Rebels Move to 8-0 with Win Over Houston County

ERIN, Tenn. (October 11) — The McKenzie Rebels traveled to Houston County to take on the Fighting Irish in regional action. The Rebels continued their strong season play picking their fourth win in Region 6A.

Looking at the numbers, McKenzie racked up 476 yards while Houston County accumulated 254 yards. The Rebels had 236 passing yards compared to the 176 yards by the Irish. On the ground, McKenzie had 240 yards to Houston County’s 78 yards.

For McKenzie, Tate Surber was 12 of 17 with one interception and two touchdowns. He had 13 carries for 108 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Colt Norden had six carries for 103 yards and one touchdown. In receiving, Norden caught two passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. Cole Brown had five catches for 58 yards and Landon Brown had two catches for 28 yards.

On defense, Skyler Fornera had five tackles and three assists, C. Brown had five tackles with one assist, L. Brown had four tackles and one sack, and KD Cunningham had three solo tackles with two assists and one tackle for a loss.

Houston County’s Robert Kizer was seven of fourteen passing with one touchdown. On the ground, Preston Mitchell had 20 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown.

In the first quarter, the Rebels were able to score three touchdowns. On the first drive, McKenzie’s Norden scored on the second play from 53 yards out. Fornera tacked on the extra point, posting the score at 7-0 at the 11:11 mark.

Houston County had a turnover on downs on their first offensive series. McKenzie took over near midfield. Seven plays later, Surber had his first rushing touchdown of the night from eight yards out. Fornera’s kick put the Rebels up 14-0 with 6:03 to play in the quarter.

With 1:54 to play in the first quarter, Houston County picked up a much-needed touchdown. On fourth-and-two, Mitchell scored on a sweep. Malaki Cary added the PAT making the score 14-7.

The next drive resulted in a quick six points for McKenzie. Surber hit Norden for the 72-yard TD and Fornera’s PAT put the Rebels up 21-7.

McKenzie scored their fourth of the night at the 6:37 mark of the second quarter. Starting at the 50 yard line, Surber completed passes to L. Brown and C. Brown placing the Rebels in scoring position. On first-and-goal from the 20 yard line, Craegan Travis made a shoestring catch for the TD. Fornera’s kick increased McKenzie’s lead 28-7.

In the third quarter, a rushing touchdown by Surber with Fornera’s PAT made the score 35-7 in favor of the Rebels. Then with 5:21 remaining in the game, Fornera had a touchdown and the PAT as McKenzie led 42-7.

With 1:40, Tristen Hooper scored on a 59-yard pass from Kizer. The two-point conversion failed as the Rebels came away with the 42-13 win.

McKenzie moves to 8-0 on the regular season and 4-0 in Region 6A. The Rebels are currently in first place in the region and should host the opening round of the TSSAA Playoffs.

The Rebels are off next Friday night but resume play on October 25. The week nine game takes place in Pulaski, Tennessee against the Giles County Bobcats. The non-region game kicks off at 7 p.m.