By Jim Steele steele@mckenziebanner.com

DRESDEN - McKenzie had been playing hard all season long, but had little to show for it en route to a 3-3 start.
All they needed was a few good breaks and some success against a good team. Friday night, it came together for the struggling Rebels.
McKenzie held off two late Dresden incursions and came away with a thrilling 29-28 non-regional victory Friday night.
Dresden had two late chances. The Lions rallied from a 14-point deficit to draw within one with :19 seconds remaining. DHS quarterback Levi Odle scored from the 1 and the Lions opted to go for two and the victory. McKenzie seniors Ben Boyd and Cody Cook had other ideas. Cook slowed down the runner and Boyd stuffed him just inches short of the goal line.
Celebration ensued, but the game was far from over. McKenzie could not recover the onside kick and the Lions still had life. Dresden managed to move the ball down to the 33 which was on the edge of the envelope of DHS kicker Ryan Nanney's range. Nanney booted three 50-yard field goals in pre-game practice and lined up to boot what would be the game-winning kick.
Nanney's kick had plenty of leg but landed just wide right.
The Rebels had finally won a close game.
"Every win is a big one, but this one is huge," said an elated Wade Comer, MHS football coach. "We lost two close games and we finally one one. I'm so proud of the kids because they finally can see what it's like to be on the other side of one of these games."
Credit Dresden coach Craig Rogers for rolling the dice with the two-point try instead of attempting the kick to send the game into overtime.
"I was trying to give our kids a chance to win," he said. "That's football."
The Rebels put forth a good overall effort and showed intensity from the time they took the field for warm-ups. Even the intensity on the kickoff coverage was good. Even though the Lions took a brief 7-0 lead, thanks to 1-yard TD run by Matt Hewett, capping a six-play, 36-yard drive at the 7:36 mark of the second. The Rebels responded.
MHS senior Randy Lacey returned the ensuing kick to his own 39 and the Rebels responded with a six-play, 61-yard drive. Junior quarterback Drew Hayes called his own number from the 1 and scored with 4:29 to play. On the conversion, Hayes hit a wide-open Greg Pruitt for the deuce and McKenzie led 8-7.
Hayes had another good night, completing 14-23 passes for 223 yards and two TDs with an interception. His primary target was Clint Anderson, who had a career night. He hauled in seven catches for 116 yards.
Hewett raced 46 yards for the Lions' next score. Odle hit Adam Clements for the two-point conversion and Dresden led 15-8 with 2:37 to play in the half.
McKenzie answered with a six-play, 71-yard drive that covered 1:12. Hayes hit Pruitt for a 10-yard TD aerial at the 1:25 mark. John Kermit Laughrey hit the first of three PAT kicks and the Rebels tied the game at 15 heading into the dressing room.
As the second half began, McKenzie came out smoking...for a while.
The Rebels scored on their second drive of the half, a five-play, 42-yard drive. Sophomore O.C. Melton kept the Rebel drive alive when he pulled down a one-handed grab for a 12-yard gain and a first down at the Lion 12. On the next play, Cook rambled in for the score. With 4:50 to play in the third, McKenzie led 22-15.
Not only was Anderson catching passes from Hayes, he had some success grabbing lobs from Dresden's Odle. His pick at the 3:24 mark set up McKenzie's next score. Six plays and 36 yards after the interception, Hayes found Lacey for a 9-yard TD strike with :26 to play in the third. McKenzie held a firm 29-15 lead.
It was firm for a time. Dresden rallied with two scores in the fourth quarter. Odle torched the Rebels for a 49-yard TD strike to Justin Davidson with 9:42 to play in the fourth. Nanney added the PAT and the Lions were within seven, 29-22.
The Rebels marched all the way to the Lion 7 with 2:38 to play and lost a fumble. Odle roasted the Rebs again, this time on a 62-yard pass to Davidson, setting up Odle's score. Of course, the try for two failed.
"We stayed focused all game long," said Comer. "We've been in games like this, so we were used to it. Our young kids made plays when we needed it."
Intensity throughout the game made a difference.
"The kids were more intense and they wanted to win and came out intent on winning," Comer said.
Dresden managed a few big plays and totaled 302 yards to McKenzie's 297, but the defense didn't break.
"Dresden has a good offense and their kids block well," said Comer. "Our defense stepped up and played well tonight."
Cook and Shawn Luna each had a pair of sacks to lead the Rebel defense. Hayes had his first defensive tackle of the season.
Hewett had 12 carries for 87 yards to lead the Lions. Cook had 18 carries for 89 touchdowns. Odle was 7-14 for 146 yards passing. Davidson had three catches for 117 yards.
The Rebels, 4-3, 1-2 in 6-2A, face a do-or-die challenge this week when Chester County comes to town. The Rebels need a victory over the Eagles to qualify for the playoffs. Dresden sinks to 4-3 on the season.

