McKenzie returns home for region game, Fort Dale holds homecoming
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Two weeks ago, the McKenzie Tigers were riding high after getting back into the win column after failing to win for nearly two years, but all that came crashing down Friday night as the Tigers were shut out at Pleasant Home, 33-0.
“We just played flat,” McKenzie head coach Miles Brown said. “We didn't play McKenzie-brand football.”
McKenzie-brand football, Brown said, is hard-nosed, smash-mouth football, and what the Tigers did Friday night was not that.
“So we got back to basics Monday, went full pads and went to hitting,” Brown said.
This week, the Tigers return home to take on region foe Zion Chapel.
The Rebels were shut out by Brantley Friday night, 42-0, but Brown said those numbers shouldn't fool you.
“(Zion Chapel) is a very disciplined football team,” Brown said. “They like to option, option, option.”
In order for the Tigers to pull off the second win of this young 2006 season, Brown said his team is going to have to play the way they did two weeks ago at Kinston.
“We have to play good, assignment football,” Brown said. “We have to come out and play physical.”
Kickoff for Friday night's game in McKenzie is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Fort Dale
The Fort Dale Eagles return to action this week following an emotional 22-20 win over region rival Clarke Prep Friday night.
The Eagles stopped a two-point conversion attempt by the Gators with just minutes remaining in the game to seal the win and earn the crucial region victory.
The usual run-happy Eagles went to the air several times during the win, with quarterback Ty Newton finishing 10-of-15 for 133 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, Mika Jones scored twice and added a two-point conversion while Newton also had a two-point score.
This week's opponent, Monroe, was shut out 51-0 at the hands of Cottage Hill Friday night, and the Eagles defense will be looking to put pressure on the Monroe quarterback.
Along with the game Friday night, the Eagles will also host homecoming festivities, including crowning a homecoming queen and the induction of the Fort Dale 2006 Hall of Fame class.
This year's inductees are:
n Jennie Katz Hamilton, Class of 1997, Tennis, Basketball.
n Kellie Murphy Burton, Class of 1998, Tennis, Basketball.
n Colin MacGuire, Class of 1976, Football.
n Patrick Bowman, Class of 1993, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track.
n Dennis Small, Class of 1994, Football, Baseball.
The induction ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. in the library with the inductees also being announced before the game.
Kickoff for Friday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.