Rebels Sink Vikings on Homecoming, 56-0

McKENZIE (October 4) — McKenzie High School hosted Perry County Friday for a region football contest, the climax of a Homecoming week jam-packed with activities. The Rebels rode the Homecoming hype high into the game and put on a show for the large crowd, dominating the visiting Vikings 56-0.

During halftime of the McKenzie win, a presentation was made recognizing the sponsors of the new scoreboard: Granges, Carroll Bank & Trust, McKenzie Banking Company, 4Front Promotional Products and Pepsi MidAmerica.

McKenzie won the coin toss and deferred possession.

The Vikings started deep after the kick. A McKenzie offside penalty and three carries by Josh Jones moved the chains, but the Rebel defense shut the drive down. Perry County punted, and McKenzie took over at their 46.

Rebel quarterback Tate Surber threw to Colt Norden on first down for a 54-yard touchdown. Skyler Fornera kicked the PAT, and McKenzie led 7-0 with 7:22 to play in the opening frame.

Viking Hines Boyd made a long return to the Perry County 47, but the Rebels forced another three-and-out. The punt was blocked by Rebel Davarion Gilbert and downed by the Vikings at their 33.

Rebel Timmy Arline ran for five yards, and two plays later went 28 for the score. Fornera kicked, and McKenzie led 14-0 with five minutes remaining in the first.

The Vikings started at their 14, but Jones ran for a first down at the 25. The drive stalled, and the punt was taken by Arline near midfield and returned to the Viking 35.

Surber kept for eleven, then threw to Cole Brown for a 24-yard touchdown. Fornera’s PAT made it 21-0 with 38 seconds left in the first quarter.

Rebel Jackson Cantrell made a big stop on the kickoff for the second straight time, pinning the Vikings at the 16. On first down, quarterback Zane Noel’s pass was intercepted by Guillermo Hickman and returned 30 yards for a McKenzie touchdown. Another good kick by Fornera gave the Rebels a 28-0 advantage with 19 seconds to play in the first frame.

Perry County went three-and-out again, punting early in the second quarter. Arline made the fair catch at the Rebel 44.

Surber took the first snap 20 yards, but a holding penalty negated the play. Arline gained 20 on two carries, but two plays later, another penalty made it second-and-20 near midfield. Surber hit C. Brown for 16 yards, then kept for 12. He threw incomplete twice, then kept again for a 20-yard touchdown. Fornera made it 35-0 halfway through the second quarter.

A touchback on the kickoff and a pair of sacks by the Rebel defense forced a punt by Perry County from the back of their own end zone.

McKenzie took over at the Viking 18, and Surber threw to C. Brown for a quick touchdown. Fornera kicked, and the Rebels led 42-0 with four minutes to play in the first half.

McKenzie continued to be stingy on defense, forcing yet another three-and-out and another punt from the end zone.

Taking over at the Viking 11, Norden and Surber were both stopped near the line of scrimmage before Surber threw to C. Brown for a ten-yard touchdown. Fornera’s PAT gave McKenzie a 49-0 lead 19 seconds before intermission.

Perry County received the kick and managed one play before the break.

C. Brown made a long kickoff return to start the second half, but some of the gain was negated by a block in the back. Matteo Tabada moved the chains on two rushes, then Surber threw to Norden for 15 yards. Two more runs by Tabada, coupled with a personal foul penalty on the Vikings, made it first-and-goal at the 9. Then, McKenzie committed a penalty and backed up to the 25. Surber ran for 16 and then seven. A false start backed the Rebels to the 7. Barry Swalley made a short gain, then Surber threw to Fornera for a five-yard touchdown. Fornera then completed a perfect night of PATs, and the Rebel lead was 56-0 with two minutes left in the third quarter.

Perry County earned a first down as the third ended, but turned the ball over on downs early in the final frame.

Kason Brown took over under center for the Rebels. Jayden Callis ran four times, earning two first downs. K. Brown ran for six, but then he and Callis were stopped and McKenzie turned the ball over on downs with a minute and a half to play.

The Vikings managed a couple of plays before time expired.

McKenzie had 315 yards of total offense, 143 passing and 172 on the ground, while holding Perry County to 19 total yards, all on the ground.

Rebel quarterback Tate Surber was eight of 12 passing for 143 yards and five touchdowns. He ran seven times for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Timmy Arline had four carries for 54 yards and one touchdown. Matteo Campbell rushed four times for 23 yards, and Jayden Callis had five carries for 19 yards.

Cole Brown had four receptions for 69 yards and three touchdowns. Colt Norden had three catches for 69 yards and one touchdown.

Cole Brown had three tackles, two for a loss. Skyler Fornera had three tackles and one assist. KD Cunningham had two tackles and an assist. Landon Brown had two tackles, both for losses, including a sack.

The win completes McKenzie’s regular season home schedule. The team (7-0, 3-0) travels to Erin Friday for another region game against Houston County.