Rebels Top War Eagles, 46-22

ATWOOD (August 29) — The West Carroll Junior High War Eagles hosted McKenzie Thursday night at the halfway mark of the middle school football season.

The Rebels jumped out to an early lead and stayed out of reach despite some bursts from the War Eagle offense. McKenzie led 30-6 at the half, and a high-scoring third quarter was followed by a quick, scoreless fourth for a 46-22 final.

McKenzie won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

A short kick started the Rebels near midfield. Dawson Reeder took the first handoff 15 yards, then Cayden Gordon followed for 17. Reeder made a short gain, then quarterback Parker Ross kept it for a 19-yard touchdown. His pass fell incomplete on the two-point attempt, and McKenzie led 6-0 a minute and a half into the contest.

War Eagle Parker Newman had a pair of short gains before a fumble on third down was recovered by Rebel Zack Lewis at the West Carroll 34.

Ross moved the chains down to the 24 on the first snap and two plays later went 16 yards for the score. He ran it in for two more points, and McKenzie led 14-0 with three minutes to play in the first quarter.

War Eagle Jason Roberts had three carries on the ensuing drive, including one to convert a third down and move the ball into Rebel territory as the first frame ended. Spencer Long took the first snap of the second quarter 35 yards for a touchdown. Long was stopped short on the two-point try, but the deficit was cut to 14-6 early in the second.

The Rebels again started near midfield with a Reeder carry for 15. Bryson Smith followed for six, and Ross moved the chains with an eleven-yard keeper. Reeder gained nine, then Ross took it to the end zone, but a penalty negated the touchdown. Two plays later, Ross got in clean from 13 yards out. He kept it again for two points, and McKenzie led 22-6 with five minutes to play in the first half.

A pair of fumbles doomed West Carroll’s next possession as they turned the ball over on downs near midfield.

It was a quick drive for the Rebels as Smith broke loose for a 28-yard run and Reeder carried it the last 18 yards. Ross threw to Seth Stafford for two points, and McKenzie led 30-6 two minutes before the break.

West Carroll failed to gain any traction on the next drive. Despite a McKenzie penalty resulting in a first down, it was quickly third-and-long. Izzy Stensrud’s pass was intercepted by Rebel Marshae Johnson with just a few seconds on the clock.

The Rebels took a knee to send the game to halftime leading 30-6.

The War Eagles received the ball to start the second half, but an early fumble was recovered by Lewis, his second such recovery of the night.

McKenzie struck quickly on the turnover with a 36-yard touchdown by Reeder. Stafford threw to Jaden Blanton for two points, and the Rebel lead was 38-6.

A determined Newman answered for West Carroll with a 75-yard touchdown run, and Roberts ran it in for two. With 4:37 to play in the third, McKenzie led 38-14.

Smith dominated McKenzie’s next possession with a 38-yard run and an eight-yard touchdown. Stafford, who took over under center at the half, kept for two points to make it 46-14 with three minutes left in the third.

The final score of the game came on a 60-yard Newman run. Roberts added two, and the McKenzie lead was 46-22 with two minutes to play in the third.

Stafford and Zayden Webb kept it on the ground to finish out the third and eat up the clock in the fourth before ultimately turning the ball over on downs with under two minutes to play.

West Carroll ran three plays, earning one first down on a 14-yard carry by Newman, before time expired.

The Rebels host Stewart County Thursday, while West Carroll hosts Henderson County South.