By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

The Gleason game came at a dangerous time for the McKenzie Rebels football team.

The Rebels had just beaten archrival Huntingdon 28-19 last week, was playing a Gleason team that hadn't defeated McKenzie since 1987 and it was homecoming week. That's a troublesome trifecta for a lot of football teams. Often, beating an archrival can leave a team flat the next week and with the added homecoming component and ancillary distractions, sometimes football isn't on the front burner.

Friday night, one might have thought McKenzie hadn't played anybody in three weeks. It was intense, it was ready to play and it kept the energy up for the entire game. Letdown was not an option. As a result, the Rebels blanked visiting Gleason 36-0 to go 5-1 overall and 3-0 in Region 7A.

It was a big night for Sarah Edwards, an MHS junior, too. She was crowned homecoming queen in pre-game ceremonies.

The Rebels made a statement right away. After stopping Gleason on its first series, McKenzie served notice that it was here to play. Senior quarterback Derek Carr went for the home run ball right off the bat and hit receiver Shabree Payne in stride for a 59-yard TD strike. A 10-second possession gave the Rebels an early 7-0 lead and if there was any hint of flatness, it disappeared after that play.

"Our intensity was good," said a pleased Wade Comer, MHS football coach. "We came out and played hard."

It was a stellar defensive effort for the Rebels, too. Gleason only managed 61 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs snapped the ball 45 times, but only gained positive yardage 31 times. In addition, McKenzie defenders sacked Gleason quarterback Zach Wallace 11 times. All-stater Tyler Reeder had six sacks, Evan Rogers four and Tyler Watson one. In addition Reeder and Austin Winstead each had blocked punts that resulted in scores. Winstead's block rolled into the end zone where Jacob Fussell covered it for a touchdown.

"Our defense played exceptionally well for the most part," said Comer. "They popped a play or two on us, but we played disciplined. Reeder and Rogers did well. They may have gotten outside of us one time, but we played our responsibilities and did a good job."

Tyler Moore ran well in the wake of his neck injury last week against Huntingdon. He showed no ill effects and carried 12 times for 100 yards and a score. Carr kept it close to the vest, throwing only when he needed to. He completed 5-7 passes for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

After the quick strike, the Rebels mounted another drive to the 1 that ended in a fumble. But the Rebels soon got the ball back and quickly scored again. MHS marched 51 yards in six plays ending in Carr's 7-yard scoring run. Harris Laughrey kicked the first of four PATs and the Rebels led 14-0 with 10:36 to play in the first half.

Gleason had some success moving the football on its next drive, but the incursion stalled and the Bulldogs had to punt. Reeder got his paws on the boot and the loose ball fell into the hands of senior John Campbell at the Gleason 16. Carr went the quick-strike route again, finding Kyle Kirk for the 16-yard TD aerial. The Rebels led 21-0. McKenzie's Rogers forced a fumble after a sack on Gleason's next possession, but neither team mounted much and the Rebels had a three-score lead at the break.

McKenzie had a nice drive going to start the second half, but it sputtered at the Bulldog 26. Gleason took over but managed three plays before having to punt. On the kick, senior Austin Winstead knocked the kick away and Jacob Fussell covered it in the end zone. With 6:44 to play in the third, MHS led 28-0.

Kirk recovered a Gleason fumble and McKenzie took over at the Bulldog 38. Six plays later, Moore knifed his way into the end zone. On the conversion attempt, McKenzie set up to kick the extra point. Carr took the snap, sold it as if it were going to be a kick, then flipped it over his head to a sprinting Laughrey, a la Louisiana State against South Carolina last weekend. Laughrey walked into the end zone and McKenzie led 36-0, forcing implementation of the TSSAA-mandated mercy rule. It was the third time this year a Rebel opponent suffered this sanction.

In almost an eyeblink, it was over and the Rebels had secured their fifth win in six outings.

"We had a good week of practice," said Comer. "And we're going to have to have another good week this week."

The Rebels face Greenfield at Harris Field Thursday. It's going to be a disjointed week because of Columbus Day Monday and the Thursday road start. Greenfield is celebrating its Fiddlesticks Festival next week. The Yellow Jackets are 4-2, 3-0 in the region, after hammering South Fulton Friday 54-13.

"Greenfield is feeling good about themselves," Comer said. "We have a big week in front of us."

Gleason, meanwhile, travels to West Carroll Friday night, Oct. 12. Kickoff is 7:30 in Atwood. The War Eagles sustained a 63-39 loss to Lake County Friday night.