Friday night at historic Freed Field in Trenton, the No. 7-ranked 2A McKenzie Rebels grabbed that measuring stick and applied it to the backside of the host Trenton-Peabody Golden Tide.

The Rebels captured a 35-7 victory in a game that wasn't as close as the score indicated. MHS used only 8:43 of the allotted 24 first-half minutes to compile its 35 points and the blitzkrieg spoiled the Tide's homecoming celebration.

The first-half performance was perhaps the best display of football by this Rebel team all season, on both sides of the line. The Rebels were essentially on autopilot in the second half and had the game well in control.

"When we came out, we were ready to play because we knew we were in for a good game," said McKenzie coach Wade Comer. "We took it to them and just did a great job in the first half."

The Rebels, 5-0 for the second time in three years, spread the wealth again. They had 398 total yards of which 265 came through the air to seven different receivers.

"We sure are getting people in the mix and this isn't a one-man show," said Comer. "But these kids play well as a team and they aren't worried about stats."

Sophomore quarterback Drew Hayes, who was 15-24 with three TDs and two interceptions, moved into fourth-place all time in career passing yardage with 1,560 yards. He trails Brian Smith's 1,593 yards set in 1993 for third place. Taylor Holland is the all-time leader with 2,982 yards. His career ended in 2001.

In addition, Hayes has moved into third place for single-season passing with 1,125 yards, leap-frogging Phillip Curry, who had 1,038 yards in 1992.

"Drew is doing an excellent job," said Comer. "He's getting better at making reads and is making a conscious effort to correct mistakes."

Hayes and crew got started early and often and wasted little time in the process. During their first possession, the Rebels used six plays to go 48 yards. Hayes found junior Cody Cook for a 10-yard screen pass that resulted in six points. The try for two failed, even though it appeared that senior fullback Brad Campbell had easily broken the plane.

The Rebs would be back again, and quickly. After another defensive stoning, MHS took over at the 46 and scored eight plays later. Senior Jake Smith made a circus catch look easy for the score with 4:20 to play. This time, Campbell did score the deuce and MHS led 14-0 with 4:20 to play in the first.

McKenzie took over to start the second frame and scored six plays and 64 yards later, it was 21-0. Cook ended the drive with his 4-yard burst into the end zone. John Kermit Laughery connected on the first of three PATs with 8:51 to play.

Two big sacks by senior Andrew Cross helped set up the next Rebel drive. In lightning fashion, MHS needed only two plays - a 37-yard aerial to Clint Anderson to set the table and a 15-yard scoring toss to Randy Lacey - to catapult it to a 28-0 lead with 5:34 to play in the half.

Cross forced the issue again on defense, hurrying Tide quarterback Peyton Harper, then assisting on a big third-down stop. It was McKenzie's ball again with 4:07 to play in the half. It wouldn't take long to score again. Anderson hauled in another 33-yard reception, then Cook scored three plays later from the 3 with 2:52 to play. The shell-shocked Tide found itself in a 35-0 halftime hole.

As the second half unfolded, McKenzie hit the snooze button and played in a somewhat deflated manner.

"We just came out flat in the second half," said Comer. "We kept running our offense, but we lost our focus and just didn't execute."

The Tide managed a TD with 3:11 to play in the third. Running back Josh McDaniel headed for the end zone from the 1 and fumbled into the end zone where Weston Hickerson recovered it for the score. Derek Colwyck added the PAT, but the damage had been done.

"The defense was excellent," said Comer. "We played exceptionally well on defense and Coach (David) Duncan and Coach (Brad) Chappell are doing a great job preparing these kids."

The Tide did managed 155 through the air and receiver Bill Joyner had four catches for 70 yards.

Senior Daniel Hollowell was the Rebels' defensive leader with eight tackles, including a sack. Cross had six stops, two sacks and a hurry. John Craig Howell had five tackles. Josh Lowe, Anderson and Campbell each had four. Kris Sydnor, Clint Manns and Greg Pruitt aeach had three stops. Jake Smith had two tackles and an interception.

Cook had 12 carries for 74 yards and a TD to lead the ground attack. He also had three catches for 43 yards and two more scores. Howell had three catches for 55 yards and Lacey had three for 33. Anderson had two grabs for 70 and Campbell had two for 31. Manns had a critical catch for 23 yards and Smith had a reception for a 10-yard TD.

