By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

It would have been very easy for the McKenzie Rebels' football team to mope around and whine about having to practice outdoors in rain, wind and slop.

But that's just not the Rebel way. Having been afflicted by late-season doldrums in each of the past two seasons, McKenzie isn't taking any chances. The Rebels believe that a championship level on the playing field comes from the work you do on the practice field. Lake County found out just how intense the Rebels could be Friday night when it sustained a 50-0 drubbing at the hands of McKenzie.

"We practice hard for everybody," said McKenzie senior lineman Elijah Harris. "It was rainy and it was cold out, but we had a good week and it showed up on the field."

"Yeah, we practiced in the rain and we still got stuff done this week," said qaurterback Derek Carr. "It would have been different if we had gone through the motions, but we still toughed it out and tonight we just hit them hard."

"Rain is just part of the season," said senior tailback Tyler Moore. "You are going to get rain at some point in time. But we still had a good week of practice."

"It was cold, but we still got after it at practice," said senior John Campbell. "Hopefully all this will pay off and we can win a state championship."

"Being out in the rain, it was cold, it was wet, but we prepared," senior receiver Clint Kee said. "Even in bad weather, we still practiced hard."

Rusty Chapman, who had 104 yards and two receiving TDs, said the team crystalized during workouts.

"We came together and took a step up at practice," he said.

"We just have to keep practicing hard," said senior receiver Kyle Kirk.

Senior Tyler Reeder said the intensity was good from the first day of practice last week and it typified the type of work ethic the Rebels have.

"It rained all week," he said. "But rain, shine, sleet, snow, we're out there practicing."

SENIOR NIGHT A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT: For 13 football players, two cheerleaders, five band members and a cameraman, Friday night marked the last regular-season home game for the McKenzie Rebels. Of course MHS will have as many as four post-season games this year, should it continue through the playoffs.

Winning the Region 7A title for the second year in a row and doing it on senior night was special for the players.

"Nobody said we could do it, nobody said we'd be any good," said senior Tyler Reeder. "Some said we'd be a .500 team."

Reeder said winning the title and all was nice, but it could have been better.

"I wish Corey Ellis could have played," he said. "That would have been better. He would do anything he could to have played."

Ellis suffered a knee injury in the Rebels' first pre-season scrimmage at Liberty Magnet in Jackson almost three months ago. MHS football coach wade Comer said after the game there is a chance Ellis might be available for the playoffs. He already is doing some rehabilitation work in the Rebel weight room.

"Just to win a regional championship feels great, but to do it on senior night is great," said newcomer John Campbell, who is experiencing his first title. "This is the first championship for me after being at North Side."

"To win it two years in a row feels great," said Shabree Payne. "To get a shutout and do it on senior night is just an extra sparkle."

"It's electrifying," said senior Clint kee. "We knew we couldn't take a step down because we're trying to reach ultimate goal."

"It feels good and now we have five shutouts for the season," said Tyler Moore. "Doing it on senior night makes it a lot better."

Quarterback Derek Carr agreed.

"It is great, especially to win like we did on senior night," he said. "We know it's not our last game at home, because we will be here for the playoffs, but it is great to win on senior night."

BAGELS TASTY FOR THE REBELS: Five times, McKenzie's defense has blanked opponents, starting with a 42-0 victory over Dresden. The Rebels tied a mark for shutouts in a season with five. It was done in 1992 and 1999. The Rebels have defeated Dresden, Bruceton (35-0), Gleason (36-0), West Carroll (68-0) and now Lake County (50-0). In all five games, the clock ran continuously in the second half.

UP NEXT: The Rebels hit the road one final time in the regular season when it visits South Fulton Friday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. The Red Devils have struggled to a 1-8 start. They beat Ballard Memorial (Ky.) 26-19, and have since dropped eight straight, including a 40-7 setback at Gleason last Friday night. The Rebels own a 5-3 edge in the series over the Red Devils.