SUMMARY

M 0 15 14 0
D 0 15 0 13

SECOND QUARTER
D - 7:36 Matt Hewett 1 run, Ryan Nanney kick. 6 plays, 36 yards, 3:24.
M - 4:29 Drew Hayes 1 run, Greg Pruitt pass from Hayes. 6 plays 71 yards, 3:01
D - 2:37 Hewett 46 run, Adam Clements from Levi Odle. 5 plays, 69 yards, 1:52.
M - 1:25 Pruitt 10 pass from Hayes. John Kermit Laughrey kick. 7 plays, 61 yards, 1:12.
THIRD QUARTER
M - 4:50 Cody Cook 12 run, Laughrey kick. 5 plays, 42 yards, 1:13.
M - :26 Randy Lacey 9 pass from Hayes, Laughrey kick. 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:58.
FOURTH QUARTER
D - 9:24 Justin Davidson 49 pass from Odle. Nanney kick. 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:34.
D - :19 Odle 1 run, run failed. 8 plays, 85 yards, 2:12.

M D
Final score 29 28
First downs 14 10
Yds. rushing 26-74 46-156
Yds. passing 223 146
Comp.-att.-int. 14-23-1 7-14-1
Total yds. 297 302
Total plays 49 60
Third down 3-6 6-13
Fourth down 0-0 1-3
Red zone 4-5 2-2
Fumbles-lost 4-2 2-1
Punts-avg. 3-31 3-27
Penalties 10-53 6-55
Possession 21:40 26:20

