McKenzie’s bid at the Class 1A state championship on Friday fell just short.
South Pittsburg scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, both by Jamarion Farrior, to win the Class 1A state championship game 14-7 over McKenzie at a rainy Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.
The first half was a forgettable string of ineffective drives, but play picked up in the third quarter. South Pittsburg fumbled on their first three possessions of the second half, the second of which gave McKenzie a very short field. The Rebels scored to open the scoring on two plays, including Jake Cassidy’s 18-yard touchdown catch.
But South Pittsburg took the game over in the fourth quarter via Farrior’s wildcat running game. After McKenzie fumbled away the ball late in the third quarter, Farrior tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run.
McKenzie again gave South Pittsburg a short field on a failed fake punt near midfield, and Farrior again took over. On a drive predominately made up of Farrior rushes lining up at quarterback in the place of injured starting QB Kamden Wellington, Farrior scored the go-ahead touchdown on an 8-yard run with 5:31 left.
After punting the ball away and getting a defensive stop, McKenzie had one more shot with less than two minutes to play. But South Pittsburg’s interception on fourth down sealed the Pirates’ state championship.
Recap the Class 1A state championship game below:
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McKenzie got the ball back with less than two minutes to play after the two teams traded punts. The Rebels couldn’t move the ball, and a fourth down pass was intercepted.
South Pittsburg takes the game and the Class 1A state title. Tough fourth quarter for the Rebels, who only allowed the two touchdowns on short fields following either a turnover or a turnover on downs.
South Pittsburg is in the lead, and it was all Jamarion Farrior on the go-ahead drive. The Pirates got another gift, as a McKenzie fake punt failed, giving South Pittsburg good field position.
Farrior convered a 4th and 2 near the McKenzie 36-yard line. Four Farrior carries later, the wildcat QB ran through McKenzie defenders for an 8-yard touchdown carry and the lead.
Despite the earlier fumbles, South Pittsburg leads 14-7.
After a McKenzie fumble in its own territory, South Pittsburg is on the board. Jamarion Farrior scores from two yards out to take advantage of the short field. PAT good. 7-7 early in the fourth quarter.
Key play in the drive was a Kamden Wellington carry for a first down on 4th and 1 from the McKenzie 7-yard line to begin the fourth quarter.
Wellington left the game a play later after reinjuring his left ankle on 1st and goal. Wellington reportedly injured his ankle in last week’s semifinal victory. Wellington was helped off the field by a couple people, clearly in discomfort.
Both touchdowns in the Class 1A title game have come after recovering fumbles and creating short fields.
Three second half possessions, three lost fumbles for South Pittsburg. The third one comes as the Pirates were driving deep into McKenzie territory in a nice response to the McKenzie touchdown.
The Rebels could use a long scoring drive here.
There is some life in the Class 1A state championship game. South Pittsburg fumbles away the ball for the second straight possession to begin the second half, and McKenzie takes advantage.
After recovering the ball on the South Pittsburg 22-yard line, Jake Cassidy gets open over the middle for a 18-yard touchdown reception and the lead for the Rebels. PAT good.
At halftime, this blog mentioned about how important second half turnovers would be in this game. That has been the case in the third quarter. McKenzie leads 7-0.
Not much going in the second quarter. Scoreless at halftime. Few chunk plays for either team in the first half. If one of these teams turns the ball over in the second half, it may end up being the biggest play in the game.
The first half total yardage: South Pittsburg 115, McKenzie 52
South Pittsburg turns the ball over on downs inside the McKenzie 30-yard line to end the first quarter. Both teams have moved the ball some, but a scoreless first quarter at a damp Finley Stadium. Rain has tapered off, though.
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The championship games will be televised across the state on these stations (channel numbers over the air, cable channels can be found here):
Nashville: WUPX MyNetwork TV Channel 30
Memphis: WMC-TV+ Channel 5.5
Knoxville: WKNX Channel 7
Chattanooga: WFLI MyNetwork TV Channel 53.2
Jackson: Jackson Energy Authority E+ broadband Channel 6 (not OTA)
Tri-Cities: WCYB.2 CW Network Channel 5.2
Class 3A: Alcoa (12-1) vs. East Nashville (12-2), 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT
Class 1A: South Pittsburg (14-0) vs. McKenzie (13-1), 3 p.m./2 p.m. CT
Class 5A: Knoxville West (13-1) vs. Page (13-1), 7 p.m./6 p.m. CT
2023-12-01 22:49:53
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