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With running backs Demerick Diggs and Cody Cook each eclipsing the 100-yard rushing barrier in the skirmish, the Rebels ran past the Choctaws 28-12.

Diggs finished with 137 yards on 14 carries, including a 56-yard touchdown run, while Cook gained 135 yards in 11 attempts, with a 57-yard scoring sprint, as McKenzie improved its season slate to 5-2. Two other six-pointers, a 25-yard pass from Matt Merrick to Jay Taylor and a seven-yard burst to the end zone by Diggs, proved to be more than enough points to put Dyer County in the loss column for the sixth time in seven outings.

The host Choctaws, a Class AAA squad, ran more plays (50-45) and had the ball more than three minutes longer than the visiting Rebels, but McKenzie's two touchdowns late in the first half erased a 6-0 deficit and put the guests ahead to stay.

Cook's long scoring jaunt and the first of four conversion kicks by John Laughery gave MHS a 7-6 lead with just 2:20 left to play in the second quarter. A big hit by Diggs forced Dyer County to fumble the ensuing kickoff and John Craig Howell made the recovery for the Rebels at the Choctaw 25.

On the next play, Merrick hit Taylor in the left corner of the end zone to give McKenzie its second TD in just 10 seconds. The point-after made it 14-6 Rebels.

"That turnover on the kickoff was big," Comer said. "After that, we pretty much had control of the game."

After dropping a 7-6 heartbreaker last week to visiting Decatur County-Riverside, the Rebels were out of sync in the early going at DCHS. McKenzie's offensive line warmed up to the task, however, and Comer's club got back on the winning track.

"We struggled a little at the first of the game," the coach added. "It took us a little while to put that one last week behind us, but we finally took control out front."

The MHS mentor hopes his team can do more of the same this week when the Rebels entertain Chester County in a crucial Region 6-2A contest. With just one loss against region foes, McKenzie is still in the hunt for the region title and a home field berth in the post-season playoffs. Dyer County, now 1-6 for the campaign, plays host to Obion County Central in a Region 7-3A clash.

The Choctaws had the early advantage, but wasted two drives into McKenzie territory in the first quarter. The Rebels, meanwhile, managed just three plays on each of their first two possessions and gave the home team the ball again to start the second stanza.

Beginning at their own 32, DC moved to the Rebel 6 before a delay of game penalty forced a field goal attempt on fourth-and-goal from the 11. The 28-yard boot sailed wide left and the game remained scoreless.

Still struggling to get the offense into gear, McKenzie bobbled the ball away at their own 37 on the next possession. This time, the Choctaws found the end zone.

Boosted along by a pass interference penalty on MHS, the DC club took the lead when Brian Fisk scored on fourth-and-goal from three yards out just 3:17 prior to intermission. The conversion kick missed the mark, leaving the Choctaws up 6-0.

McKenzie responded with an explosive offensive attack. On second-and-seven from the Dyer County 43, Cook raced through a big hole in the line and rambled 57 yards to tie the game. Laughery made it 7-6.

On the kick off, Diggs came up with the big stick and Howell was in the right place to get the loose ball. Seconds later, Merrick hit Taylor with a perfect pass to increase the lead.

Dyer County tossed a pair of incomplete passes, was flagged for having an ineligible receiver downfield on third-and-long and then took a knee to close out the half.

After the break, it was all McKenzie.

In the second half, the Rebels controlled the football with its ground-based offense and limited the Choctaws to a single first down with a tough defensive effort.

Dyer County's only success in the second half came late in the third quarter when Fisk, a senior standout, picked off an errant MHS pass attempt at the Choctaw 5 and sprinted 95 yards down the visiting sideline with the interception return for a touchdown. A two-point conversion attempt that would have knotted the game failed, allowing the Rebels to hang on to the lead.

McKenzie had used more than 5:00 on the clock and moved from its own 20 to the DC 14 when Fisk snagged the third-and-seven pass play.

Fisk's interception run left quite an impression on both his own team and the visiting Rebels in what could have been his final prep gridiron performance. The versatile athlete was scheduled for gall bladder surgery on Monday.

Clinging to a slim lead, the Rebels took the kickoff and went back to work. Cook romped 50 yards to the Choctaw 24 on first down, but MHS eventually lost the ball on downs at the Dyer County 14.

Following a punt by the home team in the opening ticks of the final frame, the guests moved 44 yards in just five plays with Diggs padding the lead from the Choctaw 7. The opponents swapped punts until Diggs tacked on his big scoring burst with time winding down.

Following the win over the Choctaws, Comer reminded his troops to remain focused and take each of the remaining games on the schedule as they come.

"Every game now is big, especially when you get down to the tie-breakers and such at the end of the year," he explained. "We've just got to take care of business. If we take care of ourselves, we'll be all right."

Gale Cavness is a veteran award-winning sports writer and a contributor for The Checkerboard magazine.