By Pat Cole pcole@mckenziebanner.com

Friday’s classic match-up between Huntingdon’s Mustangs and Milan’s Bulldogs was one of thrills, mistakes and lapses of memory at times on both sides of the field. For fans, the excitement produced by two of the premiere teams in Class AA filled the air from the opening kickoff to the final buzzer. Although the Stangs Chris Donald broke out early with two big runs and two huge touchdowns, the Stangs were unable to convert on PATs. The Bulldogs were slow to get started, but once they did, they were almost unstoppable and through a series of onsides kicks, not only caught the Stangs, but passed them on the scoreboard and held on for the victory. To the Stangs credit, they made a goal line stand, holding Milan at the one-half yard line. But that stand had its downside as well, leading to a safety only two plays later.
The Dogs won the toss and elected to receive the opening offensive possession. Daylan Walker gained four yards before he was stopped by Brandon Snyder and Hunter Hastings. Walker was then stopped for a three-yard loss and a third down pass was incomplete. A bobbled snap led to the ball being downed at the Milan 20.
The Stangs offensive unit came out on the field, the ball was handed to Donald and moments later, he had rushed the 20 yards to pay dirt and Huntingdon led 6-0. However, the PAT attempt by Scott Hampton was wide to the right, leaving the Stangs without the additional point at the 10:25 mark.
Eric Coleman received the kickoff and was stopped by J.P. Powell and Snyder at the 16. Although the Dogs got a first down at the 28 on a run by Coleman, after Powell and Jerry McClerkin made that key stop, the Dogs were held to only five more yards as Drew Kelley and Tony Nellett led the defensive attack. A second down pass attempt was broken up by Boo Weathers. Facing fourth and five, Clay Mallard came out to punt and the ball was dead at the Stangs 32-yard line.
Once again, the Stangs were quick to strike. Donald took the ball up the middle and at the 8:10 mark; he reached the end zone for a second time to put Huntingdon up 12-0. Quarterback Cody Crocker held for the two-point conversion and was stopped short.
The Dogs got another first down on their third possession, but again the Stangs held, this time with an interception by Hampton. Nellett, Desmond Townes and Karl Butler led the defensive attack and after an incomplete pass, the Dogs again went to the air as Hampton came in for the interception and returned the ball to the Stangs 48. Unfortunately, on the handoff from center to Crocker, the ball came loose and Milan recovered at the Stangs 34.
With only 34 yards to pay dirt, the Dogs were rejuvenated and led by Walker for the first down at the 21, Micah Blount moved the ball to the 11 and after a gain of nine by Coleman, Blount moved into the end zone at the 4:43 mark. Townes, Kelley, Hampton and McClerkin led the defensive attack. Mallard kicked the PAT and the score was narrowed to 12-7.
Kegan Ball received the kickoff and returned the ball to the 30-yard line. Donald was held at the line of scrimmage and then picked up four. Weathers moved the ball to the 41 for first down and then up the middle for one more. A pass to Weathers was good for a yard and a pass to Hampton was incomplete as the Stangs punted to Walker at the Dogs 26.
The Dogs possession was short-lived as they concluded the first quarter and moved into the second. Nellett, held the gain to three and Snyder to four. Walker moved to the 43 for the first down before he was stopped by Hastings as the first quarter concluded. Townes and Hampton held Walker to six and a second down pass was batted down by Snyder and then caught by Cody Baker for the interception. He was stopped at the Stangs 32 where Huntingdon took over.
With a good block by Marcus Beal, Weathers took the ball right and gained eight yards. Crocker held for the first down at the 44. Weathers then moved the ball to the Dogs 39. Weathers was stopped for no gain, but a pass to Hampton was good for a first down at the 28. With a good block by Crocker, Weathers reached the three-yard line before he was brought down. Donald gained one and then moved the ball into the end zone on second down at the 8:43 mark. Crocker and Maurice Williams provided the blocks and Weathers moved into the end zone for the two-point conversion as Huntingdon took a 20-7 advantage.
