After losing a number of seniors from last year’s Division II State Championship squad, the Rebel Football team returns to the super bowl. Although, this year’s football team returned only six seniors, the squad has accomplished an even more impressive campaign than last year’s team.
During the regular season the Rebels went 6-0, the best record in Division II, including a very impressive non-league win against Bishop Hendricken to kick off the season.
After impressive playoff wins against Warwick Vets and Toll Gate, the Rebels are back in the Division II State Championship.
First year Head coach Eric Anderson is off to a great start in his head coaching career. After joining the team as an assistant coach in 2003, he coached the JV and freshman teams the last five years before taking over the head coaching job this year.
According to middle linebacker and senior captain Derrick Stanton, “The key to our team is playing as a team. Rather than just one or two really great players, we play as a unit instead of individually.”
“We expected to be successful,” said Anderson. “I don’t know if we thought we would be this successful.”
This year’s team is led by the seniors on the team. The seniors include running backs Tim Hazard and Kane Noka, linebacker Derrick Stanton and linemen in Nathan Nascenzi and Vincent Grasso.
The offense is led by senior All-Stater Tim Hazard who leads the team with 16 rushing touchdowns and is third in the state with 1388 rushing yards according to MaxPreps.com. Hazard is known for using his finesse to run through the middle of opposing defenses, never afraid to take a hit.
Another force on the offense is Kane Noka, the senior running back, who uses his quickness to get to the outside, therefore being highly capable of coming up with big runs down the sideline for the Rebels. Noka has gained 800 yards on the ground and scored 5 touchowns.
The defense is anchored by senior linebacker Derrick Stanton. The middle linebacker leads the state with 125 tackles and 10.4 a game, punishing the opposing running back every time he carries the ball.
Another key member on the defensive end is Vincent Grasso. The senior lineman disrupts the other teams running game and pressures the quarterback. He is also second on the team with 74 tackles.
After graduating a lot of seniors, the Rebels needed this year’s juniors to step up and take their spots.
“I coached them on the JV and freshman teams so I knew what to expect from them this year,” explained Anderson.
A lot of the juniors did just that. After starting at quarterback as a sophomore, Ben Hamill is even more efficient this year after a year of experience and able to run an explosive offense. He has accumulated 979 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. The Rebels have also gotten great contributions from wide receivers Pat Gee and Ty Stromley, tight ends Justin Favreau and Zach LeValley, running back Pat Franco and lineman Matt LeValley.
All of these players help the Rebels in their Wing T offense.
The Wing T offense consists of all three running backs in Hazard, Noka and Franco, placed in prime locations for counters, fakes and other misdirection plays. According to Anderson, the offense helps the Rebels establish their efficient running game which makes them so successful.
The receivers are either overloaded or performing quick crossing patterns, therefore having the potential for a great passing formation.
“We run this offense because the guys are familiar with it,” said Anderson. “They’ve played it ever since I’ve been here and I try to take it to the next level.”
This offense gives the Rebels the potential for long runs down the sideline or scrambles up the middle.
Although the Rebel’s offense is strong, the defense has prevented big plays and stifled opponents.
“Our motto all year has been ‘bend but don’t break’,” explained Stanton. “We don’t give up the big plays.”
If someone does something wrong, we don’t worry. We focus on our positions and stopping the next play.”
The Rebels have come out on top in numerous defensive battles that include a 7-0 win against Toll Gate, a 14-6 overtime win against Cranston East, a 14-12 win over Coventry and a 12-0 win over Bishop Hendricken.
In last week’s semifinal win against Toll Gate, the defense allowed only one score. The other two came against special teams.
With the combination of a strong running game and tough defense, the Rebels have another chance at the State Championship.
“Last year we had more ups and downs,” said Anderson, “This year we have been very successful and there is more pressure for us to do well in the playoffs.”