(photo/Develon Isom)

(St. George, UT) – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference named Dixie State College running back Jesse Ence as the Offensive Player of the Week for his all around performance in the Red Storm’s 42-7 win over Simon Fraser University Saturday.

The senior running back accrued 155 all-purpose yards, 76 rushing yards on 15 attempts, and 79 receiving yards (three receptions).

(photo/Todd Ellis)

Ence scored on a 72-yard TD reception in the second quarter and rushed for a three-yarder in the third quarter.

He is the second Red Storm player to garner GNAC recognition this season. DSC safety Cache Morgan received defensive accolades in week one after leading the nation with 17 tackles.

(photo/Todd Ellis)

Two Western Oregon defensive players, Bryce Peila and Scotland Foss, split the Defensive Player of the Week award. WOU forced five turnovers in a big 14-7 win over Central Washington.

Dixie State College hosts Western Oregon on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. at Hansen Stadium in St. George.

The first 22 minutes of the RMFL AAA championship at Walt Brooks Stadium was a contest representative of the Wasatch Revolution and Dixie Rebels’ combined 19-1 record.

However, Dixie’s defense did their usual thing and forced Wasatch turnovers to gain control, ultimately winning the game 41-18 and capturing the Neumeier Trophy. The same players, who made up the 2010 RMFL champion St. George Blitz team, made it back-to-back RMFL titles, this time as the Rebels.

Doug Cook (co-owner) and fullback Sione Tapuosi proudly show off the Nuemeier Trophy

The Rebels’ defense was superb against the high-poweredRevolution offense. Dixie forced six turnovers in all, had six sacks, and
blocked one PAT.

Their offense was just as impressive. Dixie stayed true to its power-oriented attack by rushing the ball 33 times for 199 yards and four touchdowns. Comparatively, Wasatch rushed five times for 53 yards.

The punch in the ground game mostly came from Rebels quarterback Diarra Fields and running back Dallas Irvin. Irvin ran 16 times for 88 yards and one touchdown, while the dynamic Fields added 74 yards on 12 rushes, and two touchdowns.

Fields also replicated his efficient passing play that makes him the favorite for winning the league’s season MVP award. He connected on 10-of-18 passes for 178 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown to Skyler Ence that started the momentum for the Rebels where they never looked back.

Fields combined 252 yards and three touchdowns (one interception) did not give him the nod for the game’s MVP award though.

Rebels’ Steve Pulver was named the game’s MVP. Pulver is Dixie’s kicker and plays cornerback. Besides nailing a 47-yard field goal, and a 28-yarder, he drilled all five PAT’s, and he intercepted Wasatch’s Charlie Peterson twice. Then, he jumped on a fumble caused by Rebels’ Vince Feula to add a fumble recovery to his stat sheet.

Pulver: Five PATs, two field goals kicked, two interceptions, one fumble recovery. Not a bad day’s work for a kicker/cornerback.While surrounded by about 10 kids asking for his autograph, the humble Pulver said, “That’s awesome (about being named the MVP).

“They announced that I was a kicker, but Wayne, our owner said ‘he’s not a kicker, he’s a corner.’”

“I thank the team for backing me up.”

MVP Steve Pulver with a couple of his fans, Austin (7) and Tristan (5).

RMFL president and Commissioner Travis Hobson noted the game attendance, estimated to be from 2500 to 3000 people.

“I would say there was probably three thousand people at this game,” Hobson said. “It was something to behold. I told our league vice-president, ‘you wouldn’t believe the venue down here.’

“The field was perfect. The weather was perfect. And to have three thousand people screaming and hollering, it was impressive.”

DIXIE 41, WASATCH 18

Revolution      0          6          0          12    <    18
Rebels             0          17        17         7      <    41
Second quarter
D  < Ence 46 pass from Fields (Pulver kick)
W < Lang 102 kick return (kick failed)
D  < Pulver 47 field goal
D < Fields 3 run (Pulver kick)

Third quarter
D < Pulver 28 field goal
D < Fields 1 run (Pulver kick)
D < Irvin 1 run (Pulver kick)

Fourth quarter
W < Wagner 44 pass from Peterson (two-point failed)
D  < Mapu 16 run (Pulver kick)
W < Dawson 20 pass from Peterson (kick failed)

Life isn’t fair, neither is football in the Rocky Mountain
Football League.

