By JIM STEELE
Look at these numbers: 8-7, 15-1, 4-3, 10-0, 4-2, 1-0.
No, these aren't Saturday's Lotto numbers. They aren't Roger Federer's recent tennis scores. You won't likely see these combinations in a fortune cookie. It's not even Sudoku. Folks, the numbers on the left sides of those hyphens represent Huntingdon, the right side McKenzie. They are scores of the last six baseball contests between MHS and the Mustangs going back to May of 2006.
That's right, the Mustangs have beaten the Rebels six straight times. Going back to that thrilling Region 7A championship game at McKenzie City Park (that oddly enough may have helped the Rebels by putting them opposite Forrest at the state tournament), where the Rebels lost 8-7, Huntingdon, judging by the numbers, indeed, has had the Rebels' number.
But let's not forget one thing. It's not like McKenzie's the only team to have lost to Huntingdon. The Mustangs have had one of the best Class A teams in the state over the last six seasons. They have reached state three times in that span. It's not like Huntingdon has had a lousy team. They've beaten a lot of people during that interval.
However, McKenzie has had a good team, too. In that Region 7A final of 2006, Huntingdon was ready to play and McKenzie made a gallant attempt. It was very much like that Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, where Boston beat Cincinnati in 7-6 in the bottom of the 12th. Fierce competitor Pete Rose came off the field saying that was the best game he'd ever played in, even though his team lost. That 2006 final was one of those games. It was just a great baseball game. Yeah, you hated to lose, but the team's spirit was boosted as a result of that game. And it wasn't a do-or-die affair, either. The Rebels would live to fight again another day, as Adamsville, Trousdale County, Summertown and eventually Forrest found out.
Beating JCS 9-1 earlier this week and avenging last year's season-ending substate loss has certainly animated the demeanor of this team. The atmosphere is positive and reminscent of what went on two years ago. I have seen renewed vigor, a refocus and talk of the state tournament. Watching the Rebels pound Greenfield 17-4 Thursday, their fifth win in a row, brought a chill up and down my spine. There was an extra hop in the step and the dugout was bubbly. It was just fun to watch, fun to be around.
McKenzie has shown flashes of brilliance this year, having beaten the likes of South Side, Jackson Christian School and Ripley. In the spirit of being positive, I won't further outline the deficiencies, but there have been some horrid losses. But the JCS game may have been sort of a rennaisance game for this team. It seems the Rebels have been reborn...and just in time.
The Rebels could further solidify their standing in West Tennessee, where they have been largely ignored, by halting Huntingdon's baseball fortune against them. Yes, this is a rivalry game, so the stakes will be high, but more than that, it's a district game, which raises the stakes even more.
Some say that Huntingdon's best day's are behind it. Gone are hurlers like Spencer Clifft and Cody Crocker. Brandon McCormick is in a Bethel uniform. All-staters like Matt Spellings and Brian Nellett are long gone. But those who think the Mustangs are a second-rate team as a result are sadly mistaken. Huntingdon will face the Rebels with a lot of resolve. Beating the Mustangs won't be easy. But it can be done.
The Rebels are starting to hit now. There is power up and down the lineup. In the middle of the lineup is a smoldering powderkeg in the name of Tyler Reeder, who is due to explode for his first (and perhaps second and third and fourth) homer of the season. The top of the rotation is due to face Huntingdon. Clint Kee is 5-0 with 65 striekouts already this year. Parker Jones's pitching has gotten stronger. This team is carving its identity not just as a good team in District 13A, but a West Tennessee power.
A sweep of the Mustangs could solidify McKenzie's place as that powerhouse. A season sweep of the Mustangs could suggest that the Rebels are in line to run the table...and I am including tournaments, too. That's how high the stakes are.
Huntingdon will do everything it can to prevent that from happening. I do believe the Rebels will be up to the task. They finally have that look. But it doesn't matter what I think. All that matters is what happens on the field. What are the Rebels made of? We'll find out soon enough.