From the
Upper Deck
Rebels Must
Focus To
Claim Win
By Jim Steele
steele@mckenziebanner.com |
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Was it surprising that Region 5-2A struggled mightily
against 6-2A clubs? Not really. It has been going on
pretty regularly for the past three years.
Was it surprising that 7A swept 8A? I think so.
Region 7A isn't the region it has been, though JCS is
pretty good and USJ is, well, USJ. I honestly thought
West Carroll had a chance to make a healthy November
run. Those kids shouldn't have their heads down. The War
Eagles brought unspeakable excitement to their
communities. Look for more good things from them in the
future.
As for Huntingdon, the Mustangs have an unenviable
task. They have to face Chester County at Paul Ward
Stadium this Friday night. This will be the second
meeting between these two teams. Chester County played
the Mustangs tough in Week 3, but lost 27-21. It's
always tough playing someone twice, but Huntingdon is a
much better team than it was nine weeks ago.
Meanwhile, McKenzie has an arduous task in its hands
as well. The Rebels will travel to Lewis County and face
a pack of vengeance-minded Panthers. Lewis County
remembers all too well how the past two seasons have
ended. The losses have red and gray fingerprints all
over them.
Two years ago, McKenzie stunned then-No. 1 Lewis
County 42-14 in Hohenwald during the 2A quarterfinals.
Last year, in the 2A quartefinals at Rebel Field, the
Rebels marched 87 yards in the final 3:38 to top the
Panthers 16-13, ending their campaign abruptly.
While a glance at the sports pages Saturday shows a
fortuitous 13-12 victory over upstart Camden last
Friday, the Rebels can't count on the Panthers being an
inferior opponent.
If McKenzie goes to Lewis County expecting a
cakewalk, it will leave flat as a pancake. If it goes to
Lewis County expecting to play one of the elite teams in
the state, they'll do well. The Rebels MUST maintain
intensity. They must be focused. They must he ready to
play the toughest game of the year.
Lewis County remembers. It has had to live with a red
and gray tattoo on its backside for the past two years.
The Panthers will be ready. Their one goal this year is
ending McKenzie's season.
What say you, Rebels?
As for the next levels, Miami ought to consider not
playing Tennessee on the same weekend. The Tennessee
Vols knocked out the University of Miami 10-6 while the
Tennessee Titans dumped the Miami Dolphins. It was a bad
Saturday and Sunday for South Florida.
Regarding the Vols: where has this effort been all
season? It angers me even more about the performances
with Auburn and Georgia.
Like I've said all along, never bet for or against
Tennessee ever. They'll make you miserable.
As for my prowess last week, I was 16-8. For the
season, I'm 194 of 249. That's 77.2 percent. I'm
sliding. Maybe there is recovery in sight. Here's to
this week's fare:
McKenzie over Lewis County: Different year, same
result. McKenzie should win...big.
Huntingdon over Chester Co.: This will be a tough
game for a half, but the Mustangs are rolling.
Tennessee over Mississippi State: Unless there's a
letdown for Tennessee.
Bethel over Georgetown: The Wildcats finish on a
positive note at home.
In other action, I see:
Melrose over Hardin Co., JCM over Dyersburg, Obion
Central over Brighton, Ripley over Covington, Crockett
Co. over Page, Carver over Treadwell, Milan over
Mitchell, USJ over Trinity and JCS over Fayette Academy.
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