McKenzie falls to Millry
BY SHEA ODOM
The Greenville Standard
The 10-1 McKenzie Tigers hit the road last week for round two of the AHSAA playoffs against the 7-4 Millry Wildcats. The Tigers battled and laid it all on the line, but ultimately fell short in a heartbreaking loss, 35-28.
Despite winning the coin toss and receiving the kick off, McKenzie could not capitalize on the opening drive.
The Tiger defense hit the green fired up and ready for the Wildcat offense. Tiger Brody Odom made a big stop early in the first quarter preventing any yardage gained.
Millry had to make a hard push through the Tiger defensive line, straight to the end zone. Following a field goal, the Wildcats led 7-0 with 8:26 in the first quarter.
McKenzie attempted to adjust to the Wildcats offense but was unable to find any success. Millry closed the first half of the game leading 21-0.
The Tigers came out of the locker room at half time on fire.
Tiger Grayson Blackburn, along with a host of Tigers, stopped any yardage for the Wildcat offense in the opening drive of the third quarter.
As the McKenzie offense lined back up for redemption, Tiger Quay Jackson landed a pass to Tiger Malachi Tolbert.
Tiger Jack Locklear made a huge block, clearing the path for Tolbert straight to the end zone. Millry continued to lead the Tigers 21-8 with 8:31 on the clock in the third quarter.
Tiger Lajayvius Crittenden intercepted the next play, setting the Tigers up in the red zone.
Jackson dashed in the end zone on a quarterback keeper and scored a Tiger touchdown. McKenzie closed the gap 21-16 with 6:55 left in the third.
Tiger Noah Peterson snagged an interception and scored for McKenzie early in the fourth. The Tigers inched closer 28-22.
Tigers Skylar Sanders leapt for a short pass to the end zone late in the fourth for one last Tiger touchdown.
McKenzie completed the season with a record of 10-2.
Head coach Brian Bradford stated, “The game last night didn’t end the way we wanted it to but I couldn’t be more proud of this team! When everything that could go wrong did, they kept fighting and showed their heart and character that they have displayed all year. To be able to watch the change in these young men this year has been nothing but amazing! I’m truly honored to have been able to coach them this year.”
I was at the game. The town of McKenzie filled the visitor side to capacity. It was a great game and these boys from Butler County represented at the highest level. Millry also played well and hosted a great night of football and community. Hats off to MIllry and their fans. My family has been in Mckenzie for well over 100 years and we rarely get the chance to show the world what a special place this town and county is. That night our fans, coaches, cheerleaders and most of all our players showed others McKenzie is a town of winners and a town of good people. McKenzie is a good school with good people and I ahve known many to go forward after high school to achieve great things. It is a town with much good history imho.