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Sunday, July 1, 2007
Can the Rebels Grab Last Season’s Magic?
Western Arkansas, AR
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Photo(s) By: Kyle Danztler/MyActionPortraits.com
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Jeff Williams enters his XXth year as head coach of the Southside Rebels and already has one title under his belt. After losing 18 starters to graduation, will coach Williams and the Rebels regroup and come back as strong as they were just a season ago?
HSSTM: Coach, how tough is it to lose that many starters in one season and then have to come back the next year with the same high expectations from a year ago?
Williams: It’s never easy to lose that many kids, but regardless of the numbers we have to show up for every game and expect to compete. We lost some real talent, but our younger guys can fill those gaps. They need to mature real fast.
HSSTM: It’s the little things that veteran guys do that make having a team of seniors such a luxury. What are you lacking in the most right now?
Williams: Maturity. We have a ton of kids out for football, but we’re young. We literally have a battle at every position this year. One thing we don’t lack in is depth.
HSSTM: Now that you have the bulls-eye on your chest and you expect to get everyone’s best game, how do you prepare the kids for that and how do you want to see them respond?
Williams: We tell them to take it one game at a time and prepare for your opponent. This is a tough conference and any team can jump up and hang a loss on you if you’re not prepared. Our coaching staff does a tremendous job of getting our guys ready for game day.
HSSTM: How deep are you this season?
Williams: We had 160 kids come out for football. That might be the most this school has ever had. We also made great strides in the weight room. The kids have worked really hard this off-season and it will pay off down the road.
HSSTM: Just how tough is this conference?
Williams: It’s balanced. The team that stays injury free for the most part and can improve from week to week will be successful. Playing well down the stretch is key. Every game is a big game.
HSSTM: Give me some names of a few guys we should watch for this season.
Williams: Daniel McGee, Anthony Warren, Nathan Norman, Thomas Biocic and Hayden Rosentretter are all expected to be difference makers for us this season. Caleb Pevehouse, Sammy Schlieff and Chandler Washington should have big years, too. We have another handful of guys that are play makers and will have huge impacts on the season.
HSSTM: Talk about the importance of your coaching staff.
Williams: Well, these guys just get it done. Keith Fimple, Tadd Stewart, Justin Key and Steve Peoples make my job so much easier. Travis Biggs, Kevin Tiffee, and Brooks Witherspoon have important roles as well. And our trainer, Brent Griffs.
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