By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

After a lethargic outing against Camden in the Huntingdon Jamboree last week, the McKenzie Rebels football team wanted open the season by setting the tone early.

To measure this tone, a decibel meter wouldn't be enough. A seismograph would be more appropriate.

The Rebels made some bone-jarring hits on the opening kickoff, recovered a fumble, scored 15 seconds into the game and instantly set the tenor as they lambasted visiting Dresden 42-0.

A large crowd filled up the brand new home side of Rebel Field and watched McKenzie cause six turnovers and impose its physical will on the visiting Lions.

McKenzie coach Wade Comer was visibly pleased with the outcome.

"We started off by being physical and hitting them in the mouth right off the bat," said the coach, waxing metaphorically. "We made it a physical game and that's what we wanted to do."

McKenzie only snapped the ball 29 times and used only 6:32 of the 24 first-half minutes meted out. But it ran to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and expanded its cushion to 36-0 by halftime, prompting invocation of the new "mercy rule." The new TSSAA edict calls for continuous clock in the second half if the margin is greater than 35 points at halftime.

Derek Carr had a good game. He was 7-11 passing for 174 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. He also ran for a pair of touchdowns. Tyler Moore carried five times for 57 yards and scored a touchdown to lead the ground attack. It was a pretty well-balanced game for the Rebels.

"We made a lot of big plays on special teams, defense and offense," Comer said. "We did good things in all three phases tonight and the young kids contributed, too. Our kids played hard and we were in better position tonight, especially on defense; I thought we made a lot of improvement there and took a big step forward."

The Rebels limited Dresden to only 78 offensive yards and forced six turnovers: five fumbles and an interception on the last play of the game.

"We got five turnovers and that was good and it kept us on a short field," said Comer of his team's starting position. "The offense executed well and did a good job of protecting Derek."

The Rebels served notice right off the bat that they were ready to play. On the opening kickoff, MHS sophomore Keon Williams introduced himself vigorously to the Dresden deep back and forced a fumble which Jacob Fussell picked up. The Rebels were on the Lion 14 and need only one play to post their first score. On a well-executed wheel play, Carr found senior Clint Kee wide open for a 14-yard scoring strike. Harris Laughrey nailed the first of four PATs and the Rebels were up 7-0 with just 15 seconds gone in the first quarter.

McKenzie stopped Dresden on the first Lion possession and quickly scored. Starting from his own 36, Carr connected with senior Shabree Payne for a 29 yard completion, which set up Fussell's 24-yard TD burst two plays later. With 6:25 gone in the first, McKenzie led 14-0.

Evan Rogers scooped up a Lion fumble on and returned it 19 yards to the MHS 25 where the Rebs needed four plays. Moore's 13-yard dash on the third play set up Carr's 1-yard plunge with 1:15 to play in the first. MHS led 21-0.

Early in the second frame, Dresden failed to convert on a fourth-down play. Austin Winstead, Fussell, Tyler Reeder, who had nine tackles on the day, and John Campbell teamed to stuff Zach Garner for a loss and the Rebels took over.

Carr hit Chapman for a 43-yard pickup on the first play of the drive and Moore scored from the 5 two plays later. The Rebels led 28-0 with 10:01 to play in the half.

"Tyler just keeps plugging along and running well," said Comer.

Dresden failed to convert on another fourth-down play and the Rebels made it pay. Carr hit Payne for a 16-yard gain then Chapman again for a 22-yard aerial. Three plays later, Carr scrambled in from the 12 with 1:34 to play in the half. Kyle Kirk ran in the conversion try and McKenzie led 36-0 at the break.

In the third quarter, McKenzie sustained its longest drive of the night. It moved 66 yards in seven plays using 6:37. Carr located Kirk for a 36-yard strike. The PAT missed, but the Rebels were in control 42-0. From that point, both teams were able to build some depth.

"We came out of the gate and fumbled the ball," said first-year Dresden coach Eric Knott, a Greenfield product. "We had to play a perfect game to stay close and when you play less than perfect, you get beat 42-0."

Knott was pleased with his team's effort, just not the execution.

"The kids played hard and I was proud of their effort," he said. "McKenzie is a good team, but our effort was much better."

Comer liked his team's renewed spirit. Last week against Camden, the Rebels were a bit lackluster in their effort.

"We played hard throughout the game, even when we got up big," said Comer. "We never had a letdown and kept after them. When they did make a big play, we'd come back and make a big play."

Clay Adams led the Lions with 19 carries for 42 yards. Quarterback Dale Hutcherson was 5-10 passing for 32 yards with an interception. Daniel Harris had two catches for 20 yards. Defensively, J.B. Capps had three tackles.

Chapman had three catches for 79 yards to lead the Rebels. Reeder had nine stops, including three tackles for loss.

The Lions even their record at 1-1 and will face a tough Region 7-2A test when it travels to Trenton-Peabody. Camden edged Trenton 24-20. Meanwhile, McKenzie, 1-0, will head to Bruceton to face the Region 7A-favorite Tigers.