The Skinny
The Hephzibah Rebels enter the 2018 season with some holes to fill on both sides of the football. Coach William Harrell is in his 3rd season at Hephzibah and is holding his Rebels to a high standard. Coach Harrell was honored as the Region Coach of the Year in 2017. This year, the Rebels drop down two classifications, but there are still some questions to be answered. We asked coach Harrell about some of the biggest challenges this season for the Rebels.
“(We are) starting a new QB; (and) replacing half of our defensive starters,” Coach Harrell said.
While the Rebels will be looking for a new quarterback, they do return their top running back, Rayquan Riley (1,028 yards 10 TDs). Riley was a First Team All-Region selection in 2017. Riley will have a familiar face leading the way as fellow First Team All-Region offensive lineman Corby McIntyre returns for his senior season. Expect the offensive line to get a boost from MacKenzie Woodruff. The Rebel’s also return E’Shawn Mayes, their leading wide receiver from a year ago.
The Rebels return First Team All-Region linebacker Gregg Williamson. Williamson was second on the team in tackles last season. KaShawn Morris will help shore up the defensive secondary.
While all region games are important. The October 20thgame versus Laney is a game the Rebels will be looking forward to. Laney has dominated the series, but this season could be a turning point.
With regards to goals and success for this season, we go back to our ‘high standards’ comment we made earlier. Coach Harrell told us how his team would define success this season.
“Playoff berth and going past the 1st Round of the Playoffs,” said coach Harrell.
The Rebels will have some tough competition in region play with the likes of Jefferson County and Screven County. But they could have just enough talent to achieve those goals.
