By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

Things had certainly looked better for the McKenzie Rebels. They had several players in street clothes for missing practice.

They had several starters on the sideline doubled over, some even throwing up. Half a dozen players were suffering from cramps. Union City had spread McKenzie's defense out, had it running all over the place trying to catch the Tornadoes and they had just taken two 80-yard drives for scores and a 33-21 lead.

Even when McKenzie had gotten back into the game, Union City found a way to make a big play or return a long kick.

What was thought to be a formality by folks on both sides of the field had become a dire situation for the favored Rebels. And the circumstances certainly had the Rebels' attention.

MHS had finally gotten the lead back, 34-33, with 6:41 to play, a result of a thrilling 48-yard burst by sophomore Jake Johnson. But Union City returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards and scored with 4:28 to play to regain the lead, 39-34.

"We didn't need that to happen," said senior Derek Carr. "When I saw Johnson score that touchdown, I wasn't really worried about it."

Then UC came right back.

"I don't know what to say," said Carr, with a tired and curious gaze. "It was ugly, but we came out and got it done."

The Rebels snapped the ball 21 times in the final frame, marched 206 yards and scored 21 points. That pretty much says it all. And in the final drive, MHS used up nearly four minutes of a nine-play, 69-yard drive for victory.

"On that last drive," said Carr, "I knew it was over. They called that time out and I knew we had it. It's amazing what this team can do."

Senior receiver Clint Kee, who pointed to the sky even before the game began, offered a bit of a metaphysical explanation.

"God was with us," he said. "I knew it before the game. We picked it up, especially with all the old players here."

Kee finished with four catches for 61 yards.

Rebel senior tailback Tyler Moore had 24 carries for 180 yards and three touchdowns. He played the senior card once again.

"It's my senior year and last time to play them," he said. "When we got behind, I was very concerned. It was time to step it up. We got in the zone and that was our mindset."

Senior receiver Rusty Chapman, who had six grabs for 95 yards, said giving UC that much latitude was dangerous.

"After the first half, they started feeling good about themselves," he said. "They didn't want to go down without a fight, so we just went to our bread and butter and pounded the rock and went all the way down the field."

"We were flat at the beginning of the game," said Carr. "I don't know why. Maybe because we had to sit in the locker room longer than we usually do, but we showed heart tonight and got it done."