McKenzie Moves to 1-1 on Season

DRESDEN (August 28) — After last week’s close 28-21 loss to Huntingdon, McKenzie bounced back with a dominating 49-13 win over the Dresden Lions. The Rebels dominated on both sides of the ball, holding the Lions scoreless until the second half, when Dresden scored following a turnover.

The following statistics are questionable due to technical difficulties and conflicting stat sheets. The Rebels ran 40 plays for 397 total yards, with 240 through the air and 157 on the ground. Quarterback Cole Brown was 11-of-13 passing, while Avery Brown had 98 receiving yards. On the ground, C. Brown led with 53 yards, followed by Aiden Carrington with 46. Defensively, Maddox Shiell led with four solo tackles and one assist.

The Lions began the game on offense at their 35-yard line but were forced to punt after a three-and-out. The Rebels started their first offensive drive at midfield. On second down, a pass from C. Brown to A. Brown picked up 11 yards and a fresh set of downs. From the Dresden 41-yard line, C. Brown kept the ball and broke through for the first touchdown of the night at the 9:08 mark of the first quarter. Jony Hernandez tacked on the extra point, putting the Rebels up 7-0.

McKenzie was quickly on the board a second time following another three-and-out by Dresden. Two key passes from C. Brown led to the next touchdown — a diving 42-yard reception by Jacobi Melton and an 8-yard reception by A. Brown for the score. Hernandez added the PAT as the Rebels increased their lead to 14-0 with 7:03 to play in the first quarter.

A facemask penalty on Dresden’s next offensive drive led to the Lions’ first first down of the night. Despite the penalty, the Lions were unable to capitalize due to timely tackles by Carrington and Lelan Gordon.

McKenzie wasted no time scoring again as C. Brown teamed with A. Brown a second time for a 69-yard touchdown. Hernandez added the extra point as the Rebels went up 21-0 with 3:10 to play in the opening quarter.

The first quarter was drawing to a close when Dawson Reeder recovered a Dresden fumble. Passes to Carrington and Matteo Tabada put the Rebels in scoring position to close the quarter.

On first-and-goal, Tabada picked up five yards for a touchdown. Hernandez’s kick was good as McKenzie took a 28-0 lead.

At the 7:52 mark of the second quarter, Carrington scored from one yard out. Hernandez added the extra point as the Rebels continued to roll, 35-0. The TSSAA mercy rule, triggered by a halftime lead of 30 or more points, would go into effect to start the second half.

Dresden was unable to respond as Athan Spaulding’s pass was intercepted by A. Brown at the 27-yard line. In 10 plays, McKenzie was back in the end zone with a 12-yard shovel pass from C. Brown to Carrington. The PAT put the Rebels up 42-0 at halftime.

To open the second half, it looked like McKenzie would maintain its momentum, but on the opening drive, a pass to Gordon was stripped and returned 53 yards for a Dresden touchdown.

The running clock kept the game moving at a steady pace. At the eight-minute mark of the third quarter, McKenzie scored its final touchdown on a 78-yard kickoff return by A. Brown. The PAT put the Rebels up 49-7.

The third quarter drew to a close with the Lions able to do very little against the Rebels’ first-string defense. To open the fourth quarter, McKenzie began making substitutions. Parker Ross came in at quarterback, picking up two first downs before the drive stalled at the Lions’ 20-yard line.

In the final minutes of the game, Dresden looked to score a second time. With no time remaining, the Lions scored on a 15-yard pass from Spaulding to Ayden Flora, making the final score McKenzie 49, Dresden 13.

Next Friday, September 4, the Rebels (1-1) are home for the first time this season and will host Christian County (0-2) of Hopkinsville, Ky. Dresden (0-2) hosts West Carroll (0-2). Both kickoffs are at 7 p.m.