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The Murray County Central Rebel Football team wrapped up their regular season on Wednesday night. With MEA week allowing vacation time for school students, the Rebels took to the field to close out the regular season at home on parents and senior night. The Rebels would not disappoint. In a strong showing against the Canby Lancers, under a blanket of haze and fog reminiscent of any great Scooby Doo Cartoon, there would be no Red Herring in this battle, as the Rebels would cruise to their sixth straight victory.
The Rebels running attack got off to a quick start, due to a great defensive play. The Canby Lancers started with the football and on their very first pass attempt, Carter Hanson came up with an interception, giving the Rebels the ball on the Lancers half of the fifty yard line. The Rebels would score less than two minutes later, when Jordan Sturges ran 12 yards, cutting through the defense and the fog for the first Rebel points of the night. Aubin Licht converted the extra point to put the Rebels ahead 7-0. The Rebels defense played a terrific first half, not allowing the Lancers to gain many yards. MCC forced a punt and the Rebels once again drove the field, mixing runs from Teague Meyer, Gabe Tentinger, Jordan Sturges. and Carson Lewis. The Rebels didn’t break the long run but they would control the clock, moving down to the goal line where Carson Lewis would score on a three yard run. The extra point by Licht made the score 14-0 with just over a minute to play in the first quarter.
The Rebels continued to pour it on in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns while not allowing Canby to dent the scoreboard. The Rebels defense was haunting with some big hits, including a huge sack by Gabe Wolske. Carson Lewis scored his second touchdown of the game with 7:41 to play in the half. Lewis would score on a 9 yard run, banging off Lancers on his way to the end zone. The Rebels led 21-0. The Lancers kept trying to throw the ball with little luck, as MCC held the Panthers without a completion in the first half. The Rebels put another touchdown on the scoreboard with 5:52 to go in the half. The Rebels dug into the play book, completing 2 passes on the next drive, both to Gabe Tentinger. The first catch was to be a 13 yard catch for a first down and the second catch was a 28 yard touchdown. Aubin added the extra point to make the score 28-0. The Rebels. MCC added another touchdown, as the Rebels again drove the field, taking up time while extending the lead. The Rebels scored one more time in the first half. They again drove the ball on the ground with a mix of different players. Lucas Kuball scored his first touchdown of the game on a 25 yard touchdown run right down the middle of the field. The score and following extra point put the Rebels up 35-0 at the half.
When the Rebels came out for the second half, they would receive the opening kickoff. MCC subbed out all of their starters and brought in the JV for their third quarter. Nothing much would change for the Rebels as MCC went on a long sustained drive led by the youngsters. Max Mathiason and Noah Frisk led the Rebel attack as they had the biggest runs of the drive. Frisk ran for 25 yards to get the ball across midfield and Mathiason kept the chains moving with key first down pick ups. After a seven and a half minute drive, Frisk scored on a one yard run and the Rebels would not be denied. The Lancers scored their only touchdown of the game in the third quarter, on a Cody Stoll to Daven VanEngen touchdown pass and catch. It was one of 3 completions for the Lancers in the second half, after none in the first. The Rebels did not punt in this game. The 9th graders played the fourth quarter. Vance Ahlers scored on a terrific touchdown run to end the scoring late in the 4th quarter. The Rebels would win, 49 to 7 picking up their 6th consecutive win.
MCC was led by Carson Lewis’ 10 carries for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns. Gabe Tentinger ran 5 times for 60 yards while having 2 catches for 38 yards and a score. Jordan Sturges ran for 47 yards and a touchdown. The Rebels win puts them as the #2 seed in the upcoming Section 3A playoffs. The Rebels and the Springfield Tigers will each get a bye in the first round Tuesday, advancing to the Section Semi-Finals Saturday at 3:00 pm. The Tigers will play the winner of TMB and Sleepy Eye United, while the Rebels will play the winner of RTR and BOLD.
