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TSSAA Class 2A State Football Playoffs

Rebels Crush Cardinals to Advance to Quarterfinals

Posted

McKENZIE (November 13) — The McKenzie High School Rebels hosted Adamsville Friday in the second round of the TSSAA Class 2A State Football Playoffs. It was a rematch of the teams’ final game of the regular season two weeks ago. After losing a nail-biter in overtime in that road game, the Rebels avenged the loss in a big way with a 31-0 home win to advance to the quarterfinals.
McKenzie won the coin toss and deferred possession to the second half.
The Cardinals were pinned deep at their own 7 and went three-and-out. Chaz Sanders punted, and Rebel Will Latimer made a fair catch at the Adamsville 40.
Rebel quarterback Jackson Cassidy threw incomplete on first down, but the Cardinals were flagged for pass interference to make it first down at the 25. Cassidy kept and the McKenzie offensive line pushed the pile for eleven yards. On the next play, Cassidy’s pass was tipped and intercepted by Cardinal Colton Howard at the 19.
Adamsville earned one first down before punting again. Latimer made the fair catch at the Rebel 25.
The Rebels went three-and-out. Zach Aird punted, and Sanders made a good return to the McKenzie 30.
Cardinal quarterback Lathan Morris threw incomplete, then A.J. Finley was stopped for a loss by Rebels Jordan Woods and Chris Barnett. The game was then delayed several minutes as a dog ran loose on the field. When play resumed, Morris threw to Howard for 22 yards down to the 9. Finley then ran twice for no net gain. On third-and-goal, Morris threw an interception to Latimer, who made the catch while falling out of bounds at the 1.
Rebel Marquez Taylor started the drive with an 18-yard gain, then repeated for 15. Two plays later, on third-and-seven, Cassidy scrambled and threw to Zay Webber for eleven yards and a first down. Taylor ran for another eleven to move the chains again as the first frame ended with no score. Cassidy started the second with a keeper for ten yards. Three plays later, going for it on fourth-and-seven, Cassidy connected with Webber but short of the first down.
The Cardinals took over at their 22 and went three-and-out. Latimer received the punt near midfield.
Cassidy kept for 12 yards, then threw incomplete to Logan Lyles. Adamsville was called for pass interference to make it first down at the 26. Taylor moved the chains again on two tries, the Lyles ran for three. Taylor then went ten yards for a touchdown. Aird kicked the point-after, and McKenzie led 7-0 with seven minutes to play in the first half.

The Rebel defense forced another three-and-out and received the punt at the 36.
Taylor ran for four, then Cassidy kept for 27. A bad snap led to a seven-yard loss, then Taylor gained six. Cassidy then pitched it to Lyles for 16 yards, and Taylor followed with an 18-yard touchdown. Aird kicked the PAT, and McKenzie led 14-0 with 2:36 remaining before intermission.
Adamsville started with good position at the Cardinal 42, but Cassidy intercepted a deep pass and returned it to the 35.
Taking over with two minutes on the clock, Cassidy threw to Lyles for eight, then to Caleb Gill for 17, Latimer for four and Taylor for eight. At the minute mark, the QB threw to Lyles for a short gain, then threw incomplete to the end zone. Taylor gained four to bring up fourth-and-four at the 22. Cassidy kept for 12 yards and a first-and-goal, then scrambled for the ten-yard touchdown with two seconds left. Aird’s kick made it 21-0.
Time expired during Adamsville’s return.
McKenzie received the second-half kickoff and started at the far 37. Gill dragged a pile of defenders for a 15-yard gain, then Taylor gained eight. Gill went six for a first down, then Cassidy scrambled for a loss. He kept again for a short gain, then threw to Latimer for 15 yards. Taylor had three straight carries for gains, then Cassidy kept for a short loss. He threw incomplete to Lyles to bring up fourth-and-goal at the 6. Aird kicked a field goal to give the Rebels a 24-0 lead with six minutes to play in the third.
The Cardinals managed one first down before punting.
Taking over at the 20, Cassidy kept for 16. Taylor ran for 12, then Cassidy kept for eight. Taylor lost a couple, then Cassidy threw to Lyles for a first down as the quarter ended. Gill started the final frame with a four-yard carry, then repeated for six. Cassidy tossed to Taylor for 13 yards, then Gill ran for seven. Cassidy threw to Taylor for a loss, then kept for an eight-yard score. Aird completed a perfect night on kicks, and McKenzie led 31-0 with nine minutes remaining in the contest.
Adamsville started at midfield and earned two first downs. On first-and-ten at the 14, a fumble by Morris was jumped on by Rebel Rashad McCreary at the 9.
McKenzie kept the ball on the ground for three first downs to run out the last five minutes and seal the win.
The Rebels (8-3) travel to Peabody (11-0) for Friday’s quarterfinals. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the GoFan website on Tuesday. A link will be posted on the McKenzie High School Facebook page when it becomes live. For more information, call MHS at 731-352-2133.