Dixie cruised through the Magic Valley Bulldawgs 69-6 by
finding the end zone a remarkable 10 times (nine different Rebels scored
touchdowns).

The Rebels’ defense got the basketball score started by
linebacker Doug Roberts and d-lineman Vince Feula’s interception returns for
touchdowns creating a 14-0 lead halfway through the first quarter. Dixie’s
offense hadn’t stepped onto the field yet.  Dimetrius Vargas added the third touchdown for the defense on his interception return in the fourth quarter.

As for the offense, Dixie tapped its scoring sources from
quarterback Diarra Fields (one running and one passing), running backs Dallas
Irvin (71-yard rushing td), Viliami Hafoka (runs of 59 and 15-yards for
scores), wide receiver Cody Wardle (33-yard pass from Fields), and fullback
Verwon Washington (one-yard run).

The Rebels did its part to make this week’s game against the
Wasatch Revolution a playoff weighted match. (Revolution defeated the Utah
Bears 48-7).

The No. 1 playoff seed is at stake, and Wasatch is certainly
better than the Magic Valley squad.

The Rebels will have to use all of its talent this and execute efficiently to beat
the Revolution this Saturday to accomplish its goal of making the path to the
RMFL title go through Walt Brooks Stadium.

Rebels touchdowns

Viliami Hafoka 59-yard and 15-yard rushes
Diarra Fields 29-yard run and 33-yard pass
Cody Wardle 33-yard reception from Fields
Verwon Washington 1-yard run
Cody Irvin 71-yard run
Wayne Alofipo 55-yard punt return (five Rebels players combined on the play)
Dominic Vargas 33-yard interception return
Vince Feula 20-yard interception return
Doug Roberts 78-yard interception return

Football in June- who needs the NFL

The Dixie Rebels host the Magic Valley Bulldawgs Saturday
night at 7 p.m. at Walt Brooks Stadium in what should be a total overmatch, but
taking opponents lightly can come back to bite you.

Dixie is sitting comfortable at 6-0 while the Dawgs are cellar
dwelling at 1-5. The Rebels remain in a tie with the Wasatch Revolution for the
top standings position now, and if both Dixie and Wasatch hold serve this
weekend, next week’s game between the two teams (incidentally the game is here
in Southern Utah) will hold playoff implications.

Playoff game faces are nearing for the Rebels

The Rebels will focus on the task most close and try to
pummel the Bulldawgs from Jerome, Idaho Saturday night.

They may try to execute this task by using second level
players.

Because of the consideration of the overmatch, the fact that
the Bulldawgs are missing key players due to injuries, and the natural element
of travel causing teams in the RMFL to show up without a full complement of its
players, the Rebels will try to win this game by leaning on players for more
contributions than normally expected.

Some guys will play out of positions. Some guys will play
with more assignments and responsibilities than they are normally used to.

The Rebels have acquired more talent and they have utilized
it greatly this season. They have crushed inferior teams on the road, while
winning some tight games at home against quality opponents.

The title is within reach for the Rebels- they've laid the foundation

The Rebels have one more hurdle in front of them before letting
that playoff demeanor out: and that hurdle is a low standing one- normally easy
to jump over, but this particular hurdle this weekend has a slobbery and
growling dog guarding it.

RMFL standings:

Rebels 6-0
Revolution 6-0
Bears 5-1
Shock 4-2

Rocky Mountain Football League

The Dixie Rebels resembled a stumbling boxer caught by heavy fists that make the senses scrambled, and the legs shaky.

Like great champions in those situations do, they held on long enough enduring through a groggy conscience ultimately regaining a clear sight and a stable footing.

The Spartans of Treasure Valley jumped out to a 20-0 lead in Saturday’s game at Walt Brooks Stadium in St. George, Utah, and the Rebels faithful were confused as to what they were witnessing.

