| |
By Jim Steele
steele@mckenziebanner.com |
| |
Huntingdon avenged last year’s 13-7 loss at McKenzie with
a 21-7 victory last Friday night, in a game that was
closer than the score would indicate.In the process,
the Mustangs wrested the Region 6-2A championship away
from the upstart Rebs, who, with the loss, finished third
in the league. It was Huntingdon’s 500th career win and
head coach Mike Mansfield’s 100th (see related story).
The Mustangs can breath easy for the moment as they
brace for the Fairview Yellow Jackets this Friday night in
the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs. But if
McKenzie can win its playoff game at Waverly this Friday
night, both teams will be right back at Paul Ward Stadium
on Nov. 15.
This was not an easy victory for the Mustangs.
“McKenzie came to play,” Mansfield said. “How could you
not be motivated? A regional championship was on the
line.”
The Rebels made a change at quarterback this week at
practice, starting freshman Drew Hayes in place of senior
Matt Merrick. Hayes is perhaps a more proficient passer
than the gutty running senior QB Merrick. And Hayes led
his team on an eye-opening 87-yard TD drive.
The Rebel defense pounded away at Huntingdon and forced
an early punt, which enabled Hayes to do his thing. It
took the Rebs 12 plays to reach the end zone, which
culminated in Jay Taylor’ 27-yard TD circus catch with
2:31 to play in the quarter. Mansfield said he knew Hayes
might get in the game.
“We knew coming in that if Hayes played, they’d throw
the ball a lot more,” he said. “Hayes played a good game.”
The rookie was 9-for-19 for 124 yards, a touchdown and
an interception in his first start.
“Hayes is very mature for a freshman and he always
wants the ball in his hands,” said McKenzie coach Wade
Comer. “To come in and play like he did against an
archrival was great. He took us right down the field in
our opening drive and that’s what we are looking for.”
The 7-0 score held up until early in the second frame,
when Huntingdon quarterback Daniel Truett called his own
number and scored from the 1 with 9:52 to play in the
half. Mark Newsome kicked the first of three PATs to even
the score. The teams were deadlocked at the break.
In the third quarter, however, the Mustangs took
control of the game. Huntingdon forced three Rebel punts
in the third alone and scored twice. Truett found Terrence
Bell for a 60-yard TD pass with 9:03 to play in the third
to give the Mustangs a 14-7 lead. Bell had four catches
for 118 yards. He also had a 23-yard touchdown sweep
nullified by a holding call, the second of two scores
waved off by yellow laundry. Kenneth Porter answered the
call late in the third.
He raced 19 yard for an insurance score with 1:34 to
play in the period.
The Rebels’ game-long field position struggles showed
up in the final frame. McKenzie simply couldn’t exhume
itself from the shadow of its own goal post.
“I wonder what our average starting field position
was,” said Comer. “I know we never started on their side
of the 50. Their kicking game was excellent and kept us
pinned in.”
McKenzie blocked a field goal at the start of the final
frame, but couldn’t capitalize on the momentum.
When the horn sounded, though, Huntingdon knew it was
in a game.
“When you are playing someone who lives across the
ditch, it’s tough,” said Mansfield with a smile. “Give
McKenzie credit; they came over here to win a regional
championship and played a physical game. We’ve had three
physical games in a row.”
But the Mustangs were able to overcome the pounding and
implemented its finesse game well enough to win
“We made a lot of mistakes, but the effort and intensity
was there,” Mansfield said. “We blocked a lot better and
sustained our blocks and we made runs.”
Comer echoed the intensity sentiment.
“Both sides showed a lot of intensity,” Comer said. “I
take my hat off to Huntingdon; they have a great team and
they are well coached. I hate that we came out on the
short end, but we’re getting there.”
The MHS coach praised his team’s defense.
“The defense played well. Huntingdon has a lot of speed
and we had to be disciplined out there,” Comer said. “A
lot of people don’t realize that that’s 11 new starters
out there. I thought they were well prepared.”
Truett had a good night passing for the ‘Stangs. He was
4-8-118 with an interception and a touchdown. Kenneth
Porter had 19 carries for 92 yards.
The Rebels were led by Taylor with three catches for 78
yards. Matt Jones had three grabs for 29 yards. Cody Cook
was the top ground gainer for McKenzie with 22 totes for
82 yards.
“We’re getting better,” said Comer. “Now it’s time to
get in the playoffs and start over again.”
HEADHUNTER HONORS: Ricky Mathis was the Rebels’ top
headhunter for the Huntingdon game. He had 28 points. Brad
Campbell had 26, John Craig Howell 21, Jay Taylor 18,
Daniel Beal 15, Daniel Duncan 13 and Randy Lacey 11.
The point system is devised by assigning value to a
variety of defensive tasks, such as tackles, fumble
recoveries, interceptions, sacks, pass break-ups, etc.
GETTING TO WAVERLY: Head to Huntingdon, take Highway 70
to Waverly. The Tigers play their home games on campus and
the school is located right off of Highway 70 in Humphries
County.
The Tigers are 8-2 on the year an the Region 5-2A
runners-up.
SUMMARY
M 7 0 0 0 7
H 0 7 14 0 21
FIRST QUARTER
M - Jay Taylor 27 pass from Drew Hayes, John Kermit
Laughery kick.
SECOND QUARTER
H - Daniel Truett 1 run, Mark Newsome kick.
THIRD QUARTER
H - Terrence Bell 60 pass from Truett, Newsome kick.
H - Kenneth Porter 19 run, Newsome kick.
M H
Final score 7 21
First downs 9 8
Yds. rushing 95 151
Yds. passing 124 118
Total yards 219 269
Fumbles-lost 2-1 0-0
Comp.-att.- int.9-19-1 4-8-1
Punts-avg. 5-34 4-31
Penalties-yds. 7-35 10-75
Possession 24:35 23:25
Red zone-scores0-0 2-5
Third down 5-12 4-10
Fourth down 2-3 1-3
|
