Chester County’s defensive front battles McKenzie at the line of scrimmage Friday night. The Eagles held the Rebels scoreless in the fourth quarter but fell 42-7. Photo by Brittany Lewis
Early turnovers and missed fourth-down opportunities put Chester County in a hole it could not escape Friday night as McKenzie defeated the Eagles 42-7.
The loss was Chester County’s third in a row after opening the season with three consecutive victories.
The Eagles fumbled on their first offensive play, giving McKenzie possession at the Chester County 27-yard line. The defense pushed the Rebels back and forced a fourth-and-nine, but McKenzie completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead.
McKenzie extended the lead on its next possession. The Rebels converted a fourth-and-three with a 23-yard run before scoring from two yards out to make it 14-0.
Chester County began to find some running room late in the first quarter and moved the ball into McKenzie territory. The drive carried into the second quarter but ended with an incomplete pass on fourth down at the Rebels’ 24-yard line.
McKenzie added two more touchdowns before halftime, including one following a Chester County interception, and took a 28-0 lead into the locker room.
The Rebels opened the second half with a 65-yard touchdown pass. Chester County answered with a 42-yard completion that placed the ball inside the McKenzie 15, but the Eagles were stopped on fourth down at the 7.
McKenzie added a 13-yard touchdown run on the following possession to extend its lead to 42-0.
Izaiah Armstrong prevented the shutout when he broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run later in the third quarter. The Eagles’ defense kept McKenzie off the scoreboard in the fourth, but neither team scored again.
Chester County finished with 172 rushing yards and 55 yards through the air. The Eagles completed three of seven passes and turned the ball over three times.
The Eagles have found points harder to come by during their three-game losing streak. After scoring 116 points during their 3-0 start, Chester County has scored 35 over its last three games.
Chester County is now 3-3 on the season. The Eagles will travel to Dyer County this Friday night.
