By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

In 1955, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, Carl Perkins released "Blue Suede Shoes," Elvis Presley made his television debut on local Louisiana TV station and the Mickey Mouse Club, featuring Annette Funicello, aired for the first time on ABC.

The U.S. announced plans to produce Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (otherwise known as ICBMs), the Brooklyn Dodgers beat the New York Yankees 4-3, and McKenzie's football team was coached by Jack Mays.

And in 1955, McKenzie defeated the Mustangs 27-14 en route to a 6-6 season. It also was the last time McKenzie had beaten Huntingdon in sucessive seasons...until 2007.

Friday night marked the first time in 52 years that a football team from McKenzie High School had beaten the Mustangs consecutively. Last year, the Rebels dispatched Huntingdon 31-17 at Paul Ward Stadium.

The Rebels controlled the tempo, used its offense as defense, snapped the ball 73 times, held it for 32:48 of the alotted 48 minutes and defeated Huntingdon 28-19. It was a physical ballgame, but in the end, the Rebels had beaten Huntingdon the same fashion all those great Mustang teams had beaten McKenzie.

"We have some depth at running back and we were able to keep some fresh legs in there," said MHS coach Wade Comer. "And the offensive line did an outstanding job, especially in the second half."

The Rebels marched 73 yards in 12 plays on the opening drive to score and basically served notice to Huntingdon that they were going to dictate the pace.

"We set the tempo with that first drive and we needed to get off to a fast start," said Comer. "We weren't running very well at the beginning, but Derek (Carr) made some great throws and the receivers made great catches and got us in position where we could score."

"We had opportunities, but we couldn't get our defense off the field," said Huntingdon coach Mike Mansfield. "We played hard and we knew they would too; it was a game of trying to establish field position and we just couldn't our defense off the field."

The Rebels used up 4:15 during their first drive, running 10 times, throwing twice and ending with a 1-yard plunge by John Campbell. Harris Laughery booted the first of four PAT kicks and the Rebs led 7-0.

After a stop by each team, Huntingdon took possession again and cranked an eight-play, 53-yard drive. Cole McAdams hit Tyler Simpson for a 13-yard gain where he was stripped of the ball at the 1. It rolled into the end zone where Clint Everett covered it. McAdams put the foot to the PAT and Huntingdon tied the game at 7.

With 4:02 to play in the second quarter, Clint Kee picked off a McAdams' pass and the Rebels were in Mustang territory at the 44. Four plays later, Rebel quarterback Derek Carr connected with senior Rusty Chapman for a 27-yard scoring pass with 2:38 to play. The Rebels captured a 14-7 lead.

Huntingdon survived a big hit from Rebel all-state defender Tyler Reeder, which dropped Huntingdon's Matt Weathers for a 3-yard loss. It drove down to the McKenzie 20 where the drive bogged down, thanks to a sack by McKenzie sophomore Evan Rogers.

The Mustangs set up for a field goal and tried a fake, a la the Louisina State play vs. South Carolina last week. It was snuffed out by cornerback Quinton Bowden and the Rebels' 14-7 halftime lead had been preserved.

But as is often the case when Huntingdon plays McKenzie, a big play often comes back to bite the Rebels. On the first play from scrimmage to start the second half, Weathers, the speedy Mustang scatback, darted 64 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. McAdams' kick missed and the Rebels held a scant 14-13 lead. Weathers had 21 carries for 165 yards.

"Matt had some good runs and he had some bad runs," said Mansfield. "But he's a tough kid."

The Rebels took their second possesion of the third quarter 53 yards in 10 plays and ate up 4:12 of clock to open the gates for a Jake Johnson 3-yard TD. The Rebels led 21-13.

Two big hits, one by Austin Winstead, the other a sack from Rogers on a big third-down play, stymied the Mustangs and they were forced to punt. The Rebels managed only four plays and Carr booted a 34-yard punt. The punt return was fumbled and pounced upon by Bowden at the Mustang 17. Johnson carried twice after the fumble, 10 yards the last time for a score with 9:53 to play. Johnson finished with 15 carries for 72 yards and a pair of scores to lead the Rebels. MHS held a 28-13 lead at that point.

"I don't know what happened to us, but we just couldn't hold on to the ball," said a puzzled Mansfield. "We didn't do that in practice. I don't know what was going on."

The Rebels stopped the Mustangs on downs with 7:20 to play and appeared to be headed for a game-salting score. The Rebels drove to the 6 when senior Tyler Moore received the handoff, broke to the left, reached the 3 and was flipped. He landed head-first into the turf and lost the football. Simpson picked it up and raced 97 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown. Meanwhile, Moore was writhing on the turf. After the play was over, medical staff, coaches and administrators went to the aid of Moore, who was taken off the field on a stretcher. He gave the thumbs up as he entered the ambulance.

Moore was taken to McKenzie Regional Hospital for precautionary measures. He had movement in his extremities and was alert and talking immediately after the injury. The game was delayed for almost 15 minutes.

The two-point conversion failed and Huntingdon trailed 28-19. The Mustangs tried an onside kick, but it streaked into the waiting hands of Shabree Payne, who fell on the ball. McKenzie marched down to the Mustang 20 when time ran out. Except for the fumble return, McKenzie held the ball for the last 7:20.

"Our kids played well and played hard; we made a few mistakes," said Comer, "but the effort has been there all year long and we're getting there and making plays."

In 2002, Huntingdon used the foot of Brian Nellett to turn field position over on McKenzie in a 20-7 win at Paul Ward Stadium. Friday night, Carr's punting turned the tables on Huntingdon. He had three punts for a 37-yard average and one kick resulted in a Huntingdon fumble and resulting Rebel score.

"Derek punts extremely well and you don't realize it, but there are a lot of hidden yards there when he kicks," said Comer. "Bowden does a good job on punts and always is a threat to make a big play."

Re: his fumble recovery that led to a score.

Comer was happy about the fact that McKenzie has beaten Huntingdon twice in a row. He says it shows the Rebels are heading in a positive direction.

"We beat a quality team in Huntingdon. Huntingdon is a championship team," said the coach. "We went out there and beat them. It was a big game for us and another big step."

"McKenzie played physical and they were very balanced," Mansfield said. "They ran it well, threw it well and they have a great quarterback, but I thought our kids played hard, too."

The Rebels rolled up 392 total yards and 22 first downs. Huntingdon had 229 yards and nine first downs. Carr was 11-21 for 155 yards and a touchdown. Jake Johnson had seven tackles, a pass break-up and a tackle for loss. Clint Everett had six stops to go with a quarterback hurry, a pass break-up and a tackle for loss to lead Huntingdon.

Next week, the Rebels, 4-1, 2-0, will celebrate homecoming when Gleason visits for a Region 7A game. Kickoff is 7:30 at Rebel Field. Gleason defeated Middleton 46-0 Friday. Huntingdon, 3-2, 1-0, will welcome Camden to Paul Ward Stadium for a regional tilt 7:30 Friday night.