By Bobby Young

Although it had been raining off and on for several hours prior to kickoff Friday night, the rain held off and the Rebels defense held up in an ever-important non-region victory for McKenzie. The traveling gray clad Rebels gave up only three big plays on defense (51 yards, 16 yards and 22 yards). But all three plays cost dearly as Trenton tallied three touchdowns. The Rebels, for three consecutive weeks, were able to pound the football on the ground (222 yards) and improved its air game to continue undefeated in 2001.
McKenzie won the coin toss and deferred its selection to the second half. After a short kickoff, Trenton began from their own forty-four yard line. On first down, fullback Brad Johnson was stopped for no gain by Justin Adkisson. On second down, the Tide picked up nine yards. A third down carry caught the Rebels napping. Trenton rambled into the secondary with Johnson carrying the football. The Rebel safeties were out of position and unable to make a play as Johnson went virtually untouched for a 51-yard touchdown run. With 10:35 remaining in the first quarter, J. B. Taylor made the extra point.

First Quarter
McKenzie 0-Trenton 7

Shiron Perkins returned the kickoff after the touchdown some 25 yards to the forty-four yard line. David Duncan took the pitch to the corner, but the Rebel speedster was hit for a two-yard loss. Brannon Milton hit the middle for a big six-yard gain. On third down, quarterback Taylor Holland hit Mitchell Hall as he crossed over the middle. Hall grabbed the reception and took to the sideline for a 46-yard gain, down to the 12-yard line. On first down, Perkins was hit for a one-yard loss. Milton ran for two yards on second down. Perkins ran for two yards on third down. Quarterback Holland rolled right on fourth down and found Duncan just inside the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown pass. With 6:15 remaining in the first quarter, Josh Stenberg booted the PAT.

First Quarter
McKenzie 7-Trenton 7

Defensively, McKenzie finished the quarter strong. Trenton's offense had three carries for a minus two yards. Good strong tackling by Chris Stephens, Ricky Mathis, Eric Gilbert and Carone Tharpe kept the Tide at bay.

With 3:15 remaining in the first quarter, McKenzie took over at its own 36 yard line. Holland was hit for a one-yard loss on first down. Perkins was stoped for a one -yard loss on second down. A third down pass to a driving Hall was complete for a 12-yard first down gain. Two plays later, a quarterback option found Holland in the secondary for a thirty-three yard gain down to the Trenton ten-yard line. Stenberg ran behind good line blocking for a five-yard gain. Stenberg again got the carry and blasted his way into the Trenton end zone from five yards out. With only 29 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Stenberg kicked the PAT good.

First Quarter
McKenzie 14-Trenton 7

It appeared the Rebels were on another scoring drive when a Trenton interception stymied a scoring opportunity. The Tide took over 79 yards away from a tying score.

McKenzie's defense seemed to tire as the Tide began to run the ball consistently for the first time in the game. Issiah Cherry ran for six yards to near midfield. A Peyton Harper to Jay Hickerson pass was good for twelve yards. McKenzie was guilty of a costly 15 yard penalty. The Rebels defense gave up a 16-yard touchdown run in the middle of its drive. Rick Humphreys twisted and turned his way for the tying score with 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The PAT was good by Taylor.

Second Quarter
McKenzie 14-Trenton 14

With under 30 seconds remaining in the first half, a Trenton kick was returned by the exciting Perkins. Perkins found the sideline and darted his way past the last of the Tide tacklers. Perkins wound up in the end zone, but a late penalty against the Rebels for blocking from behind, negated the 75-yard score.

Statistics at the half found the Rebels ahead in almost every category. McKenzie had 97 rushing yards to 102 for Trenton. The Rebels threw for 67 first half yards to only 25 for the Tide. The visiting Rebels had five first downs to three for Trenton.

