The Huntingdon Mustangs snapped a five-game losing streak to the McKenzie Rebels Friday, August 21, in McKenzie, rolling up 514 yards of offense in a 41-21 win. They also turned three Rebel turnovers into momentum that fueled the victory.
In his first game at quarterback, Braylin Dearmon delivered the performance of his life against the Rebels.
He rushed for 236 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns and completed his lone pass for 26 yards.
Dearmon had plenty of support from the backfield.
Tyreke Hutch ran for 93 yards on three carries with a touchdown and also snagged an interception. Hayes Eubanks added 78 yards on 13 carries with a score, while Kenton Smith punched in two touchdowns on 59 yards rushing. Altogether, Huntingdon piled up 488 rushing yards.
The Mustangs struck first after Broox Bennett intercepted Cole Brown at the Rebel 28. Seven plays later, Smith powered in from two yards out on fourth down. Greyson Anderson booted the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
On McKenzie’s next possession, Hutch picked off a pass at the Mustang nine to halt a Rebel drive. Huntingdon then marched 91 yards in six plays, capped by Smith’s second score on a 38-yard run with 11:17 left in the first half. Ethan Raffield’s kick made it 14-0.
After forcing a punt, Huntingdon needed just one play to go up 21-0. Hutch found a lane and sprinted 80 yards to the end zone, Anderson adding the extra point.
McKenzie finally answered when Timmy Arline returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown. Aiden Mason’s PAT cut the lead to 21-7 at the half.
The Rebels opened the second half with new life. Huntingdon fumbled on the first play, and Brown cashed in with a three-yard touchdown run after McKenzie took over at the Mustang 26. Mason’s kick trimmed the margin to 21-14.
Dearmon quickly restored momentum. After returning the kickoff to the Mustang 37, he broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown on the next play. Anderson’s PAT pushed the lead to 28-14.
The Mustangs’ defense forced another stop, and Dearmon again gashed the Rebels with a 63-yard run to the one. Eubanks finished the drive with a one-yard plunge, and Anderson extended the lead to 35-14.
Brown responded with a six-play, 77-yard Rebel drive capped by a 13-yard scoring pass to Jacobi Melton. Mason’s kick made it 35-21 with 2:53 left in the third.
Huntingdon slammed the door with an 11-play, 65-yard march. Dearmon capped it with a one-yard run, though the two-point try failed. The Mustangs settled for a 41-21 final.
Brown finished 16-of-27 for 180 yards, but the Rebels managed just 63 rushing yards on 20 attempts.
Huntingdon (1-0) travels to Camden this week, while McKenzie (0-1) hosts Dresden Friday.
