Lexington began the ball game from their own 35-yard line after the Rebel kick went out of bounds. On first down, freshman Ty Evans threw to freshman Cedric Fields for a 14-yard gain. Big Kelsey Arnold was stopped for no gain by Eric Gilbert and Brannon Milton. Evans returned to the air and hit an open Candice Jones. The completion covered 20 yards and gave the Tigers a first down at the Rebel 39-yard line. Arnold ran a couple of times for nine yards. On third down and one, Arnold was able to push the ball for a first down. Again, Jones took a swing pass and raced into the Rebels secondary. The Rebels defensive ends, linebackers, corners and safties were unable to slow the 180-pound senior. Lexington scored the 25-yard touchdown run with 6:18 remaining in the first quarter. Durrell Moody kicked the PAT good.

First Quarter
McKenzie 0-Lexington 7
McKenzie began its first offensive possession of the contest from the Lexington 43-yard line. Josh Stenberg ran on first down for five yards. Fullback Milton crashed the middle for 12 big yards and a first down. Milton again got the call for 13 yards. Stenberg rammed the middle of the Tiger defense for 14 yards, down to the Lexington four-yard line. David Duncan took the misdirection hand off and was hit at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Stenberg got the call on second down, lowered his head and had three yards, down the one-yard line. The determined Stenberg then crashed his way into the end zone on third down. The PAT was blocked by the rushing Tigers with 2:48 remaining in the first quarter.

First Quarter
McKenzie 6-Lexington 7
McKenzie's special teams have struggled for a good part of this year, but the Lexington/McKenzie game found the Rebels kicking deep and converging to kept the visitors backed up.

The Rebels Howard Nolen booted the ball near the ten-yard line and a host of Rebels nailed the Tiger ball carrier at the 19-yard line. On first down, Jones found the outside for a big 29-yard first down. A costly fifteen-yard penalty against McKenzie put the football in Rebel territory at the 35-yard line. McKenzie's hard-working defense halted Lexington on a fourth down and six try. Jonathan Adkisson, Justin Adkisson, Milton and Stenberg made the big stops.

McKenzie's second possession began at their own 39-yard line as the second quarter began. Taylor Holland found the sideline and scooted for 13 yards. Mitchell Hall got the next carry. A misdirection hand-off caught the Tigers sleeping as Hall lumbered downfield for an eleven-yard first down. Behind good line blocking from Stevia Harris, Jeremy Sydnor, Jonathan Gaskins, Ricky Mathis and Bruce Anderson, the Rebels ground game came alive. Milton ran for eight yards, Holland hit the outside for five and then Milton managed another 13 yards to put the ball at the Lexington 10-yard line. Fullback Milton high-stepped his way into a couple of the Lexington linebackers. But the Tigers did little more than slow the 230-pounder. Milton's 10-yard score came at the 5:14 mark of the second quarter and put the Rebels on top for good. Stenberg ran the two-point conversion to put the Rebels up by seven.

Second Quarter
McKenzie 14-Lexington 7
Late in the half, Lexington faced a fourth down and one at their 34-yard line. After a time-out, the Tigers coaching staff elected to take a chance and attempt the first down instead of punting. The fourth down try was stopped short by a host of aggressive Rebels. McKenzie took over at the Tiger 34-yard line with 1:35 remaining in the half.

Holland got the call on first down for six yards. Milton found running room for eleven more. A costly holding penalty backed the Rebels for 10 yards, but Holland hit Duncan for a 25-yard yard gain down to the six-yard line. Milton got the call three consecutive times. Lexington's front wall shot through and left the Rebels facing a fourth down and two for a score. With the clock ticking down to intermission, Stenberg took the ball on fourth down and churned his way in for a score with only 25 seconds remaining in the half. The PAT was kicked good by Stenberg.

Second Quarter
McKenzie 21-Lexington 7
Halftime statistics were close. McKenzie had 143 yards rushing and 25 yards passing for 168 total yards. Lexington had 95 yards rushing and 58 yards passing for 153 total yards. The second half stats changed drastically as Lexington completed the final two periods with 13 carries and a minus seven yards. McKenzie's offense managed 191 yards on the ground.

A big kickoff return by Duncan helped the Rebels as they began their first possession of the second half at the Tiger 38-yard line. On first down, Milton was hit for a rare two-yard loss. Rebel running back Stenberg took charge. The hard-running senior hit the middle for an eleven yard first down. Stenberg then rolled down the sideline after the pitch from Holland and simple outran the Lexington eleven for a 31-yard score. With 10:33 remaining in the third quarter, the Rebels had another PAT blocked.

Third Quarter
McKenzie 27-Lexington 7
As the final quarter began, the Rebels were again the beneficiary of great field position. At midfield, Stenberg and Milton took control. Stenberg's first carry netted the Rebels 20 yards. A costly holding penalty followed and then Stenberg produced 24 yards. With the ball sitting on the Lexington 10-yard line, Milton found running room by seven yards down to the three-yard line. Stenberg was able to tally six more points for the Rebel cause. With 10:15 remaining, Stenberg scored his fourth touchdown of the night. The two-point conversion run by Stenberg was successful.

