Rebels Rout Wildcats on Senior Night, 47-0

McKENZIE (November 8) — McKenzie High School kicked off the TSSAA Football Playoffs at home Friday, hosting Wayne County and recognizing senior players, managers, band members and cheerleaders.

The stingy Rebel defense more than made up for a relatively slow start for the high-powered offense, which eventually kicked into gear to run away with a 47-0 win.

McKenzie hosts Eagleville Friday at 7 p.m.

Prior to kickoff, seniors were joined on the field by their parents.

Senior football players are Landon Brown, Gage Crosland, KD Cunningham, Skyler Fornera, Trey Gilbert, Aden Heath, Guillermo Hickman, Colt Norden, Jacob Smith, Tate Surber, Barry Swalley, Martez Teague and Craegen Travis.

Senior football managers are Ally Gibson and Jaylin Megaw.

Senior band members are Rachel Essary, Nathan Lease, Aydin Neely and Lucy Reynolds.

Senior cheerleaders are Baylee Barden, Reese Gallimore, Lydia Pate and Laila Scott.

McKenzie won the coin toss but deferred possession to the second half.

Wildcat Skyler Skelton returned a deep kick to the Wayne County 35. Mason Moore ran for eight, then was stopped for no gain by Rebels Maddox Shiell and Craegen Travis. Two plays later, quarterback Drew Bevis converted a fourth down. Three plays later, Bevis was intercepted by Rebel Tate Surber.

Taking over at the Wildcat 37, Surber threw to Cole Brown for a touchdown. Skyler Fornera kicked the PAT, and McKenzie led 7-0 with 8:19 to play in the opening frame.

Rebel Lelan Gordon made a big stop to pin Wayne County at their own 13, then made back-to-back stops on keeps by Bevis. C. Brown made the stop on third down, and the Wildcats punted.

A penalty and a pair of deep incomplete passes (both drawing moot appeals from McKenzie fans for pass interference) doomed the drive, and the Rebels punted.

Wayne County quickly faced fourth-and-one, and Rebel KD Cunningham made the stop just short of the line to gain.

The Rebels couldn’t capitalize on a short field, and an incomplete pass on fourth down turned the ball over.

The Wildcats went three-and-out as the first quarter ended and punted to start the second.

McKenzie started deep at their 23, but consecutive 12-yard runs by Surber, Jacobi Melton and Fornera moved the ball into Wildcat territory. Surber threw to Travis, then to C. Brown for back-to-back first downs. After a penalty, Surber hit Avery Brown for 12 yards, then kept for 16 yards and a first-and-goal. Two plays later, a toss to C. Brown and a kick by Fornera made it 14-0 halfway through the second frame.

Wayne County started deep and earned a pair of first downs, but the drive stalled at midfield. The Rebels received the punt at their 15.

Surber started the drive with a 30-yard pass to C. Brown, then kept for 17. He threw to Melton for 18, but a second pass to Melton was negated by a penalty. Colt Norden took a pass down to the 5, but a penalty moved it back. Surber then found Fornera for a 24-yard touchdown. Fornera kicked, and McKenzie led 21-0 with a minute left in the half.

The Wildcats managed two plays before intermission.

McKenzie and Wayne County swapped three-and-outs to start the third quarter, but the Rebels ended up with great field position after the latter.

Starting at the Wildcat 47, Surber connected with C. Brown for 13 and eleven yards. Norden ran twice for eleven and seven, then Surber kept for a five-yard score. The PAT was no good, and McKenzie led 27-0 halfway through the third.

Wayne County fumbled on third down, recovered by Fornera.

Surber immediately threw to Norden for a 24-yard touchdown. Fornera’s kick gave the Rebels a 34-0 lead with five minutes to go in the third.

The Wildcats went three-and-out. Rebel Davarion Gilbert blocked the punt, and Ryan Toombs made the recovery and return to the 5.

Norden took the first snap for the five-yard touchdown. Fornera kicked, and McKenzie led 41-0 just before the end of the third frame.

Another third-down fumble by Wayne County was recovered by Gordon at the 14.

Norden ran for seven twice for the score. The PAT was no good, and the Rebel lead was 47-0 halfway through the final frame.

Wayne County went three-and-out one final time. After the punt, the Rebels ran one play before time expired.

McKenzie had 339 yards of total offense, 229 in the air and 110 on the ground.

Rebel quarterback Tate Surber was 13 of 19 passing for 229 yards and four touchdowns. He ran seven times for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Colt Norden had six carries for 37 yards and two touchdowns.

Cole Brown led the receiving with five catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Norden caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. Skyler Fornera had two catches for 36 yards and a touchdown.

The Rebel defense held the Wildcats to 70 yards of offense, all on the ground.

Cole Brown led with ten tackles (two for a loss) and four assists. Lelan Gordon had eight tackles and six assists. KD Cunningham had six tackles (one for a loss) and three assists. Fornera had five tackles and four assists. Landon Brown had four tackles and five assists. Barry Swalley had three tackles (two for a loss) and five assists.