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By Bobby Young
Halfway through the 2001 regular season, the McKenzie
Rebels are exactly where they want to be record wise.
At 5-0, McKenzie is about to break the state's top
five once again. Lots of work is yet to be done to
fine tune the 2001 Rebels for a very demanding regular
season finish. Remaining are the ever tough Huntingdon
Mustangs, Class AAA Dyer County and this week's
opponent, Parsons Riverside Panthers. But to date,
record-wise, the Rebels are in the state's elite.
McKenzie traveled to West Carroll and played their
first game ever at the War Eagles new stadium. West
Carroll Head Coach Chris Rich and all the War Eagles
have a first class stadium. This year's squad has a
great deal of inexperience with young players seeing
action.
Game captains for McKenzie were seniors Eric Gilbert,
David Duncan, Nathan Young and Josh Stenberg. The
Rebels won the toss and elected to defer its selection
until the second half. The War Eagles took over at
their own twenty-six yard line.
War Eagle tailback James Terry carried on first down.
Rebel linebacker Justin Adkisson made the stop for a
one-yard loss. Eagle quarterback Chris Cannon ran on
second down for a four yard gain. A third down pass
from Cannon to Philip Gentile was incomplete. West
Carroll was able to get off only an eighteen-yard
punt.
With the ball at mid-field, Taylor Holland got the
call on first down for an eleven-yard gain. Brannon
Milton got the call for a twelve-yard gain and the
ball was a the War Eagle 29-yard line when Holland hit
a wide-open Jay Taylor, who went untouched for the
Rebels first score. With 8:59 remaining in the first
quarter, Josh Stenberg booted the PAT good.
First Quarter
McKenzie 7-West Carroll 0
After West Carroll's second drive, the Rebels took
over at their own forty yard line. Shiron Perkins ran
for 13 yards on first down. On the second play of the
drive, Perkins took the pitch and sped his way for a
twenty-eight yard touchdown. With 6:49 remaining in
the first quarter, McKenzie's Stenberg kicked the PAT
good.
First Quarter
McKenzie 14-West Carroll 0
The War Eagles third drive of the quarter began at
their own forty-five yard line. On first down, James
Terry was hit after a two-yard gain by Rebel defensive
end Mitchell Hall. On second down, Terry was tackled
after a four-yard gain by Eric Gilbert. A third down
fumble by the Eagles was recovered by an Eagle, but
the net result was a punt on fourth and seven.
McKenzie took over at its own thirty yard line.
Holland faked the give and ran behind Jonathan
Gaskins, Ricky Mathis and Bruce Anderson for a 13-yard
gain. Stenberg was able to run behind Jeremy Sydnor
and Stevia Harris for a big 28-yard first down. Later
in the drive, Holland faked to Milton and danced up
field for an eighteen yard gain. With the ball at the
five-yard line, Stenberg ran behind the Rebels front
wall for a five-yard touchdown. With 2:23 remaining in
first quarter action, the Rebels' Stenberg kicked the
PAT good.
First Quarter
McKenzie 21-West Carroll 0
West Carroll was able to connect on a couple of passes
in its next series. A Cannon to Justin Smith pass
covered seven yards. Two plays later, Cannon hit Blake
Abercrombie for a four-yard gain. McKenzie's Carone
Tharpe made the stop. Terry entered on fourth and six
and booted a 23-yard punt.
McKenzie took over at its own 34-yard line. On second
down, Stenberg ground out a 23-yard first down. Milton
ran for a big nine-yard pick up. Three plays later,
Milton managed seven yards down to the West Carroll
five yard line. The War Eagles Shane Depriest made the
stop. Milton took the call at the five and used his
233 pound frame to crash into the end zone. With 8:25
remaining in the first half, the PAT by Stenberg was
good.
Second Quarter
McKenzie 28-West Carroll 0
With just over four minutes before half, the Rebels
regained offensive possession 72 yards away from
another score. It took the determined gray clad Rebels
but four plays to tally its fifth first half score.
Holland had two carries in the drive for 33 yards.
Milton crunched out 15 yards in a single carry. A
Holland to Hall pass was complete for 17 yards down to
the War Eagle five yard line. The reception was
fumbled and picked up by Duncan for a touchdown.
