Rebels Wrap Undefeated Season at West Carroll

ATWOOD (November 1) — The regular season came to a close Friday as West Carroll hosted McKenzie and celebrated Senior Night.

The Region 6-1A game had zero stakes as McKenzie had already claimed the top seed and West Carroll was locked in to the fourth spot.

The War Eagles opened the game with a long scoring drive that stretched into the second quarter, but the Rebels put up seven unanswered touchdowns to claim a 49-6 victory.

Postseason play begins Friday as McKenzie hosts Wayne County and West Carroll travels to Richland.

Prior to the game, West Carroll senior football players, cheerleaders and band members were recognized on the field, joined by family members.

Senior football players are Jayden Milton, Tyce Reed and Zach Hames.

Senior cheerleaders are Hannah Fowler and Bailey Rogers.

Senior band members are Maritza Barajas and Linda Murphy.

West Carroll won the coin toss and received the opening kickoff.

War Eagle Mason Taylor fielded the kick near the 10 and tossed it to Jayden Milton, who returned it to the 20. From there, West Carroll kept the ball on the ground, mixing in runs by Taylor, Zach Hames, Trinden Kirby and quarterback Zac Fowler, until Fowler threw to Hames for a six-yard touchdown. The 80-yard, 19-play drive exhausted the entire first quarter and nearly two minutes of the second. Fowler was stopped on the two-point attempt, and the War Eagles led 6-0 with 10:03 to play in the second frame.

West Carroll attempted an onside kick, but Rebel Maddox Shiell fell on the ball at the War Eagle 49. Quarterback Tate Surber kept the first snap for a 49-yard touchdown. Skyler Fornera kicked the PAT, and McKenzie took a 7-6 lead with 9:37 to go in the second.

The War Eagles started at their 17 after the ensuing kick. The first play resulted in a fumble, and Rebel Cole Brown scooped up the ball and ran it back ten yards for a touchdown. Fornera’s kick made it 14-6 with 9:28 to play in the first half.

Another West Carroll fumble on the kickoff was recovered by Rebel Gage Crosland near midfield. A pair of runs by Fornera moved the chains, then, two plays later, Surber threw to Fornera for a 33-yard touchdown. The PAT gave McKenzie a 21-6 advantage with 8:05 remaining in the second quarter.

A short kick gave the War Eagles good position at their 35.

Kirby made a short gain, and a McKenzie penalty advanced the ball to the Rebel 45.

Fowler ran twice to move the chains again, Kirby made a short gain, then Fowler took it 12 yards for a first down at the 20. Three plays later, Taylor converted a first down at the 8. A penalty and a pair of stops made it fourth-and-goal at the 9, and a pass from Fowler to Taylor as he crashed into the pylon was ruled incomplete.

McKenzie took over with just over a minute left before intermission. Surber connected with C. Brown twice for 27 total yards, then hit Craegen Travis for 26. Back-to-back penalties set the Rebels back, but Surber threw to C. Brown as time expired for a 47-yard touchdown. Fornera kicked, and McKenzie led 28-6 at the half.

The Rebels recovered an onside kick attempt near midfield to start the second half. Colt Norden ran for 15, then Surber kept for a 23-yard score. Fornera’s PAT gave McKenzie a 35-6 lead a minute into the quarter.

West Carroll went three-and-out and punted.

McKenzie started near midfield again. Surber threw incomplete, then Norden ran for eight. Surber kept the next snap for a 41-yard touchdown. Fornera made it 42-6 with 8:05 left in the third.

The War Eagles started at the 32, and Hames flipped the field with a 46-yard run. It was quickly fourth down, and Fowler threw incomplete.

Taking over, Surber kept for 19 yards, then Norden went 59 yards to paydirt. Fornera finished a perfect night of PATs, and McKenzie led 49-6 with three minutes left in the third.

West Carroll started at their 38 and earned a first down as the third quarter ended. A sack by Zulmai and a penalty led to a fourth-and-long. Fowler threw deep, and Rebel Martez Teague made the interception.

McKenzie turned the ball back over to West Carroll on four plays, then the War Eagles did the same.

The Rebels ran one play, then took a knee twice to run out the clock.

McKenzie had 389 yards of total offense to West Carroll’s 157.

Rebel quarterback Tate Surber was seven of eleven for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He had five rushes for138 yards and three touchdowns.

War Eagle quarterback Zac Fowler was one of five for six yards and one touchdown.