By JIM STEELE
mckenzierebels.com

McKenzie Middle School football coach Brad Chappell wasn't sure how his team was going to respond after beating Huntingdon 22-12 Tuesday night.

Greenfield was in town 48 hours after the Huntingdon kickoff and ready to play its second game of the season. McKenzie, having dealt with the Mustangs, bumps, bruises and oppressive heat, was ready to play its second game in three days.

But the Rebels were on a mission. They had this date with the Yellow Jackets circled on the calendar for a year. Last year, after the Rebels 26-0 win at Huntingdon, they traveled to Greenfield's Harris Field and suffered a stunning 12-8 loss. This year, McKenzie had something to prove, in spite of the heat and the tight schedule. The Rebels jumped on Greenfield early, often and came away with an impressive 30-0 victory.

"I was realy worried about tonight," said Chappell, with a grin of relief on his face. "It would have been nice to have jumped on Huntingdon early and then get to play some of our younger kids, but they made us play them all four quarters."

Then Greenfield showed up Thursday night.

"We were tired and sore and it has been 110 degrees outside," he said. "I'm really pleased. Our kids have been talking about this game for 364 days, at weights, last spring, during summer, all our kids have talked about was this game tonight."

Colin Vinson had three touchdowns, rushed for 106 yards and had an interception as he helped the Rebels forge a 24-0 lead by halftime. But it was an inauspicious start for McKenzie. On the fourth play of the game, the Rebels fumbled the ball away. But Greenfield coughed it right back up to McKenzie and the Rebels made the Jackets pay.

Luke Robertson bolted 25 yards down the right sideline on a broken play and Vinson rocketed up the middle for a 39-yard TD surge with 5:54 to play in the first. Vinson ran in the PAT and McKenzie was up 8-0.

Devin Watkins recovered another Greenfield fumble and McKenzie took over on the Jacket 15. Despite being up close and personal with the uprights, McKenzie's drive sputtered and Greenfield took over with its back against the wall. The field position led to McKenzie's next score.

Two possessions later, Robertson found Matt Eaton for an 8-yard gain, then Vinson raced 49 yards for the score. Robertson ran in the PAT and with 5:11 to play in the half, MMS led 16-0. The Rebels weren't done. Neither was Vinson.

After seventh-grader Storme Hilliard's 33-yard run, Vinson was off to the end zone, diving over the pylon with 1:18 to play in the half. Robertson connected with Michael Curry for the PAT pass and the Rebels were well ahead 24-0 at the break.

McKenzie let its youth movement take part in the second half and on the last Rebel drive, Bishop Williams scored his second touchdown of the season, this one coming from the 6 with :58 to play. The conversion attempt failed.

"They were bringing a lot of people and we adjusted and we were able to break a few long runs," Chappell said. "When we picked up their blitz, we made some big plays."

Chappell had hoped to get a lead early, build some depth and let his youngsters play. Mission accomplished: "That was a key for us."

Chappell said he was pleased with the play of Miguel Calderon, Curry, Jess Twyman. "Twyman played much better on defense; Calderon and Curry each had a good game."

Now it's time for a break and then the Rebels entertain Hollow Rock-Bruceton next Thursday night at Rebel Field. Tentative kickoff time is 6:30, pending the weather.

"I'm glad to get out of the hot week with two wins," Chappell said.