With 2:42 remaining in the first half, the Rebels were
unable to connect on the extra point.
Second Quarter
McKenzie 34-West Carroll 0
Stats at the half indicated that the Rebels were in
command. They had 254 rushing yards and 46 passing
yards for 300 total yards. West Carroll had 57 rushing
yards and 24 in the air for 81 total yards.
During intermission, the home fans were treated to two
fine band performances as McKenzie's Marching Rebels
and West Carroll's Marching War Eagles presented their
competitive shows.
McKenzie received the opening kick of the second half.
The on-side kick was recovered by the Rebels Brian
Winston at the Eagle 47-yard line. In at quarterback
was Matt Merrick (out a couple of games with a
shoulder injury), who picked up eight yards on first
down. Big Brad Campbell carried for two consecutive
plays. Campbell blasted out 26 yards on the two
attempts. Merrick carried for two plays and a total of
nine yards. Cody Cook was thrown for a three-yard loss
on third down. On fourth and goal from the six,
fullback Campbell rammed his way for a six-yard score.
With 7:54 remaining in the third quarter, Hugo Beccera
shanked the extra point.
Third Quarter
McKenzie 40-West Carroll 0
Late in the third quarter, the War Eagles began to
have success with the running of Depriest, who
scampered for 16 yards on three consecutive carries. A
third down and nine pass play from Cannon to Justin
Smith was thrown short. Justin Adkisson, the Rebels
senior linebacker stepped in front of the errant pass
and raced untouched for a 47-yard score. With 5:57
remaining in the third quarter, Becerra missed the
PAT.
Third Quarter
McKenzie 46-West Carroll 0
McKenzie's final scoring drive came early in the final
quarter. Starting from the War Eagle forty-yard line,
Campbell picked up five yards on first down. Merrick
was tackled by the Eagles Jimmy Cherry after only one
yard. On third down, Cook got to the outside for a
six-yard gain. A fumble was retained by McKenzie as
the football bounced out of bounds at the nineteen
yard line. Campbell received the next three carries.
On first down, Campbell picked up four yards. A
fourteen yard gain by the fullback took McKenzie down
to the one-yard line. Campbell then carried the ball
into the end zone with 7:00 remaining in the contest.
Becerra booted the PAT good.
Fourth Quarter
McKenzie 53-West Carroll 0
With a field full of younger Rebels, West Carroll took
over at its own twenty-one yard line. Jazz Taylor made
the first stop on Terry after a two-yard gain. The War
Eagles then began a long time consuming drive. Philip
Gentile carried for no gain while Ethan Thompson
carried for five yards. A fourth down pass from Cannon
to Smith covered fourteen yards and gained the War
Eagles a first down. Two plays later, Cannon hit
Eugene Finley for a 10 yard gain. Then with only 39
seconds remaining in the contest, Cannon found an
uncovered Jeremiah Johnson for a 35-yard score. Kelley
Keen kicked the PAT good.
Fourth Quarter
McKenzie 53-West Carroll 7
Coach Chris Rich's War Eagles have been plagued by
crucial injuries so far this season. Many sophomore
and freshmen have been moved into the starting lineup
as a result. As time matures the young War Eagles (and
injuries heal), West Carroll can be more competitive
as the second half of the season ensues. This week
they will be traveling to Joe T. Herndon Stadium for a
regional game with the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Tigers,
always a tough and competitive contest.
Game six for the McKenzie Rebels will be the game of
the year to date. The winner is almost assured of at
least a runner-up spot in Region 6-AA and the first
round of the playoffs at home.
Coach Jeff Robertson has Billy Ringger at quarterback.
Ringger has been playing since his sophomore year. In
2000, he threw for 950 yards and 13 touchdowns. Drew
Ruggiano will be the primary ball carrier.
Last year the Rebels traveled to Parsons and blasted
the Panthers 34-6. McKenzie's offense ran for 219
yards while limiting Parsons to only 126. The Rebel
defensive secondary picked off a school record five
interceptions.
The 2001 Rebels will need a complete game at Riverside
to down the Panthers. Kickoff will be 7:30 at
Riverside.
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