The Rebels travel to Decatur County next week and face Region 6-2A rival Riverside. A victory over the Panthers would lock up a playoff spot and clinch no worse than third place in the region. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. this Friday night.

M 14 21 0 0 - 35
T 0 0 7 0 - 7

FIRST QUARTER
M - 7:04 Cody Cook 10 pass from Drew Hayes, run failed (6 plays, 52 yards, 1:34).
M - 4:20 Jake Smith 10 pass from Hayes, Campbell run (6 plays, 54 yards, :57).
SECOND QUARTER
M - 8:51 Cook 4 run, John Kermit Laughery kick (8 plays, 64 yards, 3:09).
M - 5:34 Randy Lacey 15 pass from Hayes, Laughery kick (3 plays, 52 yards, :46).
M - 2:52 Cook 3 run, Laughery kick (4 plays, 40 yards, 1:15).
THIRD QUARTER
T - Weston Hickerson fumble recovery in end zone, Derek Colwyck kick (4 plays, 23 yards, 1:40).

M T
First Downs 18 11
Yds. Rush 133 265
Yds. Pass 265 155
Total Yds. 398 182
Comp.-att.-int. 15-24-2 7-19-1
Fumbles-lost 2-2 1-0
Third down 5-10 2-10
Fourth down 1-1 0-3
Red zone-scores 5-6 1-1
Penalties 7-65 3-25
Punts 2-38 6-35
Possession 25:22 22:38

It was a perfect night for football, temps in the lower 70’s, only a light wind and clear skies. The Vikings won the toss and elected to defer offensive possession until the second half’s action. Jeremiah Johnson received the opening kickoff and returned the ball for 17 yards to the War Eagle 34. Kevin Gentile took the first handoff and rushed for 16 yards. Shane Depriest picked up nine and then five more yards. Gentile took the ball for no gain while S. Depriest gained two. On third and eight, quarterback Chris Cannon passed the ball to Chancy Depriest for a gain of 11. Gentile then gained three while S. Depriest picked up gains of five and three for the first down. Gentile took the ball down to the two-yard line and S. Depriest got the TD at the 6:46 mark. Kelley Keen came in to kick the first of five for the night and nailed it to put the War Eagles up 7-0.

The War Eagles Kevin Taylor kicked the ball to Brett Hoffman at the nine and the ball was returned to the 28 before he was brought down. The Vikings then put on an eight play drive which ended with a punt on the ninth. Wesley Arnold who had just played his first game of the season after a pre-season injury was shaken during the drive. Kenny Brewer, Bradley Coleman, Jason Lott, Ethan Thompson, Keen and Arnold, who returned late in the drive led the defensive effort leading to the punt on fourth and eight.

Gentile began the next War Eagle series with an 11-yard gain. S. Depriest took the ball for four while C. Depriest ran the reverse for a gain of 19. S. Depriest ran off tackle for a gain of four and Cannon made a quarterback sweep for a gain of 12. C. Depriest gained nine and was held for no gain on another reverse as the first quarter came to an end. S. Depriest then took the ball for three while Gentile ran for three. On second and seven, Cannon passed incomplete to Blake Abercrombie in the end zone. Facing third and seven at the nine, Gentile took the ball into the end zone and then Keen tacked on one more to give West Carroll a 14-0 lead at the 10:35 mark of the second period.

Taylor’s kick rolled out of bounds and he kicked again, this time an onsides kick to Brian Mathis. Karl Erwin made the tackle as the Vikings took over at the West Carroll 43. Warren Bates passed the ball to Colin Bastin for a gain of 13 and then a 30-yard pass to Zach Garrison gave the Vikings their first score of the night at the 9:54 mark. The PAT attempt by the Vikings was off the mark and a holding penalty was declined as the lead was narrowed to 14-6.

An onsides kick to Erwin gave the War Eagles possession as their own 45. S. Depriest took the ball for an eight-yard gain and then picked up a yard. Cannon kept the ball, fumbled and recovered for a loss of one. A fourth down fumble and recovery turned the ball over to the Vikings on downs.

