Preps 2006

Rebels build on past success

By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 25, 2006

	[Times photo: William Dunkley]
	Jamar McKinney is one of several running backs vying for playing time in the Rebels' backfield. McKinney is also being counted on in the secondary for Dixie Hollins.

ST. PETERSBURG - Not until this moment had Dixie Hollins players heard their fans rise like this, howling as they did with seconds remaining in the game.

The scene took place during the Rebels' 21-7 victory over Countryside in the Class 5A region quarterfinals. It was the first time Dixie Hollins won a playoff game since 1996.

Now the Rebels have loftier goals. They want to win a district title and advance farther in the playoffs.

Trouble is, they'll have to do that without many of the players that helped restore the program's luster. Dixie Hollins only has three returning starters on offense and two on defense.

The biggest losses come on both sides of the line. The Rebels had hulking players who could drive block on offense and occupy space on defense.

"I felt like we kind of turned the corner last season," Dixie Hollins coach Mike Morey said. "We feel like we have kids who can play. They just don't have varsity experience."

ON THE GROUND: The focus of last year's offense was guileless runs behind a bruising, churning line that averaged 280 pounds per man.

James Boger, Tony Leverso and Carlos Martinez, anchors on last year's line, all graduated.

That caused some massive shuffling. Eaven Sokolewicz, a guard, is the lone returning starter. The other guard is Matt Diefenbach. Ryan Burke and Steven Reynolds are the tackles. Josh Stevens is the center.

Nick Mayorga is the team's top returning rusher and receiver. Travis Williams, another returner, is capable of breaking long gains. Others vying for carries include Jason Cole, Jamar McKinney and Marques Burks.

THROUGH THE AIR: Josh Brown, the junior varsity quarterback last season, is the prototypical dual-threat field general. He showed what he can do in the spring game, running for one touchdown and throwing for another.

He'll compete for the starting job with David Stanton and David Saurini. If Brown isn't the quarterback, he'll play receiver, along with Jerraard Atkins and Mike Martin.

DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE! The Rebels have switched to a 3-5 alignment to take advantage of its plethora of linebackers, which includes Cole, Diefenbach and Chris Pelkey. The secondary is solid with Williams, Mayorga, McKinney, Ja-Far Fortt and Andrews Marte.

The biggest question is the line. Burke and Shadowe Soloman are penciled in as starters. Morey is trying to get a fifth year of eligibility for Mike Day.

JUST FOR KICKS: Zack Hershberger and Marc Paetzold are battling for placekicking duties. Keith Stanton will punt.

[Last modified August 23, 2006, 13:36:05]