-21 in 2021 and 14-7 in 2023. The Pirates exited the playoffs early in 2022, when McKenzie claimed its first title. The Rebels lost in the semifinals last year to MASE, who defeated South Pittsburg in the championship the following week.

In Friday's semifinal, McKenzie won the toss and elected to defer possession.

Fayetteville returned the opening kickoff to near midfield, but the Rebel defense forced a quick three-and-out. The punt was downed at the McKenzie 24.

Timmy Arline started the Rebel drive with a short gain, then quarterback Cole Brown found Jacobi Melton for a 74-yard touchdown. The PAT missed, and McKenzie led 6-0 with just under ten minutes remaining in the first frame.

The Tigers began their second drive at their 34 and earned a pair of first downs to get across midfield. Then, quarterback Nyles Barnett’s deep pass was intercepted by Rebel Kason Brown. A block in the back penalty on the return backed McKenzie to their 5.

McKenzie mixed up their attack on the 15-play, 95-yard drive, and Arline punched it in from the 1. A two-point attempt failed, but the Rebels had a 12-0 lead with half a minute remaining in the first quarter.

A ten-play, 66-yard Fayetteville drive ended at the Rebel 5 with an incomplete fourth-down pass.

Taking over at the 5 again, C. Brown started with a short pass to Jayden Callis, then, two plays later, he found Melton again for a 92-yard score. Aiden Mason kicked the PAT, and McKenzie led 19-0 halfway through the second quarter.

The Tigers managed a first down before punting. Rebel Xander Johnsey blocked the punt, and McKenzie took over at the Fayetteville 38.

C. Brown passed to K. Brown on the first snap for a touchdown. Another two-point attempt failed, but the Rebel lead was 25-0 with three minutes left in the first half.

Fayetteville earned three first downs before facing a fourth-and-long with two seconds left. Barnett took a shot downfield, but C. Brown came up with the interception and made a short return to end the half.

An unexpected onside kick attempt by the Tigers to start the second half was successful, and they started their drive in Rebel territory.

Fayetteville managed four first downs, but back-to-back penalties made it third-and-long. Barnett passed it deep, and K. Brown came down with his second interception of the night.

Taking over at the 14, C. Brown threw to Melton, then Arline ran twice to move the chains. C. Brown tossed to Arline for another short gain, then kept the next snap for a 72-yard touchdown. Mason hit the PAT, and the Rebels led 32-0 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

On their third play of the ensuing drive and the final play of the third quarter, Barnett tossed a lateral pass to Quasean Black, who made a pass downfield. K. Brown made it three interceptions in the game.

Taking over at the McKenzie 34, Callis did most of the legwork in an eight-play drive and capped it with a one-yard score. Mason kicked, and the Rebels led 39-0 halfway through the final frame.

Fayetteville made a long kickoff return, then converted a fourth down to get inside the Rebel 20 before time expired.

McKenzie had 445 yards of total offense, 268 yards passing and 177 yards rushing. Fayetteville had 202 total yards, 42 in the air and 160 on the ground.

Rebel quarterback Cole Brown was ten of 12 passing for 268 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed four times for 80 yards with one touchdown.

Timmy Arline had eleven carries for 58 yards with one touchdown. Jayden Callis rushed six times for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Jacobi Melton had three catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Kason Brown caught one pass, a 38-yard touchdown. Jayden Callis had four catches for 30 yards, and Lelan Gordon had a 29-yard catch.

Xander Johnsey led the defense with seven solo tackles, two assists and a blocked punt. Aiden Legens had six solo and one assist, including one tackle for a loss. Cole Brown had five solo and three assists with one for a loss and an interception.

Cayden Gordon had five solo and four assists. Maddox Shiell had five solo tackles and one assist. Kason Brown had four solo and four assists along with three interceptions. Mason Batten had four solo and two assists. Cooper Davidson had four solo and one assist. Lelan Gordon had three solo and one assist. Ethan Batton had two solo tackles.