By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

ATWOOD - After McKenzie's 68-0 victory at West Carroll Friday night, McKenzie senior Tyler Moore said football practice has taken another step. So, too, may the Rebels.

The Rebels showed no signs of complacency against the 1-7 War Eagles when they perhaps could have. But Moore insisted that the Rebels are going outside of the bubble at practice, working not just for West Carroll, but for a playoff run.

"We're practicing for the playoffs and we have been practicing hard every day," he said. "We don't want to get put out in the second round again."

The Rebels kept pouring it on on both sides of the ball: "Our intensity was high all game," Moore said.

Rebel captain Tyler Reeder said that the McKenzie team was a bit unfocused in the locker room, but that soon changed.

"We were in here laughing, joking and cutting up and we weren't taking anything seriously," Reeder said. "We got them quiet and told them to get focused on what they had to do. On any given night anyone can get beat, so we had to be serious."

And once McKenzie found its focus, it never turned loose.

"We played good ball tonight," Reeder said. "We didn't take advantage of all our opportunities tonight, but we played well."

"We had to step it up tonight," said senior Shabree Payne. "We know we have to prepare for the playoffs and get better every week. We played really hard and our intensity was high. We didn't take the week off."

North Side import John Campbell agreed with Moore, Reeder and Payne.

"We have to try to get ready for state and coach has been practicing us hard," Campbell said. "This week we got after it every single day. Tonight we had great defensive calling and a lot of hitting a practice this week."

Senior quarterback Derek Carr said attention to detail was important.

"We came out and executed and that's what we did," he said. "Every week, we practice to get better, we practice for the next level."

B-TEAM A-PLUS EFFORT: Part of the reason for McKenzie's success this year has been the effort of the junior varsity team. It hasn't just gotten better itself, it's made the varsity team better, too.

Junior Jacob Fussell, who made his first start at inside linebacker, and was very effective there, credited the JV with his improvement.

"They've gotten so much better and that helped us," Fussell said. "We got better because they got better."

"They are our scout team," said Reeder. "It's great to have them because they are getting better and they get to practice against the varsity level every day, not just a good team every Friday."

FUSSELL EN FUEGO: McKenzie junior Jacob Fussell led McKenzie defensively with six tackles, one for loss and a fumble recovery. To say he was physical against West Carroll is sort of like saying Britney Spears is unstable. He blasted away a War Eagles all night.

"It was fun out there tonight, but we worked hard in practice and I think I got a lot better," said Fussell of his effort. "I knew I could do it (play like that) but haven't done it yet. We had one of our hardest practices this week because we have to get better through the playoffs."

Fussell's intensity drew praise from teammates, too.

"He was lighting up people," said Campbell with a big smile. "It was his first game at inside linebacker and he did real good."

"He was pretty anxious and ready to play," Reeder said. "All week at practice he did well."

CHAPMAN HAS BIG NIGHT: McKenzie senior receiver Rusty Chapman had another big night bringing down passes from Carr. He had six catches for 104 yards which is the seventh best receiving performance in MHS history.

MOORE, MOORE, MOORE: McKenzie senior running back Tyler Moore had 100 yards and three TDs against the War Eagles. His effort has been steadily improving.

"I came out and ran hard and I wanted to try to make a difference," Moore said. "The touchdowns wouldn't be possible without the line."

"Tyler picked it up, hit the line hard and when he gets through, he's gone," Carr said. "He's finishing runs and hitting the holes."

COLEMAN sCORES: McKenzie senior Travis Coleman got the call from the 1 in the Rebels' victory at West Carroll and scored his first varsity touchdown.

"They wedged down and there wasn't much of a hole, so I sort of had to make one myself," said Coleman with a grin. "It was good, the line did good."

ADAMS PLEASES SUPPORTING CAST: McKenzie freshman Eric Adams put forth his effort at West Carroll Friday night. He said he wasn't the only one pleased at his PT.

"My mom was happy," he said. "I was glad my friends were happy, too. I went in there block and help out."

UP NEXT: McKenzie hosts Lake County in a crucial Region 7A battle at Rebel Field. Kickoff is 7:30 Friday night, Oct. 26. A Rebel victory would lock up a second-straight regional title. McKenzie has defeated the Falcons two straight times and lead the series 4-3. McKenzie will recognize its seniors in pre-game ceremonies. Lake County defeated South Fulton 42-26 Friday night.