H.S. FOOTBALL: Peabody beats McKenzie
McKENZIE – The football team from Trenton Peabody has made some history in 2014.
The Golden Tide may be writing the biggest part of their chapter in the program’s history in the next two weeks after Peabody defeated McKenzie 42-0 on Friday night to advance to the Class 2A semifinals.
It’s the first time for the Golden Tide to be in the state semifinals since 2007.
“We played a good game. I’m proud of them,” said Peabody head coach Ricky Woods after the win. “Our defense bent, but it didn’t break.
“That’s one of the marks of a good football team is being able to do that.”
McKenzie had chances to score early on, but penalties and turnovers kept the Rebels from getting on the scoreboard.
Kendrick Malone, who plays quarterback and defensive back, had two interceptions to preserve the shutout. One of the interceptions was a pick-six that went nearly the entire length of the field in the fourth quarter after the clock was already running and the finish past the point of being in doubt.
“We just had to do what we had to do to keep them from scoring,” Malone said. “We knew they were going to do a lot to keep us from running the ball, so had to move the ball around however we could.
“I wish I could’ve taken both interceptions to the house, but we got after the ball all game. That’s what we wanted to come out and do.”
One of those ways was for Malone to throw to Keyvon Goodwin. That strategy worked as Goodwin finished with two touchdown receptions.
“We had to be aggressive and played our hearts out, and we came out and got the W,” Goodwin said. “They knew what we came to do and took away a lot of our pass routes, but we did what we had to do.”
McKenzie’s defense kept the game close in the first half as the Rebels went into intermission down 14-0.
But Peabody’s ability to make big plays allowed the Golden Tide to score quickly.
“It took the wind out of our sails,” said McKenzie head coach Wade Comer. “If you don’t score you can’t get any hope going, and we had our opportunities in first half but couldn’t ring the bell.”
Comer said he’s proud of everything the Rebels have accomplished this season and is hopeful for the near future for the program.
“Everything’s looking up with the experience we gained this year,” Comer said. “We had a good season and lost four games with three of them probably to state champions.”
Peabody running back Brandon Johnson and head coach Ricky Woods both celebrated the win along with a birthday. For Johnson it was his 17th birthday, meaning he was 10 years old the last time Peabody was in the state semifinals.
“I’m glad to get in and keep playing another week,” Johnson said. “This is a good birthday.
“We were ready if they stacked the box on us because of me and Kendrick, so we made the plays we needed to. Now we play again next week.”
Brandon Shields, 425-9751
More inside and online
• Crockett’s season ends, C2
• Stats and results from games that were called in, C2
• Photo galleries and videos from selected games on jacksonsun.com.