The McKenzie Tigers came back from a two touchdown deficit to beat Autaugaville on the road Friday night, 31-14.

“Give Autaugaville credit,” said McKenzie head coach Miles Brown. “They came out and hit us in the mouth. But our guys didn’t back down and kept fighting.”

With the score 14-0, quarterback Sir Walace Presley connected with Emmanuel Johnson for a 42-yard touchdown strike before halftime for McKenzie. In the Wildcat formation, wide receiver Chuck Thompson then took the ball on a sweep play and through it to Presley for the two-point conversion.

Autaugaville led 14-8 at halftime.

Thompson then tied the game with a two-yard plunge and Johnson ran in the two-point conversion attempt as McKenzie grabbed the lead for good in the third quarter, 16-14.

With six minutes remaining in the game, Cliff Pugh carried the ball 16 yards for a score and Thompson added another two points for the Tigers, 24-14.

Presley added the Tigers’ final score on a quarterback keeper and Dean Dungan kicked the extra point with two minutes left.

Defensively, the Tigers were led by Kendrick Ball’s 10 tackles and two sacks. Ethan Davis and Johnson added eight tackles apiece. Johnson had two pass break-ups and an interception. Thompson also had a pick and three pass break-ups.