SUMMARY
M 0 14 0 14   28
D 0   6 6   0   12

SECOND QUARTER
DC - 3:17 Brian Fisk 3 run, kick failed (6 plays, 37 yards, 2:43)
M - 2:20 Cody Cook 57 run, John Laughery kick (2 plays, 60 yards, :57)
M - 2:10 Jay Taylor 25 pass from Matt Merrick, Laughery kick (1 play, 25 yards, :10)
THIRD QUARTER
DC - 3:46 Fisk 95 interception return, run failed
FOURTH QUARTER
M - 9:09 Demerick Diggs 7 run, Laughery kick (5 plays, 44 yards, 1:59)
M - 3:50 Diggs 56 run, Laughery kick (1 play, 56 yards, :14)


                               M            D
Final score                28           12
First downs               12            8
Att.-yds. rushing  40-360      36-72
Yds. passing              35           25
Comp.-att.-int       2-5-2     3-14-1
Total yards              395           97
No. of plays               45           50
Fumbles-lost             3-2          5-2
Punts-avg.              3-29        7-25
Penalties-yds.          5-55        7-45
Possession             22:16       25:44
Third down               2-7         2-12
Fourth down             0-1           2-3
Red zone-scores        1-3           1-2

In the contest between two closely matched teams, Huntingdon was ranked number four in Class 2A and the Bulldogs were ranked number five in the state AP poll going into the game, turnovers turned out to be the Mustangs downfall. Two interceptions resulted in points for the Bulldogs. Although Huntingdon recovered three fumbles, one by Mark Newsome, Brian Nellett and Nathan Wallace, the Mustangs capitalized on only one of the fumbles. Defensively the other fumble recoveries were important as they stopped two drives that Milan was threatening to score on.

The Bulldog's tough defensive effort held the Mustangs to 156 yards rushing. They had been averaging 328 yards rushing prior to Friday night's game.

Terrence Bell was held to 75 yards on the ground, while Kenneth Porter rushed for 61.

First Quarter
The Bulldogs received the opening kickoff and scored on their first offensive series on a 52-yard pass from George West to Daylon Walker. Sam Sullivan added the PAT to give Milan an early 7-0 lead. Huntingdon first offensive possession ended with an interception. The Bulldogs capitalized on the turnover scoring on a one yard run by Schaffin Sanders. Sullivan's added the PAT to give the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead with 2:22 remaining in the first period. Robert Weathers fielded the ensuing kickoff. Weathers gained several yards on the return before being chased out of bounds at the Mustang 33 yard line. Bell then picked up two first downs on two carries while moving the Mustangs to the Bulldog 32 yard line. Porter gained seven yards on first down. Bell again received the handoff and broke away to the Bulldog nine-yard line picking up another Mustang first down as the first period ended with Milan leading 14-0.

Second Quarter
Facing first and goal from the Bulldog nine-yard line, a five-yard penalty against the Bulldogs gave the Mustangs the ball at the four. On the next play Matt Lange took it in from four yards out to put the Mustangs on the board. Mark Newsome's PAT was good as Huntingdon cut the Milan lead to 14-7 with 11:55 remaining in the second period. The ensuing kickoff was returned to the Bulldog 27 yard line. On the first play of the drive Milan fumbled and the ball was recovered by Wallace at the 23. The Mustangs took advantage of the turnover as the fumble recovery resulted in a TD for the Mustangs. Carries by Porter and Bell netted eight yards. On fourth and two Desmond Townes picked up the first down. Runs by Lange and Bell moved the Mustangs to the 11-yard line. Facing third and nine, Justin Truett completed an 11-yard pass to Andrew Maddox for a touchdown. Newsome's kick was off the mark as the Mustangs now trailed by one, 14-13, with 8:36 remaining in the second period. The Bulldogs put together a time consuming drive but were eventually forced to punt on fourth and eight. The punt went into the end zone and Huntingdon began its drive from their own 20. The Mustangs were forced to punt on fourth and six. Milan moved the ball downfield and added another touchdown on a 12-yard pass from
West to Daniel Beasley. With no time remaining in the half Sullivan failed on the extra point attempt as the Bulldogs took a 20-13 lead into halftime.

Third Quarter
The Mustangs received the ball to begin the second half. Their first series of the second period ended with an interception. The interception set up an 80-yard touchdown by Rod Smith. Sullivan was good on the PAT giving Milan a 27-13 lead with 8:24 remaining in the third. Huntingdon's next time was plagued by penalties and they were forced to punt on fourth and 25. Nellett's punt rolled dead at the Bulldog 21. Milan put together a substantial drive and moved the ball to the Mustang 15 yard line and were threatening to score, but a fumble, recovered by Brian Nellett, gave the Mustangs the ball back with 1:01 remaining in the third.

Fourth Quarter
After being forced to punt when the Mustang's drive stalled near midfield, Milan called for a fair catch and went back on the offensive beginning at its own 20-yard line. Milan moved the ball downfield and again was well into Mustang territory when Milan fumbled and Huntingdon's Mark Newsome recovered it.

Huntingdon failed to take advantage of the turnover as both teams remained scoreless in the fourth period. The Bulldogs held on for the victory by a score of 27-13.

Huntingdon will travel to Riverside Friday night, who in somewhat of an upset defeated McNairy County Friday night, for a regional match up with the Panthers. Riverside narrowly defeated the McKenzie Rebels, 7-6, to remain undefeated in regional action.

 Huntingdon and Riverside each have a record of 6-1 overall and 3-0 in Region 6 2A. This game is an important game for both Riverside and Huntingdon as it may eventually determine who will claim the Region 6 2A championship and has implications in the pairings for the upcoming playoffs. The Mustangs have two remaining games after the Riverside match up, a non-regional contest with Union City and region and county rival McKenzie will complete the regular season.

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