Welcome to our new web site!
To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.
During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.
McKENZIE (October 9) — McKenzie High School celebrated Senior Night Friday with a 52-19 blowout win over the visiting Dresden Lions. The Rebels dominated on both sides of the ball and jumped out to a 21-0 lead to cruise to victory.
Prior to the game, senior football players, cheerleaders and band members were recognized on the field, joined by family members.
Senior football players include Kaden Allen, Chris Barnett, Brandon Boaz, Ryan Christian, Will Latimer, Logan Lyles, Eli Surber, Tanner Waugh, Jordan Woods and manager Quynten VanWetter.
Senior cheerleaders are Ashlyn Drewry and Graycie Turner.
Senior Marching Rebels include Claire Cottrill, Austin Gant, Nicholas Smiley and Presley Wallace.
Following the senior recognitions, J. A. Abernathy Awards were presented to Coach Randy Thomas and Tammy Graves. The awards are presented annually by the Touchdown Club “in gratitude and recognition of your unselfish support of the McKenzie Rebel football teams.” Thomas is retiring after four decades of service to Rebel football, and Graves has served as the teams’ photographer for several years.
Dresden won the coin toss and deferred possession to the second half.
The Lions’ opening kickoff was short, and Rebel Eli Surber made a fair catch at the 35. Marquez Taylor started the drive with a nine-yard run, then Caleb Gill gained a yard to move the chains. Quarterback Jackson Cassidy threw to Logan Lyles for four yards, but a false start on the next play cost McKenzie five yards. Rashad McCreary ran for five, then Cassidy kept for 32 down to the 19. Gill earned three yards, then Cassidy kept for a 16-yard touchdown. Zach Aird kicked the point-after, and McKenzie led 7-0 with eight minutes to play in the first frame.
Dresden started deep at the 22 and went three-and-out. Rebel Will Latimer fair-caught the punt at the Lion 44.
Penalties plagued McKenzie’s second possession, resulting in a three-and-out. Aird’s punt was downed at the Dresden 44.
The Lions again went three-and-out. The punt went out of bounds at the Rebel 36.
Cassidy kept for 14 yards, then Taylor ran for nine. On second-and-one, a low snap forced Cassidy to throw the ball away. Gill then broke loose and got inside the 10 before fumbling. Dresden made the recovery at the 5.
Lion Chandler Turnbow ran for eleven and a first down, but the Rebel defense made three big stops as the quarter ended. Turnbow punted on the first play of the second frame, and Latimer made the fair catch at the Dresden 42.
Gill ran for 20, then Taylor went 22 for the score. Aird’s PAT made it 14-0 less than a minute into the second quarter.
The Lions went three-and-out for the third time in four possessions, and Latimer caught the punt near midfield and returned it to the 28.