McKenzie Rebels Rout Dresden Lions, 49-7

DRESDEN (August 30) — Head Coach Keith Hodge took his McKenzie Rebels to Dresden High School Friday to face his former team and to make a statement in Class 1A after a barnburner win to start the season last week against historical rival and Class 2A powerhouse Huntingdon.

The host Lions struck first, but the Rebels responded with seven unanswered touchdowns for a 49-7 victory.

Dresden won the coin toss and chose to receive the opening kick, but went three-and-out and punted.

McKenzie also went three-and-out on their first possession, and a good punt return by Lion Ignacio Becerra gave Dresden great position at the Rebel 31.

Two runs by quarterback Luke DiPietro and one by Tanner Oliver left the Lions facing fourth-and-four. DiPietro threw to Jayden McRee for nine yards to move the chains, then found McRee again for a 16-yard touchdown. The PAT by Colton Hendrickson was good, and Dresden led 7-0 halfway through the first frame.

Rebel Timmy Arline received the kickoff near the 15 and returned it to the Lion 48. Quarterback Tate Surber kept the first snap and took it all the way. Skyler Fornera kicked the point-after, and the game was knotted at 7-7 with 5:38 remaining in the first quarter.

A sputtering drive saw Dresden convert twice on fourth-and-short only to stall out completely near midfield. The punt by McRee set the Rebels deep at the 17 as the quarter came to a close.

Surber started the second frame with passes to Cole Brown and Colt Norden for two first downs, then hit Norden again for a 59-yard touchdown. Fornera kicked, and the Rebels led 14-7 early in the second.

McKenzie’s Barry Swalley and Landon Brown each had big tackles to contribute to another Dresden three-and-out. McRee’s punt was downed at the Rebel 32.

Surber threw to C. Brown for 15 yards, and two plays later found L. Brown for 14. He threw to Norden for nine, then to Fornera for 22 and a first-and-goal. Arline finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown. Fornera’s kick was good, and McKenzie led 21-7 with 6:30 to play in the half.

The Lions went three-and-out again and punted.

The Rebels faced some obstacles on the ensuing drive, including three third downs and three costly penalties, but key receptions by L. Brown, Arline and Martez Teague led to a 22-yard touchdown catch by C. Brown. Fornera kicked the PAT, and McKenzie led 28-7 with just a minute to play in the first half.

Dresden ran three plays before time expired.

The Rebels received the second-half kickoff, which Arline returned 70 yards for a touchdown. Fornera kicked, and the lead was 35-7.

Another three-and-out for Dresden led to another McRee punt.

Surber threw to Norden for a 65-yard touchdown on the first play, and after the kick, the Rebels led 42-7 with under ten minutes to play in the third frame.

The Lions threw incomplete three times and punted.

Surber started again with a throw to Norden, this time for 30 yards. Surber followed with a seven-yard keeper for the final touchdown. Fornera stayed perfect, and the lead was 49-7 with 4:38 left in the third.

Dresden managed two first downs but ultimately punted again early in the fourth quarter, with both teams substituting heavily.

McKenzie kept the ball on the ground to run out the clock.

Rebel quarterback Tate Surber was 12-for-16 passing for 286 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Colt Norden had four catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

Landon Brown led the McKenzie defense with six tackles. Tate Surber had three tackles and three assists. Craegen Travis had two tackles and four assists. KD Cunningham had one tackle and six assists.

The Rebels (2-0) host Chester County Friday.