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Season Preview
After falling short of the WSFL Championship appearance for the 3rd year in a row the Rebels are hungry to return to the top of the heap in the league. Last year’s exit was particularly unsavory as the Rebels fell to the Washington County Untouchables on the last play of the playoff semi-final game when Manny Mills of Washington County inched over the goal line for the 2 point conversion with time expired to give the Untouchables the 1 point victory. The game was loaded with crushing hits and all varieties of football fireworks—the type game the Rebels are accustomed to winning. That stinging loss has driven the Rebels all off-season to practice more, workout harder, and recruit more deliberately to return to Rebels form from past seasons. Teams in the league can thank Manny Mills and the Untouchables for motivating the Rebels to improve team chemistry and toughness, and resume their position in the league as one of the roughest, hardest hitting in the league, and a threat to take the championship.

A preview of the WSFL shows promise that the “cellar dweller” teams have improved greatly, and the days of 73-0 blowouts are over. The league boasts strong-new teams, the Titans have improved off-season effort, and the Cyclones and Rattlers have merged to create what should be a formidable team. The Rebels have added 17 new players to keep pace. There is a distinct Lakeland College flavor with additions of Mr. Q (Jarred Querio), Jared “manbeast” Martin, Joey O’Brien,Chris Daun, and the man no QB will throw on Keith Woodson. The Rebels also welcome back long time veterans Santino Laster, Corey Roberson, and Calvin Thomas. This trio has not only been impressive in the preseason with their play, but with their experience and leadership have helped to re-instill discipline to the team. The Rebels didn’t just look to Lakeland College, Roman Trimberger could lead team in INT’s playing opposite Woodson on the corner, Adam Gilson and Kyle Heim look to be solid contributors on OL and DL. Dusty Vlies (winner of the Defensive Rookie of the year award for Fon duLac Crusaders last year) was wrestled away and will join his brother John Wagner who serves as player, coach, motivational leader, and all around team kook.

The Defense has had to say goodbye to longtime Rebels standout defender Robert McNitt, and the underrated Dustin Soerens. Both these players were game changers yet the defense looks to be improved overall. That is bad news for the rest of the league since the Rebels Defense is one of the top 3 stingiest every year already. Nick Bainter returns from injury, most of the new recruits are on the Defensive side of the ball, and the team has switched from a “read and flow” to more of an attacking philosophy. Sacks will come fast and often as Rance Jones, David Benton, Sean Henry, Josh Bardon, John Wagner, Jeremy Jacobs, George Burt and Jamil Moore all show ability to rush consistently from anywhere on the field. Should an opponent reach our secondary, they will be reminded that the “human missile”, Tyler Holschbach still patrols our backfield, and has been joined by the athletically gifted Jamil Moore. (Count your teeth when you get up).

Offense has matched the defense’s improvement, but has done so largely from within. Jeff DeBlaey continues to improve with age, and with Chris Cox held a rigorous workout regimen attended by the suddenly hulking (by red head standards) Alex Nesemann and Nick Bainter. The strong and cerebral Mike Kruis returns to bookend the Tackle position with Tyler Courtright who just plays downright mean. Drew TenPas also returns his fiery athleticism to round out the Offensive line. Brad Dobson has worked all off-season to bond with exceptional WR’s Cortney Gatlin, Tyler Hau, and Rodney Ellison and All-League TE Marcus Ninnemann looks like he should retain that title. Paul Widder, the team’s bruising back, will have support from a bevy of backs (Laster, Calvin Thomas, Ricky Canon, Skyler Ebbers, Kevan Rivera) who should keep him fresher through the season. Alex Nesemann will also find breaks from all the Knuckle dragging at Fullback with backups Santino Laster and DL/LB Jarred Querio. The Rebels will score in bunches this year with the ability to grind out a game or score in a single play.

With the Special Teams returning both Tyler Hau and Cortney Gatlin, the offense may never take the field as these returners have the ability to take-it-to-the-house at any time. Teams will continue to play Wylie Coyote to Gatlin’s Road Runner, or Sylvester the Cat to Hau’s Speedy Gonzalez. Historically Special Teams has been a training grounds for new or developmental players, this year the Rebels have the luxury of playing legitimate players on this team.

It will be an exciting year. There is good balance between the veteran and rookie talent, and the Rebels are hungry, motivated, unified to reclaim the WSFL title.