Milan gained two first downs and moved the ball to the Huntingdon 18 before they were ultimately stopped on good defensive moves by Hastings, Snyder, Williams, Townes, Brent Taylor, Nellett and Hampton.
The Stangs took over on downs and were held to a gain of only nine yards and elected to punt. This time, the Dogs were again on the prowl and made it to the end zone as time slowly ticked off the clock. The nine-play drive ended with a pass to Jeremy Conley from quarterback Lydale Wells at the 29-second mark. The PAT was wide to the right and Huntingdon maintained a 20-13 lead. Crocker took a knee to end the first half.
During intermission, the Marching Mustangs and Marching Bulldogs each performed their competitive show for the home crowd.
With the Stangs to receive the first offensive opportunity of the second half, the Dogs resorted to onsides kicks and did so successfully. The first was recovered by the Dogs at the Huntingdon 49. A first down holding penalty moved the ball back to the Dogs 41 and a series of passes were all incomplete. On the punt, the ball came down and bounced against Weathers leg and he and Hampton both scrambled to hold possession for Huntingdon.
With the ball at their own 32, the Stangs seemed destined to score again. Donald moved the ball to the 48, Weathers gained five and Donald made it to the Dogs 41. Donald was held to a yard and Weathers took the ball right for no gain. Crocker moved back to pass on third and nine and Walker was called for pass interference, moving the ball to the Milan 26. Donald picked up five and a pass to Donald brought a first down at the 10. Weathers was held to a yard and a pass was incomplete. Facing third and nine, Crocker moved back to pass and the ball was intercepted by Jeremy Smith and returned for several yards.
However a holding penalty put the Dogs on their own six-yard line where they buckled down and moved the ball once again to the end zone. The ten-play drive ended at the 2:18 mark when Blount scored from one-yard out. After a motion penalty on the Stangs, the Dogs decided to go for the two-point conversion and Walker easily scored to give Milan their first lead of the game, 21-20.
Once again they called an onsides kick and recovered at the Huntingdon 30. This time after six plays which concluded the third quarter and three to begin the fourth, Blount was held at the one-half yard line by the whole defensive line and the Stangs took over.
After Crocker was able to take the ball near the two-yard line, Bell was handed the ball and hit hard by Coleman for a safety. Huntingdon now trailed 23-20.
After the free kick, the Dogs took over. Despite the efforts of McClerkin, Hampton, Cliff Bush, Nellett and Hastings, the Dogs needed only four plays before Coleman reached the end zone on a 20-yard run. The PAT was good and Milan now led 30-20.
The Stangs were not finished however and although the Dogs tried another onsides kick, Powell received and held for the Stangs. A block in the back penalty moved the ball to the Milan 45 where the Stangs began an eight-play drive to pay dirt. Weathers gained five and two failed passes ended with a pass interference call which moved the ball to the Milan 25. A pass to Powell was good for eight, Donald moved to the 15 and then to the 12. A pass to Hampton was good for four and then Weathers moved left and into the end zone at the 6:35 mark. Donald reached the end zone for two and Milan now led 30-28.
Donzelle Bell received, fumbled and recovered for the Dogs.
Once again the Dogs needed little time, only five plays to reach the end zone. Blount scored at the 3:58 mark on a 30-yard run. The kick was good and Milan led 37-28.
The Stangs had one final opportunity to attempt a comeback. Baker received the kick at the 37. Crocker was sacked for a loss of 10, followed by a pass to Weathers who reached the 48 for the first down. Donald moved right for nine and Crocker was sacked for a loss of 24. A pass to Weathers moved the ball to the 32 for the first down. Facing first and 10, Crocker again took to the air, but the ball was intercepted by Smith to end the Stangs hopes. After a penalty gave Milan a first down, they took a delay of game penalty and then a knee to end the contest.
This Friday night the Stangs will travel to Parsons to take on the Riverside Panthers in a regional contest. This game is a must if the Stangs hope to remain in the lead of Region 6-AA.