The Spartans are one of the RMFL's title contenders

Dixie fought back by putting 28 unanswered points on the board and salvaged their undefeated season raising its record to 4-0 and leveling the Spartans to 2-2.

Spartans defensive back Quentin Bates picked off Rebels quarterback Diarra Fields on the game’s opening offensive set- also Fields first pass attempt.

Taking over on Dixie’s 46-yard line, C.R. Hall cashed in on the turnover by running for a 19-yard touchdown making the score 7-0 Spartans.

Two possessions later, Treasure Valley started on its own 42-yard line after a Rebels punt. Hall led the Spartans six plays 58 yards and capped it by his second TD: a six-yard touchdown run making the score 14-0.

Once again, the Spartans defense delivered a hard punch to Dixie’s air attack. Zacq Hale intercepted Fields at the Rebels 35-yard line and returned the ball to the 18. Hall hit his receiver Lucas Linnemeyer on the first play to make the score 20-0, the PAT failed.

The Rebels are not accustomed to spending time on the canvas searching for a mouthpiece knocked free by a crushing uppercut.

They sucked it up and showed their champion character by fighting back, and keeping its winning streak at seven games dating back to June of last season.

The Rebels are the hunted in the RMFL

With 10:43 left on the first-half clock, Dixie went about returning blows on the opponent that had threatened its previously comfortable domain.

Dallas Irvin got the momentum rolling with a 31-yard rush off left tackle placing the ball on the Spartans 46. Seven plays later, Irvin punched in a 4-yard touchdown giving Dixie its first points (20-7).

Dixie’s defense forced a Spartans punt and started the drive from its own 25-yard line with 4:02 left. Fields hit Robbie Dias for a 33-yard touchdown at the 1:51 mark capping a 7-play drive (20-14).

Vince Feula, perhaps the heart of the Rebels defense, sacked Hall on two consecutive plays forcing the Spartans to punt. The ball only travelled to the Spartan 35-yard line.

Fields struck again with only 10 seconds left in the half when he found Skyler Ence over the top of a defender for 33 yards and the score. Dixie’s Steve Pulver booted in the PAT putting the Rebels up 21-20 at halftime.

The two defenses played stingy throughout the second half. At the 7:43 mark of the fourth quarter, the Spartans were close to going up.

Treasure Valley had the ball on the Rebels nine-yard line with a first and goal situation, but Steve Pulver stepped in front of a Hall pass on the three-yard line and picked off the throw.

Dixie drove 77 yards in four minutes scoring on a Fields 39-yard run making the score 28-20 Rebels.

Treasure Valley started from its own 14-yard line with 2:54 left. They drove the ball to Dixie’s 47 and were stopped on downs by the Rebels defense.

The Spartans team contested the downs thinking that the sideline official had shorted them a down, but the officials would not buy their case.

The Rebels are 14-1 in the last season and a half: the only loss came at the hands of Treasure Valley in Idaho in June.

Rebels are rolling - Photo by Todd Ellis

Game leaders were:

Vince Feula recorded six sacks; eight tackles (four for losses). Steve Pulver had the crucial interception and Robbie Dias recovered a fumble for the Rebels.

Diarra Fields went 7-for-16 passing for 99 yards and two touchdowns (two interceptions). Fields added 119 yards on 17 rushes and another touchdown.

Dallas Irving rushed 15 times for 88 yards and one touchdown.

The Rebels offense totaled 307 yards (33 rushes for 208 yards- 99 passing)

The Spartans were led by C.R. Hall’s 14-of-25 passing for 171 yards and one touchdown (one interception). Hall rushed 14 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

Brion Morris caught six passes for 52 yards, and Ben Mathewson hauled in two for 51 yards. Lucas Linnemeyer added an 18-yard touchdown catch.

The Spartans offense totaled 348 yards (177 passing- 171 rushing).

Spartan defenders Zacq Hale and Quentin Bates both had interceptions.

The game was marred by a serious injury suffered by Rebels offensive lineman Clayton Burgett. Burgett went down in the first quarter with a severely fractured leg. Burgett had emergency surgery Saturday night at the Dixie Medical Center.

