Rebels Sink Vikings, 42-0

LINDEN (September 12) —- The McKenzie High School Rebels began region play Friday at Perry County. The Rebels scored early and often en route to a 42-0 victory over the Vikings.

Perry County received the opening kick and made a couple of short gains on the ground. A Rebel penalty moved the chains, but it was quickly third down again. Rebel Dawson Reeder intercepted a Viking pass and returned it to the Perry County 6.

Timmy Arline punched it in on the first McKenzie snap, and Aiden Mason kicked the PAT. The Rebels led 7-0 with eight minutes to play in the first frame.

McKenzie’s defense forced a three-and-out, and Rebel Avery Brown made a short return on the Viking punt.

Quarterback Cole Brown started the Rebel drive with a 42-yard pass to A. Brown. Two plays later, they connected again for an eight-yard touchdown. Mason kicked, and McKenzie led 14-0 with 5:07 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Vikings quickly faced third down again, but this time, quarterback Weston Martin threw to Ayden Flowers for a first down at midfield. The drive stalled there, and Perry County punted. A penalty against McKenzie on the return pinned the Rebels back at their 16.

C. Brown kept for five, then Arline ran for 17. Brown threw to Lelan Gordon for another 17 and, a couple of plays later, found Jacobi Melton for 19 as the first quarter ended. Arline took the first snap of the second quarter 46 yards to paydirt. Another Mason PAT put McKenzie ahead 21-0.

Viking Dereon Morin made an excellent return from near the goal line to the Rebel 46, but A. Brown picked off a Martin pass on the first snap.

McKenzie went three-and-out and punted for the first time in the contest. Morin again proved tough to tackle, returning the punt to the Rebel 25.

A fumble on the first snap was picked up by A. Brown and taken 68 yards for a touchdown. Mason kicked, and McKenzie led 28-0 with ten minutes to play in the first half.

Perry County managed a first down, but soon faced fourth-and-two near midfield. A fumbled snap led to a big loss and a turnover on downs.

Taking over at the Viking 28, Rebel Aiden Legens plowed up the middle for seven yards, and a Perry County penalty moved the chains. Two plays later, C. Brown found A. Brown for a 16-yard touchdown. Mason hit the PAT, and McKenzie led 35-0 halfway through the second quarter.

The Rebel defense forced another three-and-out, but the offense stalled and turned the ball over on downs. Perry County managed two plays before time expired.

The second half was played with eight-minute quarters and a running clock.

Perry County attempted an onside kick to start the third, but Rebel Cooper Davidson snagged the kick and made a return to the Viking 40. Arline ran for 22, and C. Brown threw to A. Brown for 17 down to the 1. The defense held, and McKenzie turned the ball over on downs at the 4.

The Vikings picked up a first down on a McKenzie penalty, but stalled as the third ended and turned the ball over on downs on the first play of the final frame.

C. Brown’s pass on the first play was intercepted by Javon McFadden at the 7.

Perry County went three-and-out, and Melton made a long return down to the Viking 7.

Arline got the seven yards on one try, and Mason completed a perfect night of PATs for a 42-0 McKenzie lead with three minutes to play in the game.

The Rebel defense held strong one last time, and time expired before Perry County snapped on fourth down.

Rebel quarterback Cole Brown was 8 of 10 passing for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He had four carries for 19 yards.

Timmy Arline carried eleven times for 108 yards and three touchdowns.

Avery Brown had four receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Jacobi Melton caught three passes for 37 yards, and Lelan Gordon made one catch for 18 yards.

Gordon led the defense with six solo tackles and four assists. Cooper Davidson had four solo and four assists. Mason Batten had four solo tackles and one assist, including a sack.

Jacion Townes had three solo tackles and two assists. Aiden Callis had three solo and one assist, including a sack. Xander Johnsey had three solo and one assist.

The Rebels (3-1, 1-0) host Camden Friday and celebrate Homecoming. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.; kickoff is 7 p.m.