It's been nearly two years since the last McKenzie victory in football but the Tigers were just three and a half minutes away from starting the 2006 season 1-0 Friday night when the game slowly slipped away and J.U Blacksher took advantage of a miscue and took the game, 18-14.

The Tigers will aim for the first win of the 2006 season this Friday as McKenzie travels to region foe Kinston.

McKenzie first-year head coach Miles Brown said the loss Friday night was devastating but he also said near wins are not acceptable.

&#8220I want to win and I didn't come here for moral victories,” Brown said.

Brown said his team played a good first half of football and a solid second half, but one miscue can often be the difference in a game.

&#8220I take full blame for the loss,” Brown said. &#8220We'll get back to fundamental basics, blocking and tackling, and we'll try to correct our mistakes.”

Freshman Calvin Henderson was one of the bright spots for Tigers Friday, returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and finishing the night with 11 tackles on defense.

&#8220I told you before the year that Calvin is going to be a special player,” Brown said. &#8220Calvin almost had 200 all-purpose yards and we're just happy he's a ninth grader.”

Kickoff for Friday's game at Kinston is scheduled for 7 p.m.