McKenzie
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Top 10 after Week 9
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 9 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
Early look at playoff races in each region
Who's in the playoffs, who's not, who's in contention for region championships
Top 10 teams after Week 8
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 8 Takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 8
Week 8 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
West TN Blitz top 10 after Week 7
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 7 Takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 7
Week 7 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
West TN Blitz top 10 after Week 6
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 6 Takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 6
Week 6 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
Quick hits
While the Rebels start the season with a pair of road games, it’s not like they’re having to travel far before they play. Huntingdon and Dresden are two of the biggest rivals for McKenzie, and one big reason for that is their proximity.
Head coach Keith Hodge has been a head coach the past 14 years. Every one of his teams has not just made it to the playoffs, but has at least made it to the second round, including his one team with a losing record - Murray in 2017 (5-7).
McKenzie has had two Mr. Football winners this decade - Tate Surber in 2024 and Jackson Cassidy in 2022.
The Rebels have also won at least 13 games every season in this decade, making them arguably the top program of the 2020s in rural West Tennessee.
Hodge’s coaching staff includes two former high school head coaches - Trey Cantrell (Westview) and Tyler Reeder (South Side).
Position groups
Offensive line — Hunter Winstead is a returning starter at center, and he’s got Jacion Towns, Maddox Shiell, Aiden Essary and Ashli Winston surrounding him up front to protect the backfield.
Backfield — Cole Brown will be the quarterback this year, and he’ll have Jayden Callis in the backfield with him at running back after having a breakout year last year.
Receivers — Discussion of this group starts with Avery Brown, a player who’s been named all-state each of the last two years and was a finalist for Mr. Football last year. Jacoby Melton, Kason Brown, Parker Ross and Jaden Blanton will all see time rotating in with this group as well as tight end Lelan Gordon.
Defensive line — Cooper Davidson, Shiell, Winston and Essary will be the main guys up front, but many who were named on the offensive line will also help out here.
Linebackers — Dawson Reeder, Cayden Gordon, Cole Brown and Matteo Tabada are a group with both experience and potential to improve even more that will try to keep opposing offenses from moving the ball too much each week.
Secondary — As successful as McKenzie is as a program, they’re still in Class 1A and need a lot of their guys to play both ways. Cason and Avery Brown will spend time playing cornerback on defense. Ross and Gordon will help out playing the safety positions.
Special teams — Jony Hernandez will be the kicker. Cole Brown will be the punter. Gordon will be the long snapper, while Avery Brown and Melton will be the main guys handling the returning duties.
2026 stats
No stats yet this season. They appear here once a game's book has been read and checked.