Fourth Quarter
McKenzie 35-Lexington 7
With just over six minutes remaining in the contest, McKenzie began its final scoring drive of the night. The seven-play drive covered 69 yards. Duncan ran on second down for nine yards and reached Lexington's 29-yard line. Howard Nolen ran for three yards while Milton passed the century mark with a 13-yard gain as he reached the Tiger 11-yard line. Nolen again got the call and the senior found the end zone at the 4:17 mark. Hugo Beccerra missed the PAT.

Fourth Quarter
McKenzie 41-Lexington 7
Coach Steve Lindsey's Tigers have won three games while losing six. The Tigers are very young and will be making noise as they gain experience.

The win put the Rebels at 9-0 for the second straight year. This Friday night, the 2001 regular season comes to a close. Regardless of the outcome of this Friday, the 2001 Rebels have had a sensational year. Many records are left to be broken as the playoffs near. But, all Rebel fans will be focus on the events at Rebel Field this Friday night.

The Rebels will take on the Huntingdon Mustangs for the 2001 Region 6-AA championship. In last year's championship game, McKenzie's defense held Huntingdon to only 48 first half yards. The Stangs came out the second half and scored two quick touchdowns. McKenzie answered the ball and tied the game at 14-14. A late fourth quarter score let Huntingdon escape with a 21-14 win.
The 2001 Mustangs are 6-3, have a very diversified offensive attack. Quarterback Jacob Smothers has many options. Big fullback Keanon McKinnie (6'2"...225 pound senior), along with several other ball carriers, provides a good ground attack. Smothers has several good receivers. The Mustangs have passed for over 600 yards to date.

Common opponents for 2001 include the following:

This Friday's game will be a McKenzie's Rebel Field. Due to the importance of the game, arrive early. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.

McKenzie/Lexington series record since 1940:
McKenzie 6 wins, 22 losses, 1 tie

Coach Comer's record as head coach:
20 wins, 2 losses

McKenzie's Overall Record:
303 wins, 324 losses, 14 ties

Individual Game Statistics:
Rushing:

Keanon McKinnie scored on runs of 10 yards and one yard and Jacob Smothers connected with Larry Patton on a 30-yard touchdown pass.

The Mustangs had three turnovers, all interceptions by the Tornados. Huntingdon's Will Fisher and Brian Nellett each recovered a fumble by Union City.

First Quarter
Union City fielded the kickoff and returned the ball to their own 42 before Kenneth Porter made the stop. The Tornados first offensive play of the game netted a pass interference call against the Mustangs and a first down in Huntingdon territory. After picking up four yards on first down, the Tornados drive stalled with an incomplete pass on second down and a five-yard penalty against them on third down. McKinnie dropped Evans for a huge loss on third down and the addition of another penalty left Union City facing fourth and 27. Adam Parish fielded the punt for the Mustangs at the 29-yard line. After a gain of four by Terrence Bell, a yard by McKinnie, and an incomplete pass on third down the Mustangs were forced to punt on fourth and five. Brian Nellett's punt took a bounce in favor of the Tornados as they took over at their own 45. Jerry Slayton picked up a couple of yards before being brought down by Russell Barker on first down. Slayton picked up a first down on the next play before being stopped by Jamie Miller at the Huntingdon 45-yard line. Evans completed a pass attempt for another five yards before the Mustangs stopped the drive. On second down, John Taylor caught Evans behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of seven yards and a third down pass attempt was overthrown in heavy coverage. Union City punted on fourth and 12. The punt rolled dead at the Mustang 13-yard line. After gaining only one yard offensively on their first two attempts, a third down pass attempt by Smothers was picked off by Michael Lockridge at the Mustang 29-yard line. Slayton received the handoff on the next two attempts and picked up a first down. Huntingdon's Will Fisher and Matt Lange made the tackles. Slayton received the handoff on first down from the 18 and went around the left side for a touchdown with 2:20 remaining in the first quarter. Evans kick for the extra point was good as Union City went up 7-0. Parish fielded the kickoff for Huntingdon and had a great return before he was brought down at the Mustang 43 yard line. McKinnie and Bell combined for seven yards on first and second down bringing up third and three. A third down penalty against the Mustangs brought up third and eight. Smothers completed a pass to Robert Weathers at the Union City 41-yard line to pick up the first down. Weathers picked up another seven yards on the ground before the quarter ended with the Mustangs facing second and three and trailing Union City 7-0.

