Rebels Survive Soggy First Half to Clip Eagles, 20-13

McKENZIE (September 6) — Mother Nature seemed to be the Rebels’ worst enemy Friday night, and a wet football may be the only thing that can slow down one of the most prolific passing offenses in the state. Fortunately, the arm of Tate Surber is just one of McKenzie’s many tools and the top-ranked Class 1A Rebels outlasted the rain and the Class 4A Chester County Eagles, 20-13.

Driving rain became increasingly heavy in the early minutes of the game and only tapered off just before halftime.

The Eagles received the opening kick and failed to convert a fourth-and-one, turning the ball over to McKenzie at the Chester County 38.

Rebel Timmy Arline ran for five, then Surber kept for five more and a first down. Two Arline carries and an offside penalty moved the chains again, then Surber threw to Colt Norden to set up first-and-goal at the 8. Two plays later, Surber threw to Landon Brown for a nine-yard touchdown. Skyler Fornera kicked the PAT, and McKenzie led 7-0 with 6:27 to play in the first frame.

The Rebel defense forced a three-and-out, and Chester County punted from deep in their own territory. Rebel Jacobi Melton returned the punt from the 30 to near midfield.

A mixture of incomplete passes and penalties doomed McKenzie to a three-and-out, but a good punt by Cole Brown was downed at the Eagle 30.

Chester County seemed to be stalled again, but on third down, quarterback Ethan Burks slipped through the defense for a 67-yard touchdown. Linkin Phillips’ PAT was blocked by Fornera to keep McKenzie in the lead, 7-6.

The Rebels received the ensuing kick and started from their own 25. Surber flipped the field with a 50-yard keeper, and Arline gained eleven for another first down. Two plays later, a fumble would turn the ball over to the Eagles at the 10.

The Eagles and Rebels swapped penalties on the final two plays of the first quarter, then Chester County started the second with two losses and a punt.

Starting in Eagle territory, Surber and Arline alternated on seven straight carries culminating with an eight-yard touchdown by Surber. A miscue on the PAT snap turned into a failed two-point conversion, but the Rebels were up 13-6 with 6:36 remaining in the first half.

A slip, a fumble and a penalty doomed the Eagles’ drive to a three-and-out. After the punt, McKenzie took over at their 39.

Surber made a tough throw under pressure to find Norden for a 30-yard catch, but soon faced fourth down and threw incomplete.

Chester County took over at their 25 and advanced the ball into Rebel territory but ran out of time in the half.

McKenzie came out of the break to drier conditions and their passing game fully unlocked. Surber completed four of five passes combined with ten running plays to run off some clock, capped by a two-yard keeper by the QB. Fornera kicked, and the Rebels led 20-6 with five minutes to play in the third quarter.

The Eagles earned one first down, but punted three plays later.

McKenzie fumbled on the first play to give it back to Chester County.

The Eagles went three-and-out as the third ended and punted on the first play of the fourth. Rebel L. Brown blocked the punt, and Barry Swalley fell on the ball at midfield.

Surber threw to L. Brown for eight, then kept for five. Two plays later, the Eagles were assessed a pair of penalties giving McKenzie a first down at the 13. Surber threw to L. Brown, who made the catch. As he turned upfield, Eagle Jaylen Edgeston stripped the ball and ran it back for a touchdown. The PAT by Phillips was good, and McKenzie’s lead was 20-13 with ten minutes remaining in the game.

The Rebels started at their 20 and quickly faced third-and-six. Surber hit L. Brown for 20 yards to extend the drive. Third down came again, and Surber found Arline for 13. The drive stalled there, and McKenzie punted with just under seven minutes to play.

The Rebel defense held strong in the clutch, allowing a first down, but only eleven yards total, to force another punt. Fornera, C. Brown, KD Cunningham and Maddox Shiell made key tackles, and Gage Crosland had the receiver covered up on a do-or-die, third-down pass attempt.

McKenzie took over with the objective of earning first downs to run out the clock and succeeded with big runs by Surber and Arline. Surber took a knee to finish out the 20-13 win.

Rebel quarterback Tate Surber was 14 of 26 passing for 140 yards and a touchdown. He rushed 18 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Colt Norden had seven catches for 62 yards. Lane Brown had four catches for 46 yards and a touchdown. Timmy Arline had two catches for 28 yards and 19 carries for 78 yards.

Landon Brown led the team with eight tackles and two assists with one sack and four tackles for loss. Skyler Fornera had seven tackles and four assists. KD Cunningham had three tackles and two assists.

McKenzie begins region play Friday as they host McEwen. Kickoff is 7 p.m.