McKenzie scorches Keith Bears
BY SHEA ODOM
The Greenville Standard
The (9-1) McKenzie Tigers hosted the (5-5) Keith Bears for the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs at Williams-Vickery Field for a passionate four quarters of play.
The Bears were unable to take control of the game and the Tigers clinched a 50-6 win.
McKenzie won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick-off. After pushing the ball downfield near the end zone, the Bears intercepted a pass in the end zone with 8:38 on the clock in the first quarter.
Keith made a hard push to capitalize on the ball possession but was unable to break through the Tiger defensive line.
Tiger Ayden Willsey, with a push from the offensive line, quickly found a way to the end zone following change of possession and scored for the first Tiger touchdown. The two point conversion was successful and McKenzie led 8-0 late in the first quarter.
The Bears lined back up to attempt redemption but Tiger Noah Peterson made a momentum setting 68-yard interception and scored. Skylar Sanders ran in the two point conversion and the Tigers widened the lead 16-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The McKenzie defense set fire to the green after Tiger Lajayvius Crittenden blocked a Keith punt and scored another Tiger touchdown. The Tigers completed the following two point conversion making the score 24-0 early in the second quarter.
Keith attempted to recover field position with a long, completed pass down field. But then, Tiger Grayson Blackburn made a big stop for the defense, halting all offensive momentum and the Bears turned it over on downs.
Tiger Quay Jackson sailed a pass to the hands of Sanders for a long run down field straight to the end zone and McKenzie continued to dominate the lead 30-0 with 7:05 in the second quarter.
The Bears then made another hard attempt for offensive gain, but the Tiger defense could not be moved. McKenzie closed the first half with a 50-0 lead.
Keith returned from halftime recharged, scoring for the Bears with 5:36 in the third quarter. Despite the brief momentum recovery, the Tigers demanded domination and did not allow any more end zone visits.
Willsey closed the evening with two touchdowns. Quay Jackson closed with three touchdowns, four 2-point conversions, and one interception.
Sanders closed with one touchdown and two 2- point conversions. Levi Lee closed with one 2-point conversion.
Jay Jackson closed with one touchdown and one 2-point conversion. Malachi Tolbert completed one touchdown.
The now 10-1 Tigers will travel to meet the 7-4 Millry Wildcats this Friday night in Millry with a 7 p.m. kick off.
McKenzie head coach Brian Bradford said of the game, “It was a great team win last night. I felt like we were in control on all phases of the game. We are excited to travel to Millry this Friday for the second round of playoffs.”
