MCC REBELS HEAD TO ROCHESTER AFTER WIN OVER SPRINGFIELD

The MCC Rebels were in Marshall on Halloween to play for the Section 3A title and a trip to the state tournament. MCC was looking to end a four game losing streak to the Springfield Tigers, including a loss in last year’s Section Final 20 to 10. In what was a hard fought game and a back and forth first half, the Rebels punched their ticket to state.

The Rebels started the game on defense and forced the Tigers into a punt on Springfield’s first possession. The Rebels moved the ball down the field on the ground during their own first possession. MCC mixed in runs from Carson Lewis, Jordan Sturges, and in the end, Teague Meyer scored on a three yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed, but the Rebels led 6-0.

The Tigers took their first lead on the next drive when they moved the ball down to the two yardline. Parker Kuehn scored on a quarterback sneak and the extra point by Madden Lendt made the score 7-6 after one quarter.

The Tigers scored the next points on the first play of the second quarter. Paytin Johnson got a nine yard touchdown run. The extra point made the score 14 to 6 in favor of Springfield. The Rebels found themselves down by eight points. This seemed to light a fire, as the Rebels picked up their physicality. MCC started to feed Carson Lewis and the team’s leading rusher took it to the Tigers. Lewis had runs of 11, 13, 8, 9 and finally 10 yards for a touchdown. The two point conversion on a pass to Gabe Tentinger tied the score at 1414. The Rebels were not done, adding one more touchdown in the first half. The Rebels drove the field and Teague Meyer scored on a three yard run on fourth down; the extra point by Aubin Licht made the halftime score 21 to 14.

The Rebels started the third quarter with the ball and put together the best drive of the season. They started the drive at their own 41 yard line and marched slowly to the endzone.

The Rebels didn’t have big plays; they had consistent yardage. MCC picked up several fourth downs as they moved the ball down the field. The yards came from Lewis and Meyer as the Rebels got inside the ten yard line. Lewis scored on a touchdown run from three yards out and the extra point put the Rebels ahead 28 to 14 with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter. The touchdown drive took 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

The Tigers answered the Rebels score with one of their own as Parker Kuehn threw a six yard touchdown pass to Madden Lendt with 9:48 to play in the game. The extra point was missed making the score 28 to 20.

The Rebels worked on the clock, moving the ball down the field and getting the ball to the five yard line with under a minute to play. The Rebels and the Tigers exchanged five yard penalties and with just a few seconds left, Aubin Licht made a 25 yard field goal. That made the score 31 to 20, giving the Rebels a victory and their first trip to the state tournament since 2021.

Carson Lewis led the Rebels with 33 carries for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns. Teague Meyer had 19 carries for 73 yards and two touchdowns. The Rebels special teams and defense combined for two turnovers a kick recovery by Dugan Kluis and an INT by Lucas Kuball. The Rebels offensive and defensive lines were terrific in this game as the Rebels ended the losing streak to the Tigers. In doing so, they punched their ticket to the state tournament. The Rebels will play the Fillmore Central Falcons at Rochester Mayo high school Friday night at 7:00 pm for a chance to play at US Bank Stadium for the first time.