By Ernie Smothers Staff Reporter

The Tigers coaching staff were disappointed in a lackluster performance at West Carroll the previous Friday night and coaches Tim Gilmer and Chuck Adams challenged their team to compete with intensity. It worked and a determined and forceful Central Tiger squad handily defeated the Greenfield Yellowjackets 39-7 in a physical regional contest at Harris Field.
Central was fueled by stellar offensive line play and was led by Orey Willis (16 rushes for 130 yards and two touchdowns) along with brilliant passing by Joe Wortham (three touchdown passes) and scoring receptions by Kerry Hunt (two touchdowns) and Nick Bryant (one touchdown). Defensively, Hunt’s 10 tackles led the Tiger attack. Strong play by Detris Willis, Lucas Young, Matt Floyd, Chaz Barmore and freshman Alex Matlock effectively shut down the Yellowjacket offense. Greenfield’s Jason Vandershelden, Justin Lyles, Aaron Conley, Jonathan Grooms and Chris Hankerson fought hard on both sides of the ball for the Jackets.
Greenfield was unable to move the ball on its first offensive possession and punted to the Tiger 35.
Central’s offense, shut down by aggressive play from Conley and Lyles were forced to punt as well.
Greenfield’s Vandershelden fumbled the punt reception and Barmore recovered for the Tigers on the 24. Wasting no time, quarterback Wortham delivered a scoring strike to Hunt on the next play at the 6:50 mark. Young’s PAT attempt failed and the Tigers led 6-0.
Yellowjacket running backs Vandersheldon and Lyles hammered at the Tigers on the next drive and pushed the ball across mid-field into Tiger territory. A face mask penalty against Central, the first of four, moved the ball to the 10. At the 2:07 mark, Vandershelden followed strong blocking for a six-yard score. Chad Paschall’s PAT kick was good and the Yellowjackets took the lead over Central 7-6.
Blue lightning struck on the ensuing kickoff when Willis fielded the ball at the 10, followed impressive blocking to mid-field and blew past defenders enroute to a 90-yard return for the touchdown at the 1:49 mark. Wortham’s two-point conversion run was good and Central recaptured the lead 14-7.
Central’s defense roared to life on the Yellowjackets next possession. Impressive hits by Josh Oatsvall, Barmore and an impressive sack by D. Willis forced the Jacket to punt on fourth and 25, with the ball downed at the 28.
Aided by an impressive front line surge, Central running backs Chad Jordan and O. Willis marched across midfield into Yellowjacket territory. Greenfield defenders Hankerson and A. Conley provided big hits, but were unable to slow the Tiger advance for long. At the 6:29 mark, Willis escaped the grasp of Adam Ledezema, cut across the grain and raced 18 yards for the score. Young’s PAT attempt was no good and Central now led 20-7.
On the Yellowjackets next possession, the Tigers’ Ryan McMackin, Jeremy Lowe and D. Willis applied full pressure, forcing Greenfield to go three and out, punting the ball to the Tiger 41.
Central’s Wortham passed the ball to Hunt for a first down on the 25. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty against the Tigers moved the ball back to the 40. Wortham completed a pass to Josh Irwin for a gain of 15. On fourth and 10, Wortham passed to Young, who achieved the first down with a strong second effort. On the next play at the 1:55 mark, Willis raced 14 yards for the score. Central’s two-point conversion attempt failed and the Tigers led 26-7 at intermission.
The Marching Tigers delivered an inspired performance for the fans during intermission.
Central’s first possession of the second half ended after three plays due to a fumble recovery by Greenfield at the 47.
The Yellowjackets, who had been unable to move the ball successfully on the ground, looked for an aerial attack. Quarterback Jacob Perkins first pass was intercepted by O. Willis and returned for a score. A block in the back penalty against the Tigers during the return nullified the score and placed the ball at the 36. Wortham threw an impressive 30 yard pass to Hunt to move the ball quickly down the field. On the next play, at the 8:12 mark, Wortham threw a 23-yard strike to Hunt for the touchdown. Young’s PAT was good and Central now led 33-7.
Lyles exhilarated the hometown crowd with a kickoff return dash down to the 28 before being overtaken and tackled by Hunt. Central’s defense committed a pass interference infraction which moved the ball to the 18. Central defenders Michael Hargrove, D. Willis and Barmore forced the Jackets to pass on third and eight at the 16. Hunt intercepted for the Tigers at the one and returned the ball to the 46.
O. Willis carried the ball twice and pushed the ball to the 20. Jacket Jonathan Grooms stopped the Tiger threat with an interception of Wortham’s pass at the two-yard line.
The Tiger defense remained strong and led by Hunt, Barmore and Hargrove, forced the Jackets to punt after three plays.
Willis, following impressive blocking up front, rushed three times consecutively, advancing the ball to the 24. At the 24-second mark of the third period, Wortham connected with Bryant for a scoring strike. The two-point conversion attempt failed as Central took a 39-7 lead.
Tiger special teams’ player Matt Lane drilled Vandershelden on the kickoff return and forced a fumble. Jacket Brett Reynolds recovered the ball at the 15. Jordan sacked Perkins and forced the Jackets to punt on fourth down.
Greenfield’s defense, led by Brent Marcus and Richard Lane, shut the Tigers down and forced them to punt as well.
Greenfield followed with an impressive drive with strong runs by J. Grooms and ended with Tiger Ryan Hilliard’s fumble recovery at the 24.
The Tigers improved to 3-4 overall and 3-1 in regional action and will square off against the Lake County Falcons in a regional battle. Homecoming activities are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m., prior to the 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The Falcons 4-2 overall and 2-1 in regional play have been impressive this year and will be a test for the Tigers on homecoming. Greenfield travels to West Carroll to take on the 6-1 overall War Eagles in another big regional game. The War Eagles are 3-0 in regional action and lead the Region 8-A teams for a second straight year as week eight of the regular season begins.

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