Despite good field position and a strong drive, the Vikings came up empty when Bates passed the ball into the end zone and it was intercepted by Abercrombie for the War Eagles. The Vikings made several pass plays during the series. S. Depriest got a sack for a loss of two while Taylor and Johnson made significant tackles as well.

With the ball at their own 20, Gentile took off for gains of five, nine and 12 yards. With the ball at the 46, Perry County took a time-out at the 3:23 mark. S. Depriest came back to pick up a yard while Cannon’s pass to Johnson resulted in a gain of 35 yards. Gentile gained a yard, S. Depriest two and Gentile four more. West Carroll then took a time-out at the 1:03 mark with the ball at the 13. After a motion penalty and with the ball at the 18, Cannon passed the ball to Johnson in the end zone. Fans thought there had been defensive pass interference, but it was not called and the War Eagles turned the ball over on downs
The Vikings got a lot of yardage and a score out of the remaining time on the clock. West Carroll was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct which moved the ball to the 31. An incomplete pass was followed by a completed one for a gain of 44 yards. Quarterback Bates spiked the ball to stop the clock at the 31.4 second mark and then a pass to the end zone was broken up by Cannon. On third and 10, Bates completed a pass to put the Vikings within two of the War Eagles and the two-point conversion, a pass play to Bastin was good for two more, tying the game at 14 at the 18.6 mark.

Despite the lack of time, the War Eagles also mounted an offensive assault. The ball was kicked out of bounds at the War Eagle 42 and they took over at that point. Cannon scrambled for a gain of 44 and ran out of bounds, stopping the clock at the two-tenths of a second mark. With first down at the 14, Johnson ran off tackle and picked up 10 yards as time expired. The half ended with the game tied at 14.

West Carroll’s Taylor opened the third period by kicking the ball to Hoffman at the 17 and he was run out of bounds at the 36. Despite the efforts of Erwin, Lott, Johnson, S. Depriest and Taylor, the Vikings made a 10-play drive to pay dirt, arriving in the end zone at the 7:49 mark of the third period. The PAT was no good and the Vikings now led 20-14.

The War Eagles and Vikings then had uneventful possessions during the remainder of the third period. While S. Depriest, Johnson, Gentile and Cannon attempted to gain a first down, the first series of the second half ended in a punt and the Vikings taking over at their own 44. Arnold, Coleman, Taylor, S. Depriest, Cannon and Johnson then held the Vikings on a more sustained drive which ended when Erwin intercepted a Viking pass and the War Eagles took over at their own 31.

This time as the third quarter wound down, the War Eagles mounted a more successful drive. Gentile was injured on the first down play at the 1:51 mark after picking up six yards. S. Depriest then ran for a first down at the 39, followed by runs of seven, two and two as the third quarter concluded. With first down at the 50, Gentile returned to pick up gains of four and five, the latter resulting in another injury time-out to help Gentile from the field. S. Depriest ran off tackle for a gain of four and then with the ball at the Viking 37, C. Depriest took the ball on a reverse and rushed into the end zone. Keen’s PAT was good and the War Eagles regained the lead 21-20 at the 10:08 mark of the final period.

Neither team was finished with scoring however. The fourth quarter found three more touchdowns, two for the War Eagles and one for the Vikings, added to the scoreboard.

The War Eagles defensive unit, led by S. Depriest and Lott stopped the Vikings on their next possession with the ball turned over on downs after Abercrombie and Gentile broke up a fourth down pass attempt.

The War Eagles made a quick trip to the end zone from the West Carroll 48. C. Depriest picked up 42 yards on a reverse play and then S. Depriest took the ball into the end zone from three yards out at the 7:24 mark. Keen was again perfect and the War Eagles improved their margin to 28-20.

Taylor kicked the ball to Brant Clifton who returned the ball 10 yards to the Viking 33. C. Depriest held a pass play to a gain of only three and a second was long and incomplete. A third down pass attempt was broken up by Johnson and a fourth down punt rolled out of bounds at the West Carroll 35.

