Rebels Take Sting out of Yellowjackets, Advance to Quarterfinals

McKENZIE (November 14) —- For the sixth consecutive season, McKenzie High School will compete in the state football quarterfinals after a 56-6 second-round win over the Greenfield Yellowjackets.
The Rebels (11-1) will make a two-and-a-half hour trek Friday to face Richland (10-2) for a semifinal bid. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Rebel fans were stunned as Greenfield took a 6-0 lead on a long pass play to start the contest. It was only the third time this season that McKenzie has been trailing in a game and the first since September 26.
The Yellowjacket lead was short-lived as the Rebels quickly regained the advantage, scoring 56 unanswered points.
Greenfield’s opening touchdown drive was 80 yards on 13 plays, including a gutsy fourth-down conversion deep in their own territory. Quarterback Easton Sullivan threw to Eric Teague for a 48-yard score. The two-point attempt failed, and the Yellowjackets led 6-0 halfway through the first frame.
A 25-yard return by Rebel Timmy Arline gave McKenzie great field position at their 40. A six-play drive was capped by a ten-yard touchdown by Arline. Aiden Mason kicked the PAT, and the Rebels had a 7-6 lead with three minutes to play in the first.
McKenzie’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, and Sullivan’s punt was downed at the Greenfield 36.
Rebel quarterback Cole Brown threw to Avery Brown for a touchdown on the first snap. Mason kicked, and McKenzie led 14-6 with two minutes left in the first quarter.
The Yellowjackets managed a first down, but the drive stalled. On third down, Rebels C. Brown and Aiden Legens sacked Sullivan for a 15-yard loss on the final play of the first frame to force a punt to start the second.
Starting at the McKenzie 47, Arline ran for eight, then Jayden Callis gained three to move the chains. C. Brown kept the next snap for a 42-yard touchdown. The PAT put the Rebels up 21-6 early in the second quarter.
Greenfield went three-and-out again. A great return by Parker Ross into the red zone was marred by a penalty, but the Rebels still had excellent position at the Yellowjacket 25.
A six-play drive saw C. Brown convert a fourth down and later punch it in from the 13. Mason’s kick put McKenzie up 28-6 halfway through the second frame.
Another three-and-out by Greenfield and a good return by A. Brown set the Rebels up at the Yellowjacket 24.
McKenzie scored quickly again on a pass from C. Brown to Legens for a two-yard touchdown. With the PAT, the Rebels led 35-6 with 3:36 to play in the first half.
Greenfield turned the ball over on downs at their 25.
C. Brown threw to Kason Brown for 15, then two plays later found Lelan Gordon for a ten-yard touchdown. Mason kicked, and the McKenzie lead was 42-6 with a minute to play before intermission.
The Yellowjackets ran two plays before time expired.
A. Brown received the second-half kick and made a 46-yard return to start the Rebels at the Greenfield 30.
After one first down, McKenzie turned the ball over on downs at the 16.
The Yellowjackets went three-and-out and punted. A. Brown had another long return diminished by a penalty.
Starting at the 33, Callis ran for eight yards, then went 24 to the end zone. After the PAT, the Rebels led 49-6 late in the third quarter.
Greenfield earned one first down as the quarter ended, but turned the ball over on downs early in the final frame.
C. Brown completed passes to Gordon and Matthew Gaylord, then Callis scored from six yards out. Mason completed a perfect night of PATs, and McKenzie led 56-6.
The Yellowjackets ran four plays before time expired.
The Rebels had 347 yards of total offense, 172 in the air and 175 on the ground. Greenfield was held to 86 yards total, 68 passing and 18 rushing.
Rebel quarterback Cole Brown was nine of 14 passing for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Timmy Arline had seven carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. Jayden Callis rushed five times for 39 yards and two touchdowns.
Avery Brown had three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Lelan Gordon caught three passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Xander Johnsey led the defense with seven solo tackles and four assists, including one for a loss. Cooper Davidson had four solo and three assists. Aiden Legens had four solo and two assists with two for a loss, including a sack.
Dawson Reeder had three solo tackles and five assists, including one for a loss. Cole Brown had three solo and two assists with two for a loss, including a sack. Aiden Callis had three solo and two assists, including a sack. Cayden Gordon had three solo and one assist.
Aiden Mason was a perfect eight-for-eight on PATs and had six touchbacks on nine kickoffs.