McKenzie High School’s football team came tantalizingly close to winning a state football championship last year, surrendering a 14-0 first quarter eventually to succumb 24-21 to South Pittsburg.
There were a lot of reminders about the unfinished business that awaited the Rebels when they returned to the weight room back in January. Thanks to a dominant 34-0 victory over Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering (MASE) at Melrose High School Friday night, McKenzie will get a chance to atone for the heartbreaking loss last year.
The Rebels, 14-0, will be the designated home team in Chattanooga this Friday against 13-1 Clay County. The Bulldogs beat Coalfield 40-33 in their semifinal game. Kickoff in Chattanooga is 2 p.m.
McKenzie took control early with its big-play offense and muzzled the host Phoenix with stifling defense enroute to its third state final appearance. As has been often the case this year, the Rebels were economical on offense. They snapped the ball 36 times for 241 yards. But the bigger story is the fact that the defense limited a big, fast, and physical MASE team to 103 yards on 44 snaps.
McKenzie forced two interceptions and enjoyed six plays of negative yardage as MASE never got into any kind of offensive rhythm. Meanwhile, McKenzie’s offense did just enough to build a lead and then make it insurmountable.
The Rebels got on the board with 7:29 to play in the first quarter after a seven-play, 53-yard drive. Marquez Taylor scored from the 1 to end the drive. Zach Aird kicked the first of four extra points and the Rebels led 7-0.
McKenzie didn’t take long to ring the bell again. Two possessions later, Mr. Football finalist Jackson Cassidy picked off a pass at the 4:45 mark. He ran twice for 11 yards each time and scored on the last play from the 11 with 3:57 left in the first frame. The run failed, but McKenzie led 13-0.
The defense got extra stingy on the next series. Ty Anderson earned a sack for a loss of five, then there was another negative play, two penalties and a punt for MASE. From there, Cassidy located Taylor for 21 yards and a score with 2:26 to play. Aird’s kick boosted McKenzie solidly in front 20-0. That was the score going into the second frame.
MASE appeared to have a touchdown, but it was nullified by a holding call. MASE would never again get so close. Two plays after the penalty, Rashad McCreary picked off a pass, ending the potential drive.
With 6:44 to play, the Rebels got the ball back and journeyed 75 yards in eight plays for the score. Cassidy broke 39 yards with 1:50 to play in the half for a 27-0 advantage. That’s where the half ended.
McKenzie put this one to rest with 7:32 to play in the third frame. MHS marched eight plays and 75 yards for a touchdown. Taylor scored from the 4, after his 25-yard burst set up the scoring jaunt. Aird’s PAT vaulted McKenzie to a 34-0 lead, which meant running clock the rest of the way. MASE was done and the Rebels had punched their ticket to Chattanooga.
Cassidy had eight carries for 82 yards and two TDs, was 3/5 passing with another TD and he had nine tackles. Taylor carried seven times for 77 yards, ran for two scores, and caught one.
McKenzie will play in its third state championship game on Dec. 2. The Rebels first went to the title round in 2007, bowing to a very athletic South Pittsburg team 52-20. In 2021, the Rebels, as mentioned, led 14-0 early, but South Pittsburg rallied for a 24-21 decision.
Clay County, 13-1, does not have any common opponents with McKenzie. The Bulldogs’ lone loss was a 20-19 setback to Westmoreland on Sept. 23.
McKenzie’s defeat of MASE marks its seventh appearance in the state semifinals going back to 2001 (2001-02, 2007-10, 2021-22). We all wish them luck on bringing home the state championship!