During intermission, fans were treated to fine perfomances by the Marching Rebels and Marching Patriots.
McKenzie received the football to open the second half. The kick was shot and returned to the Rebel 42 yard line. In the drive, big plays by Holland (10 yards), Stenberg (six, four and seven yards) took the Rebels down to the Tide 25 yard line. Hall caught an over the shoulder pass and rambled twenty-three yards down to the Tide five yard line. Stenberg ran behind Jeremy Sydnor for a two-yard gain to the three yard line. Stenberg again got the call and rammed the football inside the Tide one-yard line. But the football was jared loose and recovered by the Tide at its own one yard line.

On first down from the one, junior Cherry found a little gap for a two-yard gain to the three yard line. Cherry again got the call, but was hemmed in at the corner of the end zone. Cherry was stripped of the football and McKenzie linebacker Adkisson recovered for a go-ahead score. With 7:49 remaining in the third quarter, the PAT was off the mark and no good.

Third Quarter
McKenzie 20-Trenton 14

Late in the third quarter, the Rebels took over at their own 16-yard line. Perkins helped get the Rebels out of the hole on a 35-yard first down run. The drive spilled over into the final period of action as McKenzie moved into Trenton territory. Stenberg found running room on the corner and blasted a Tide cornerback as he was finally halted after a 19-yard gallop down to the Tide five-yard line. Perkins picked up a yard on first down while Holland took the ball three yards for the touchdown with 9:22 remaining in the game. Coach Comer elected to make it a 14-point game by rolling Holland out right where he found Hall and hit him for the two-point conversion.

Fourth Quarter
McKenzie 28-Trenton 14

With 3:45 remaining in the contest, Trenton began from its 45 yard line. For the first time since early in the second quarter, McKenzie had trouble stopping the run. Junior Daniel Cliff found running room for nine yards. Humphreys hit the Rebels for eleven big yards, down to the McKenzie 36 yard line. A Harper to Hickerson pass was good for 14 yards. Two plays later, the Rebels against lost coverage on the Tide's wide-outs. Adam Fisher went uncovered for a toss from Harper (down to the one-yard line). Fisher stepped over the goal line untouched with 1:53 remaining in the game.

An on-side kick was unsuccessful by Trenton and McKenzie took over at the Tide 32 yard line. There plays later, at the Trenton 18 yard line, the Rebel coaching staff chose to down the ball and hold on for a great 28-20 victory.

This Friday night, the Rebels will be back at Rebel Field for a homecoming engagement with Region 6-AA opponent Adamsville. The 2001 Cardinals are coming off a 42-14 victory over Gleason. McNairy downed Adamsville in week one 54-0 while Huntingdon took a 49-8 victory in week two.

Last year, McKenzie began slowly and trailed 6-2 early in the game. Big third and fourth quarter, where McKenzie scored 46 points, propelled the host to a 54-6 victory. Since 1940, the Rebels have played the Cardinals six times and won five of those meetings.

Kickoff time is 7:30. Tailgate time is 6:30.
   

Region 6-AA

High School Action

McKenzie 28  -  Trenton 20
West Carroll 32  -  Gibson County 14
Huntingdon 52  -    Lexington 7
USJ 51-H.R.  -  Bruceton 6
Dresden 26  -  Fayette Academy 24
Westview 35  -  Memphis S. Side 6
Greenfield 46  -  Middleton 0
Adamsville 42  -  Gleason 14
North Side 24  -  South Side 14
Lewis County 27  -  Riverside 6
Obion County 36  -  Lake County 0
South Fulton 21  -  Fulton City KY 14
Camden 25  -  Mont. Central 7
Union city 25  -   Trezevant 16
Chester County 15  -  Perry Co. 14
JCS 42  -  Halls 14
TCA 34  -  Mt. Juliet 20

Junior High Action
Thursday, September 13

West Carroll At McKenzie
Riverside at H.R.-Bruceton
Gleason at Dresden

Games Friday, Sept. 14

Adamsville at McKenzie
Huntingdon at Chester County
West Carroll at Caldwell Co. KY
H.R.-Bruceton at Lake County
South Fulton at Gleason
Westview at Humboldt
Union City at Milan
Dresden at Trenton Peabody
Greenfield at Halls
South Fulton at Gleason
TCA at Perry County
JCS at Middleton
USJ at Fayette Academy
South Side at Boliver