McKenzie Beats Clay County For First State Title In School History
By Reece Britt
What many thought would be the most lopsided game of the weekend, turned out to be more interesting than anything, for most of three quarters. After last year's heartbreaking loss in the State Championship game at the hands of South Pittsburgh, this season for McKenzie was one of revenge. They got just that. The Rebels defeated Clay County 34-14 en route to their first ever State Title in school history.
Coach Wade Comer, McKenzie’s head coach, stated “After last year this win means everything, especially for those kids. What they went through last year coming up a game short, and to come back and finish it, I’m so proud of them.”
Comer has coached for 18 seasons with the Rebels and he finally notches a State Championship into his belt.
Star wide receiver Zavier Webber had a key role to play through the air catching only three passes for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns. Just like his head coach this win stood out above all the rest. Webber claims “this isn’t it, the coaching staff is good and the younger players are good, so success is going to come.”
Jackson Cassidy, the MVP of the game, went 7-14 through the air for 168 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 9 carries for 45 yards to the stat sheet. Cassidy arguably was more impactful on the defensive side with 9 total tackles.
It was not all that easy for McKenzie tonight, after scoring 14 unanswered points on back to back possessions, Clay County marched the ball 75 yards for a touchdown and added a two point conversion to make the score 14-8. With 2:28 seconds left in the half McKenzie added another score and kept adding on throughout the second half.
McKenzie finishes off their undefeated season with some gold hardware, hopefully making the long trip back a little more enjoyable.
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