Second Quarter
Smothers scrambled on second down and came up just inches short of a first down. Smothers picked up a first down for the Mustangs on his third down attempt as Huntingdon moved to the Union City 30-yard line. Huntingdon's drive ended at the 30-yard line after an incomplete pass on first down, Smothers was stopped for no gain on second down and Lockridge broke up a pass attempt on third down. An incomplete pass on fourth down turned the ball over to the Tornados as they took over on downs at their own 30. After a gain of five on first down, Porter broke up a second down pass attempt. Slayton broke open on third and five making his way to midfield and picking up the first down before being brought down by Parish. A fumble on the next play was recovered by Nellett for the Mustangs at the Union City 47-yard line. Weathers picked up eight on the ground for the Mustangs on first down. McKinnie plowed his way down to the 30 picking up a first down on the Mustangs next play. McKinnie took the ball to the 13 on his next carry. After a gain of three on first down, McKinnie scored from 10 yards out. Marc Brown's PAT failed. With 6:30 remaining in the first half, the Mustangs trailed by one, 7-6.

Slayton returned the kickoff to the Union City 34-yard line. After a loss of four yards on first down, a second down attempt resulted in a Union City fumble that was recovered by Will Fisher for the Mustangs. Huntingdon took over at the UC 33 yard line. After a gain of three by McKinnie on first down, Smothers connected with Larry Patton for a 30-yard touchdown strike. A pass to Weathers was complete for the two-point conversion as the Mustangs took the lead, 14-7, with 4:50 remaining in the first half. After picking up one first down, Union City was stopped by the Mustangs and were forced to punt on fourth and eight. The punt appeared to have rolled into the end zone, but was touched by Union City at the goal line and ruled dead at the one-yard line. Facing fourth and one at the 10, Huntingdon opted to punt. Nellett's punt went out of bounds at the Union City 31-yard line. A first down pass attempt by Evans was good for 31 yards and a touchdown to Kenneth Soufe. The PAT was good by Evans to tie the score at 14 with 1:10 remaining in the half.

Third Quarter
Huntingdon received the kickoff to begin the second half. Weathers fielded the kickoff and was brought down at the 23-yard line. After a first down pass attempt fell incomplete, the Mustangs sustained a good drive on the ground with Weathers and McKinnie moving the ball to the UC 33-yard line. A pass attempt on second and eight resulted in an interception at the UC 19 yard line. Slayton made his way out to the 30 before being brought down by Fisher. Slayton made another good run before being stopped by McKinnie, but a holding call against the Tornados brought the run back. Slayton and Matt Harrellson combined for another first down with Weathers, Parish and Josh Pruitt making the stops. After being stopped for no gain on first down and Slayton was dropped for a loss of one by Parish on second down, a third down and 11 attempts resulted in a personal foul against the Mustangs. The penalty gave Union City a first down and the ball at the Mustang 10-yard line. Parish made the stop at the three on first down and Slayton scored on the next play from three yards out. Evans PAT was wide right as the Tornados took a 20-14 lead with 3:56 remaining in the third quarter. Huntingdon sustained a long drive with Bell, McKinnie and Weathers grounding out a couple of first downs and moving the Mustangs to the UC 25 yard line. After a gain of three by Bell moved Huntingdon to the 25, a second down pass attempt was intercepted by the Tornados inside their own 20-yard line. A holding call against the Tornados backed them up to the 10-yard line and Fisher made the stop after a gain of 13 on first down to bring up second and seven as the quarter ended with Union City leading 20-14.

Fourth Quarter
Two incomplete passes forced the Tornados to punt on fourth and seven. The punt was fielded by Parish at the Union City 45-yard line with no return. The ensuing drive resulted in three holding penalties against the Mustangs. Huntingdon was forced to go on fourth and 12, and a pass from Smothers was complete to Weathers at the seven-yard line for a first down. Weathers and McKinnie moved the Mustangs to the one-yard line and just inches short of a first down. On fourth down, McKinnie scored from one yard out to tie the score at 20. Brown's PAT was good to give the Mustangs a one point lead, 21-20 with 5:44 remaining in the game. Porter made the tackle on the kickoff as Union City began their drive from their own 35-yard line. K. Butler made the stop for no gain on first down. Slayton scrambled for 10 yards and a first down on the next attempt with Nellett making the stop at the 45. Evans scrambled away from Butler for a gain of seven on first down and Slayton was hit for a one yard loss by Alex Jordan on second down. Slayton picked up one yard before being brought down by Pruitt bringing up fourth and two. Evans picked up the yards needed for the first down and kept the Tornados drive going. Taylor Milam made the stop for a two-yard loss on first down, and McKinnie sacked Evans for another loss on second down. Facing third and 13 with under two minutes to play, a pass to Slayton was complete. Slayton was brought down by Porter short of the first down. On fourth and two, Evans completed another pass to the Mustang 22-yard line for the first down. After first and second down attempts failed, Evans went in for the field goal attempt with five seconds remaining on the clock. Evans 32-yard attempt was good as time expired to give Union City a 23-21 victory over the Mustangs.

This Friday night Huntingdon will travel to McKenzie to determine the winner of Region 6 2A. The Rebels are 9-0, 4-0 in regional action.