Rebels are 1A Runner-Up

CHATTANOOGA (December 5) — The McKenzie High School Rebels are the TSSAA Class 1A Football State Runner-Up after a 42-14 loss to South Pittsburg Friday in the BlueCross Bowl at Finley Stadium.

The Pirates, led by game MVP Ja’Mychal Buckner, were explosive on offense in the first half, while the Rebels struggled to find momentum. South Pitt led 35-0 at the break.

For the first time all season, and for many the first time in their high school careers, the Rebels were playing for pride and pride alone, and that pride shone like a beacon for the many faithful McKenzie fans who made the four-hour journey and those following back home.

The Rebels never quit, battling hard on both sides of the ball to hold the Pirates to one score in the second half while breaking through for a pair of touchdowns.

Despite the stakes and the energy in the stadium, it was a clean game played purely between the whistles with mutual respect and love for the game on display from start to finish.

Immediately following the loss, the team huddled and Assistant Coach Kentrell Diggs, the heart and soul of the coaching staff, told his team, “We’re going to continue on, we’re going to continue to build. We will be back. It just wasn’t our night tonight, guys. That’s life. Sometimes in life, things go good, sometimes it goes bad. Doesn’t always go our way… We came in here as a family locked together, and we’re going to leave as a family. I’m proud of each and every one of you. You have nothing to hang your heads about. We earned the right to be here… We’ll learn from this. In the face of diversity shows the real true measure of a man. Y’all guys showed a lot of heart and fight and grit in the second half. I like the way you finished. I couldn’t be more proud of the team than I am tonight. I am grateful for each and every one of you.”

Head Coach Keith Hodge spoke to The Banner following the trophy presentations. “I think the number one thing is, these seniors are winners. [Most of] these seniors have played 59 games. A lot of them played those games together. I’m proud to be a part of these seniors’ lives. I’m proud of their effort. Proud of how they show up everyday. The main thing is, it’s a great group of kids. They’re going to be good husbands and fathers. So, I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Hodge addressed the tough start and how his team responded. “We ran into a buzz saw. We did not play a good first half, and that’s the result when you play that way in the first half against a very, very good, talented, loaded football team. But we came out and fought, we showed a little bit of character about us and fought through some adversity.”

He said of the team’s successful run and expectations, “We can’t be spoiled. It’s not easy to get here. It’s not easy to do. It’s going to take another nine months of grinding to get back here.” He added, “We can’t be disappointed. We can’t hang our hats, because all we did was fight for an opportunity. And we came up short, obviously, but why else do you suit up and come out here? And we killed ourselves. Why kill yourself if you’re not going to be proud of getting this chance.”

The Rebels end the season at 13-2, with 13 straight wins bookended by losses to the Class 2A and 1A state champions, Huntingdon and South Pittsburg.

McKenzie won the coin toss and elected to defer possession.

The Pirates went three-and-out on their first drive. Rebel Maddox Shiell made a big stop on third down to force the punt.

McKenzie’s first drive was also a three-and-out, and Cole Brown’s punt was returned to the South Pitt 43.

Buckner took the first snap 56 yards to the Rebel 1, then punched it in for the first touchdown of the day. Alex Phillips kicked the PAT, and the Pirates led 7-0 halfway through the first frame.

The Rebels and Pirates traded three-and-outs, then C. Brown had a second-down pass intercepted by Dayon Cooper.

Buckner again scored on two touches, 31 and six yards, respectively. Phillips hit the PAT, and South Pitt led 14-0 with three minutes to play in the opening quarter.

McKenzie fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Pirate Anthony Gibbs made the recovery at the Rebel 13.

McKenzie’s defense held strong in the red zone, and a fourth-down field goal by Phillips missed.

The Rebels went three-and-out again as the game moved into the second quarter, and C. Brown’s punt was returned by Brandon Goldsmith for a touchdown. Another Phillips PAT put South Pitt up 21-0 early in the second.

McKenzie sustained a long drive, earning four first downs and getting down to the Pirate 4 before turning the ball over on downs.

The Rebel defense forced another three-and-out, but South Pitt returned the favor on McKenzie’s next possession.

Buckner took the first snap 63 yards for another score, and Phillips kicked to make it 28-0 with two minutes remaining in the first half.

McKenzie earned one first down before punting again.

Buckner was stopped for no gain by Aiden Legens and Cayden Gordon, then moved the chains with a 17-yard carry. Next, Pirate quarterback Caden Jones threw to Martavius Smith for a 75-yard touchdown. Phillips made it 35-0 with 13 seconds left before intermission.

The Rebels managed one play before time expired.

McKenzie received the second-half kick and started at the Rebel 25. On 15 plays, the Rebels broke through as Timmy Arline went one yard for the touchdown. The PAT was no good, and South Pitt led 35-6 with under three minutes remaining in the third.

The Pirates scored again just before the end of the third quarter on a 48-yard pass from Jones to Cooper. Phillips kicked to give South Pitt a 42-6 lead.

The Rebels threatened again as the final frame began, earning three first downs before fumbling at the Pirate 13.

South Pitt ran two plays before fumbling as well. Rebel Kason Brown forced the fumble and made the recovery with a four-yard return to the 7.

C. Brown tossed to Lelan Gordon for five yards, then Arline punched it in from the 2. C. Brown kept for two points, and the score was 42-14 with five minutes to play.

The Pirates earned a pair of first downs, then Jones took a knee to run out the clock.

South Pittsburg had 368 yards of total offense (211 rushing, 157 passing) to McKenzie’s 224 (167 rushing, 57 passing).

Rebel quarterback Cole Brown was seven of 18 passing for 57 yards. Pirate QB Caden Jones was five of eight for 157 yards with two touchdowns.

Timmy Arline led the McKenzie ground attack with 21 attempts for 127 yards and two touchdowns. C. Brown had 12 carries for 42 yards. Jayden Callis had one rush for five yards.

Ja’Mychal Buckner led South Pitt with 15 carries for 204 yards and three touchdowns.

Rebel Jacobi Melton had three catches for 18 yards. Lelan Gordon caught three passes for 16 yards. Avery Brown had one reception for 23 yards.

Pirate Dayon Cooper had four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Martavius Smith had one reception for a 75-yard touchdown.

Xander Johnsey led the Rebel defense with six solo tackles and two assists. Lelan Gordon had two solo and three assists with one tackle for a loss. Cayden Gordon and Cooper Davidson each had one solo and three assists.

Maddox Shiell and Cole Brown each had three solo tackles, Shiell with two for losses.

Kason Brown had two solo and one assist with one for a loss, plus a forced fumble and recovery. Mason Batten had two solo and one assist with one for a loss.

Ethan Batton, Avery Brown, Jayden Callis and Parker Ross each had a solo tackle.

Kemijah Harris led South Fulton with seven solo tackles. J.R. Hardrick had four solo and four assists.