McKenzie School managed to hold off Geneva County High School to score a 34-32 win Friday night in McKenzie.

“A win is a win and I can take it any way we can get it right now,” McKenzie head coach Miles Brown said. “This is a young group right here that’s trying to fill a lot of big shoes around here, but we played a great ball game, and they made us proud.”

Coming out with a strong first half, the Tigers scored two touchdowns with missed extra points and a safety in the first quarter of the game to take a 14-0 lead with 3:19 to play in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs had five turnovers, which included an interception that sophomore Nicarius Peterson returned 67 yards for a touchdown making it 20-0 early in the second quarter.

With 8:28 left in the half, McKenzie ran a double pass when quarterback Sir Wallace Presley passed the ball to backup quarterback Terrance Clemons who then completed a pass to wide receiver Matt Lewis making it first-and-goal for the Tigers. Presley completed a pass to Peterson making it 26-0.

McKenzie totaled 202 yards through the air, while rushing for 90 yards. The Tigers’ special teams also accounted for 85 yards.

“We’re going to look at films, and we’re just going to try and get better,” Brown said.

Before the half, the Tigers had managed one more touchdown and a two point conversion and the Bulldogs also added a touchdown with a two-point conversion making it 34-8.

With a big lead, the Tigers came out strong, but the Bulldogs came out stronger.

The Geneva County defense was able to hold the Tigers’ offense to scoreless in the second half.

With 6:12 left in the game, Geneva County managed to score another touchdown making it 34-32. The Tigers were forced to punt with just four minutes left in the game. The Bulldogs ran the ball down to the Tiger’s 28-yard line with one minute left in the game. After four downs, the Tigers were able to hold the Bulldogs saving the win and improving to 2-1 on the season.

“We have to find ways to win, and that’s all that matters right now,” Brown said.

McKenzie will host Red Level Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.