By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

GLEASON - Kickoff was less than 10 minutes away, the Gleason Bulldogs were warming up on the field and the McKenzie Rebels hadn't shown up yet.

The bus arrived, of course, in time for kickoff (McKenzie did their pre-game warm-up at McKenzie, just eight miles away), but nearly four minutes into the first quarter of their middle school game with the host Bulldogs, it seemed the Rebels still hadn't shown up. Gleason took the fight to MMS in the first few minutes.

But the Rebels showed their true red and gray colors in the final 4:24 of the first, scoring on the first play of the second quarter. MMS unlatched itself from the doldrums to post a 41-0 victory over the Gleason Bulldogs. It marked the Rebels' eighth straight victory going back to last year's 22-6 Lakewood triumph and are 6-0 on the season. Even more impressive is that the Rebels haven't been scored on in almost two-and-a-half hours. Huntingdon's kickoff return to start the second half was the last time the Rebs had been scored upon. In the last 143:18, MMS has been baking bagels.

"It wasn't our best game, we were a little flat coming out," said MMS coach Brad Chappell. "But overall, I was pretty pleased. I wish we were more consistent, but I saw a lot of good things."

A couple of the good things perhaps? Colin Vinson rushed seven times for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Curry kicked an extra point, the first such conversion in four years. Chance Flippin ended the game with an 80-yard burst for a score.

McKenzie's front took control of the game in the second frame and forced the issue: "We played well up front," said Chappell.

The Rebels marched 49 yards in nine plays ending in Storme Hilliard's 27-yard run. Vinson added the conversion run for an 8-0 lead at the 7:50 mark of the second. Just over a minute later, Vinson ran it in from 31 yards. Luke Robertson punched in the deuce and with 5:08 to play in the half, MMS led 16-0. With 2:34 to play in the half, Robertson powered his way into the end zone and Curry booted the PAT. MMS led 23-0 at the half.

"We kicked a PAT tonight, which I was pleased with," said Chappell. "We missed two others, but we made the one and it's something we have in our playbook, but we just haven't had time to work on it."

With the return of assistant coach Mark Stenburg from illness, the Rebels were able to spend more time on scoring kicks.

The Rebels needed little time to add to the score in the second half. With 6:47 to play in the third, Vinson bolted 45 yards for a touchdown. The run failed, but MMS led 29-0. With 2:36 to play, Curry raced around the right side for the 26-yard touchdown run. The kick failed, but McKenzie led 35-0.

Gleason drove down to the McKenzie 17 late in the fourth but turned the ball over on downs. On fourth-and-3 with just seconds remaining, Flippin got the call and surged up the middle and then outran Gleason's defense for an 80-yard game-ending score.

"We made some good blocks tonight," Chappell said. "Matt Eaton made a good block on an extra point and on Vinson's long run, he made a huge block a textbook block; Twyman made another great block and two players actually tackled him."

Taylor Patterson, who recovered a fumble and had a pair of tackles, drew praise from Chappell.

"He had a good game and blocked well tonight," the coach said.

Sam Cosby led the Bulldogs on the ground with 11 carries for 35 yards. Quarterback Blake Taylor was 3-7 for 44 yards. Robert Taylor intercepted one of his passes, setting up a touchdown. Thomas Fowler had one catch for 28 yards to lead Gleason. Defensively, Cosby had six stops, Jay Lowrance had five. Cole Verdell had two returns for 23 yards.

McKenzie's Robertson was 2-6 for 14 yards passing. Michael Chadwick had both grabs. Hilliard had four carries for 71 yards. Defensively, Vinson had six stops woth one for loss. T.J. Cook had five stops with a quarterback hurry, a sack and three tackles for loss. Devin Watkins had a sack among his four stops.

McKenzie will have a short week to prepare for Milan. McKenzie travels to Johnnie Hale Stadium 6:30 Tuesday night.