Once again the War Eagles were soaring high. S. Depriest took the ball for gains of nine and 10 while C. Depriest took the ball for a gain of three. S. Depriest then took the ball for eight yards before a holding penalty moved the ball to the 44 as the War Eagles faced first and 19. Gentile gained 14 of those yards and then one more. Facing third and 11, Cannon moved on the quarterback sweep to score at the 2:32 mark. Keen was perfect for the night with his fifth PAT and the War Eagles now led 35-20.

Taylor kicked the ball to Hoffman, who returned the ball for a touchdown. A pair of unsportsmanlike calls against the War Eagles was followed by an incomplete two-point conversion attempt as Coleman held. With 2:05 mark, the score had been narrowed to 35-26.

The War Eagles were unable to move the ball in their brief possession and turned the ball over on downs while the Vikings maintained possession for a slightly longer period and that possession ended with an interception by Abercrombie in the end zone to complete the game.

The War Eagles improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in regional action with the non-regional victory over the Vikings. This week they will travel to Joe T. Herndon Stadium to meet the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Tigers in a regional game. The Tigers fell to 0-5 last Friday night with a loss to Camden and are still looking for that first victory. The Tigers are definitely an improved squad and have never lost to the War Eagles. However the combination of the Depriest brothers and Cannon and a deadly run, pass combination may lead to the War Eagles remaining undefeated in regional action. Fans for both teams can be certain of one fact; neither team will give up and both will provide a full 48 minutes of exciting prep football for those who attend. Game time will be 7:30 p.m.

The Chargers put up a very good defensive push in first half action, effectively blocking the big play. In fact, only one of the two touchdowns allowed during first half action came from the Mustangs offensive unit with the other coming on a pass interception early in the game.

Fans were kept somewhat in the dark with an inoperable scoreboard. Officials kept up with the time on the field while the announcer kept fans informed of the score as it changed. The end result was a fast-paced game with the ball kept mainly on the ground that ended in just over two hours.

Huntingdon won the toss but deferred their offensive opportunity until the second half. Westview received the kick and was stopped at its own 13 yard line. They quickly gained five yards as the Stangs were penalized for motion. However, the first down did not come easily. On first and five, Victor Evans tried to find a hole and found Adam Carter instead, gaining a single yard on the play. As Evans moved to the left, Carter, Stephen Wright and Mark Newsome found him for a loss of two. However on third down, Brannen Bishop took the ball left and out of bounds at the 38-yard line. Evans moved for no gain, thanks to Phillip Weathers and then a pass from quarterback Brandon Pate as good to Cory Davis for the first down at the 50. Markei Guy ran for three with Brian Nellett and Desmond Townes on the tackle and then Nellett found Guy in the backfield for a loss of six yards. On third down, Pate’s pass was intercepted by Scott Hampton who returned the ball 55 yards for the touchdown. The PAT by Newsome was good and the Stangs held a 7-0 advantage.

Westview was quick to answer the score. Jonathan Dean received the kick and was stopped by Chris Donald. On first down, Wright and Stephen Hillsman held the advance to a short gain, but on second down the pass was complete for a first down at the Westview 41. Guy reached the Huntingdon 20 before Weathers managed to catch him and then Hastins and Matt Spellings held for no gain. A pass to Jonathan Dean was then good for a touchdown and the PAT by C.W. West was good, tying the game at seven.

The Mustangs battled back for their only significant drive of the first quarter. Terrance Bell received the kick and returned the ball to Westview’s 39-yard line. A first down pass to Will White from Adam Parish resulted in a first down at the 23. Bell rushed right and reached the seven before he was stopped by Xavier Knight. Bell reached the one-yard line before he was stopped by Chris Wilson and Knight. It took two downs for Parish to finally enter the end zone, but Huntingdon improved their lead to 14-7 when Newsome’s kick was true.

Still in the first quarter of action, Evans received the kickoff and was held by a host of Stangs. After a gain of two yards on first down, Westview’s Guy took the ball left for a gain of two before he was stopped by Kenneth Porter. A motion call moved the ball back five yards and then ultimately a holding penalty returned the ball to the Stangs at their own 20-yard line.

Kenneth Hillsman moved the ball up the middle for a gain of one while Bell was held for a loss of four by Bishop as the first period came to an end. Parish reached back to pass the ball to Weathers, but it was incomplete and Nellett came in to punt the ball to Westview’s 36-yard line.

