Dixie Hollins coach Mike Morey built his team's offense around one player last year, a move that backfired when the talented Kevin Marion was injured before the season even started.
This year, he has built it around four.
Try injuring that.
With a more balanced attack, the Rebels have rebounded from one of their ugliest seasons in recent memory. Tonight, they take on Dunedin in a Class 4A, District 9 game that proves bigger than anyone imagined.
Last year, injuries ravaged the Rebels, resulting in five losses by shutout. Marion's absence, and that of quarterback Mike Martin after the third week, left Dixie punchless. "We just did not have the ability to score," Morey said. "We had no big-play threat at all. We were grinders and didn't have the offensive line for that, and people knew it."
Now teams must pick their poison among fullbacks Dan Puckett and Scott Klinesmith, wingback Donnie Grant and Martin. Combined, the quartet has run for more than 900 yards and nine touchdowns. (Last year, the Rebels gained only 1,243 yards in 10 games.)
As for grinding it out, the Rebels can pound the ball with the best of them. In Week 1, they scored all five touchdowns from 5 yards or shorter. But since, the Rebels have proved the big play is back in their arsenal, scoring five of their past seven touchdowns from 28 yards out or farther. Combined with a defense that has scored twice on interception returns and is stingier than its 19th-ranked standing suggests, the Rebels are a step away from being a legitimate district title contender.
Dunedin, ranked No. 1 in the Times county poll, stands in the way.
"We knew we were capable of this, but the one thing we lacked over the past couple of years is we haven't had any confidence," Morey said. "When you believe you can do something, it's easy to be more successful. "
