By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

GREENFIELD - McKenzie Rebel football fans should be grateful that the Rebels do, indeed, read their press clippings.

After what they felt were slights by a regional daily publication prior to their Region 7A encounter at Greenfield, several Rebel players felt they had something to prove.

Greenfield may have driven down the field for a score to open the game but all that did was give reason for McKenzie to "open up a can."

In the end, McKenzie routed Greenfield 41-8 in a came that wasn't as close as the score.

"We had a lot to prove tonight," said senior running back Tyler Moore. "I could tell they were going to be fired up during pre-game and they started off pretty good, but we wanted to prove something and we did."

Senior lineman Caleb Parham said the pre-game hubub inspired the defense.

"The defense stepped up and our offensive line got better," he said.

"We had a great week of practice this week and people have been talking about us across the state," said senior receiver Clint Kee. "This was supposed to be an upset special, but everyone played as a team with one heartbeat tonight."

"It motivated us the whole game," said senior receiver Rusty Chapman. "There was a lot of smack talk out there tonight, too."

Senior receiver Shabree Payne had an interesting way of offering how he was inspired by the pre-game expectations.

"It motivated the mess out of us," he said. "We had to get everybody's respect again and I think we took a lot out of them."

Quarterback Derek Carr began his preparation this week as just another game, but a funny thing happened on the way to Harris Field.

"Then we heard all that trash," said Carr. "We just took it to heart."

PLAYOFF BOUND: McKenzie has made the playoffs for the 11th straight year, thanks to its 41-8 victory at Greenfield.

The Rebels have twice advanced to the state semifinals in that span (2001, 2002), once to the quarterfinals and to the second round three of the last four seasons.

"It feels great to be going back," said Payne. "Hopefully we can go farther this year, hopefully we can go to the 'Boro."

Payne was making reference to Mufreesboro, site of the Blue Cross Bowl at MTSU.

McKINNEY SCORES: McKenzie sophomore Austin McKinney took a run 54 yards to paydirt in the fourth quarter of the Rebels' game at Greenfield, capping a 41-8 regional victory.

McKinney was a man of few words, which is pretty normal for him.

"They called the play and I just did it," he said. "I just ran through a great big ol' hole."

McKinney said freshman center Jake Elliott set the block that sprung him around the end.

"It felt pretty good," McKinney said.

UP NEXT: McKenzie visits West Carroll on Oct. 19 for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. A victory by the Rebels would clinch at least third place in Region 7A and also would edge them closer to a home playoff berth.

The War Eagles, currently 1-5, 1-2 in 7A, host Gleason for homecoming tonight. McKenzie holds a 16-1 edge over West Carroll all time.