NATCHEZ — If you attended a Trinity Episcopal football game this fall, and you were keeping your eyes on the ball, you probably could not miss the Saints’ No. 4. That jersey belonged to senior Tip McKenzie, who split time between running back, wide receiver, safety, quarterback and return man.

McKenzie owns the unique ability to be able to change high school football games from a variety of different positions. This past season, he rushed for 631 yards and eight touchdowns on 78 carries, had 1,046 yards and 16 touchdowns receiving and tallied 54 total tackles, six interceptions and one fumble recovery on defense. He also had three defensive touchdowns.

That ability to make plays all over the field earned McKenzie the honor of All-Metro Player of the Year for The Natchez Democrat.

“My athleticism (allowed me) to play on both sides of the ball,” McKenzie said. “My speed allows me to pretty much make plays wherever.”

McKenzie said his successful senior season started long before foot met pigskin in August.

“I pretty much put in the hard work,” he said. “My dedication in the offseason made me successful.”

McKenzie said he focused on getting stronger and faster this summer, and he also focused on improving his football skills.

“I came a long way,” he said. “I became smarter and more knowledgeable about the game.”

McKenzie has collected postseason honors this year. In addition to being named All-Metro Player of the Year, he he was named first-team MAIS, MAIS District 5-AA’s most valuable player and Fox 40’s all-purpose player of the year.

“It’s great to know you are one of the best players in the state and have people think highly of you,” he said.

McKenzie finished his high school career with more than 100 touchdowns and nearly 10,000 all-purpose yards. He said accomplishing those benchmarks — which put him in rare company in Mississippi high school football history — was a great feat. But McKenzie said he never could have done it alone.

“I have to give some of that credit to my team,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it without them and my coach putting me in places to make plays.”

McKenzie’s Trinity teammates also made his high school career special, he said.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “We had great chemistry, and we had a good time out there.”

McKenzie said setting records and winning a state title at Trinity were special moments in his career.

He is currently committed to Vanderbilt and plans on playing slot receiver for the Commodores, where he will continue to get the opportunity to do what he loves most on the football field, he said.

“My favorite thing is catching (passes),” he said. “I loved making plays on the ball while it was in the air.”

McKenzie said he would now focus on preparing for college football by working on his technique and speed during the offseason.

“I am just looking forward to getting up (to Nashville), working hard, seeing what the team is like and trying to fit in,” he said.