Guy was held by Hastings and Andrew Maddox to a gain of seven and he and Pate were able to move the ball for a couple of first downs; Guy on the ground and Pate with a pass to Dean. However the strong defensive efforts provided by Cale Belew, Townes, Hillsman, Carter, Nellett and Porter led to the punt with the ball downed at the Mustang 16-yard line. Hillsman had one tackle for a loss of two while Carter was responsible for a loss of nine.

Huntingdon began another assault for a score which ended in a failed field goal attempt. Bell ran three times for a first down with the third time the charm, leaving the Stangs with first down at the Chargers 32. Bell was held for a loss of two by Cordney Booker, but a pass to White brought a first down at the 22. Bell took the ball to the six before he was stopped by Josh Williams. The goal-line stand by Westview was effective as they held Bell to only one and one-half yards on three opportunities with Jordan Gardner and Williams making the initial contact. Facing fourth and four, Newsome came in to attempt a field goal which was wide. The Chargers took over on their own 20-yard line for only four plays before the half concluded.

During intermission, the home fans were treated to a stellar performance by both the Marching Charger band and the Marching Mustangs.

The second half began with the short kick going to Weathers and he was stopped by Bishop at the Huntingdon 34. Bell rushed up the middle for a first down at the Westview 17 before he was topped by Knight. On first and 10, Bell rushed into the end zone for the touchdown. A penalty moved the ball back and Newsome’s kick was wide, leaving the score at 20-7, Huntingdon.
The Chargers were limited to no gain on their next possession. Hastings and Carter held Guy to a gain of two while two passes were incomplete leaving the Chargers punting again and the ball rolling to the Huntingdon 30-yard line.

Once again Bell was on the move. He was stopped by Wilson at the Westview 19 and then was held for three yards by Evans and Booker. On second and seven, Parish looked for a receiver, found none and took the ball for a first down at the eight-yard line. Donald came in at tailback and took the ball for a gain of four and then entered the end zone for his first score of the night. He also ran the ball in for the two-point conversion to improve the Mustangs lead to 26-7.

Westview’s Guy received the ball and was stopped by Donald at the 19. A first down pass was intercepted by Townes and Huntingdon had the ball at the Chargers 23-yard line. A pass to White was through his hands and into the hands of Weathers who was stopped at the nine by Bishop. Donald then ran left for a gain of five with Knight and Booker on the stop. Donald was held to a gain of one by Booker and Williams. On third and three, Donald moved the ball up the middle and into the end zone. Newsome’s kick was good and the Stangs now led 35-7.

Guy received the kickoff and was stopped by Kenny Rich and Jorge Perez at the 29-yard line. GBuy was then held by Townes, Carter and Hillsman after a gain of a single yard. Pate was rushed and passed the ball long and incomplete. A motion call moved the ball back for a third and 14 and a pass to Guy actually brought a loss of five with the stop by Wright. Porter received the punt and was stopped at the 50-yard line by Wilson.

Weathers moved the ball for a yard and then Donald picked up a first down at the 40 as the third quarter came to an end. Townes moved the ball to the 23 before he was stopped by Williams. Donald picked up eight with Williams again on the tackle. Hillsman moved the ball to the 11 for the first down. Donald picked up six and then Hillsman moved the ball into the end zone for the touchdown. The kick was good and Huntingdon led 42-7.

The ball was kicked into the end zone, giving the Chargers the ball as their own 20. Guy was held for a loss of four by Nellett. A pass to Brandon Box was good for three with the stop by Newsome. A fumble was recovered by Pate, but resulted in a loss of three and the Chargers punted the ball to the Huntingdon 49.

Donald moved for a gain of two with Wilson and Hunter Nanney on the tackle while Josh Noles came in to moved the ball for a first down. Noles and quarterback Cody Baker continued to move the ball, picking up a pair of first downs before the game concluded with the Stangs winning 42-7.

This Friday night the Mustangs will host the Camden Lions in a regional contest while the Chargers will be on the road to meet the Dresden Lions, also a regional contest.

• Camden ends skid with Bruceton
• TCA bombs Gleason
• West Carroll, Bruceton, Huntingdon, McKenzie middle schools
• Hayes Moving up Career Ladder - Defense Does Job Again In 35-7 Win