Florala downs McKenzie

Published 12:36 am Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Florala Wildcats routed the Mckenzie Tigers 58-14 in a Class 1A Region 2 match-up Friday night in Florala.

MHS put up the first points of the game with a six-yard TD run from Sawyer Kendrick. The Tigers successfully converted the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

The Wildcats answered with a scoring drive of their own as Austin “Bullet” West put one in from 13 yards out. The Wildcats failed to convert and trailed 8-6 early in the first quarter.

MHS put together another promising drive the next series but the Wildcats defense held strong, stopping the Tigers on a fourth down play to regain possession of the ball.

MHS forced an interception from Wildcats’ quarterback Austin McNeill but McNeill quickly redeemed himself as he picked off a pass from the Tigers’ quarterback and took it 38 yards for the TD. The two-point conversion was good, giving the Wildcats a lead they never let go of.

The Wildcats took over on offense following a MHS fumble and McNeill added another TD, this time going 47 yards weaving in and out of traffic and leaving MHS players grasping at air.

The Wildcats’ defense continued their solid play, forcing another fumble that was recovered by Blake Donaldson. Following the turnover the Wildcats offense wasted no time and with great blocking up front, the “Bullet” exploded through a seam, broke a tackle or two and then used his wheels to outrun the defenders 63 yards to the end zone.

After another strong showing from the defense, the Wildcats took over on offense and again found the end zone, this time after only one play as Gavin McCurley housed one from 44 yards to give the Wildcats a 36-8 lead.

MHS was able to find the end zone one last time and Kendrick added his second rushing touchdown of the game cutting the lead to 36-14.

MHS looked like they might breath a little life back into their team, picking off another pass from McNeill with just under a minute in the half, but McCurley ended the threat by picking off a pass to end the first half.

McNeill and the Wildcats offense went right back to business to open the second half and McNeill added his second rushing TD and third TD overall as he broke free from some MHS defenders and then raced 65 yards for the score.

The Wildcats defense continued to frustrate the MHS offense as McNeill came up with his second interception of the game.

McNeill wasn’t done just yet. He continued his great effort by breaking off another long TD, this time from 51 yards, thanks to holes that were opened up by his offensive line.

The Wildcats offense took over to start the fourth quarter and put together a nice time consuming drive eating nearly nine minutes off the clock “Bullet” West scored on a 6-yard run to bring the final score of 58-14.

“I’m so proud of the way this team played tonight,” said Florala head coach Justin Jones. “We controlled the line of scrimmage all night. He (McNeill) doesn’t go for 60 if the five up front don’t block. Got to give them credit. Once again I’m so proud to be a Wildcat.”

The win gives Florala their best record since 2007 at 4-4. Florala will host Georgiana next Friday night.