Players for both teams express their sentiments for Burgett to recover successfully from the injury and for comfort for his family.

This game was a showing of the quality of the upper echelon of the Rocky Mountain Football League. The Spartans and Rebels battled toe-to-toe and gave football fans a dramatic competition filled with a fierce desire to compete and play with resolve and guts.

Football fans of the RMFL can expect more of the same in the upcoming weeks.

DIXIE 28, TREASURE VALLEY 20

Spartans          14        6          0          0   <    20

Rebels              0          21        0          7   <    28

First quarter
TV < Hall 19 run (Wilson kick)
TV < Hall 6 run (Wilson kick)

Second quarter
TV < Linnemeyer 18 pass from Hall (failed kick)
D < Irvin 4 run (Pulver kick)
D < Dias 33 pass from Fields (Pulver kick)
D < Ence 33 pass from Field (Pulver kick)

Fourth quarter
D < Fields 39 run (Pulver kick)

By Develon Isom  /   photos of Rebels by Todd Ellis

Treasure Valley is 2-1 this season

The last team to defeat the squad that makes up the Dixie
Rebels (3-0) team is the Treasure Valley Spartans (2-1) who came out on top of
a 15-11 win in June of 2010.

After that loss, Wayne Alofipo, Andy Stokes, Ricky Dias,
Doug Cook and company led the team – then the St. George Blitz, on a timely
three-game winning streak that included winning the RMFL championship.

Rebels running game has overwhelmed opponents

The loss to Treasure Valley was the only blemish on the
Rocky Mountain Football League champion’s (Blitz) season. That game happened in
Emmett, Idaho. The two teams combined for a 19-2 record last season, each team
only losing once.

On Saturday night at Walt Brooks Stadium, the Rebels host
the Spartans and it is the opinion of both teams that they have improved from
last year.

Treasure Valley coach Dan Buhler said his team has high
expectations.

“It’s championship or bust,” Buhler said. “Even though we
did have a great season last year, we felt like there was a lot of areas that
we could improve upon.

“We feel like we’re a better team this year. We’re deeper at
a lot of positions. We have our sights set on going deep into the playoffs and
bringing home a trophy this year.”

The Spartans have sharpened their swords with an added
offensive wrinkle this season and Cam Hall is the guy who is making the offense
more deadly.

Spartans have a lot of hands guys on offense

“He is one tremendous athlete,” Buhler said of the former
three-year starter at Boise State. “Last year we used him exclusively on
defense. This year we have installed the ‘Wildcat’ offense with him in the
backfield as the quarterback.”

“The guy literally comes off the field for only a couple of
plays per game. He’s in better shape than he was last year. And all of that has
made us a better team.”

The Rebels defense will have to contend with two different quarterbacks.
When Hall is not running the ‘Wildcat’, former BYU quarterback Chris Bisgaard
will be trying to launch rockets down the field at his Spartans receivers.

“He typically starts the game for us,” Buhler said. “He has
a strong arm; he’s a big, tall quarterback who’s smart. He is the traditional
pocket quarterback. He does have a cannon.”

However, the Spartans hang their hats on defense- just like
the Rebels do.

The Spartans 4-3 defense is led by two-time RMFL defensive
MVP Zack Jockumsen at linebacker, and Zacq Hale at cornerback.

Hale also is a duel-threat player too who catches passes on
offense.

“He is the returning league MVP,” Buhler said. “I think he
scored eight non-offensive touchdowns last season on defense and special teams.

“We have put him in some offensive packages this season
because he is such a huge asset when he has the ball. He makes plays, he makes
people miss, and he is always looking to find the end zone.”

Brandon Thompson sqaures on a ball carrier beautifully

The Rebels and Spartans may end up playing each other again
in June (for a shot at the RMFL title) so Saturday’s game might show what and
how good the improvements are for both teams.

One thing’s for certain: this game will have all-out effort
by both squads who are hoping to get a leg up on securing the home-field
playoffs rights.

“It’s a couple of heavy- heavy-hitting squads going at it,” Buhler said.
“It’s like a heavyweight title bout really. Obviously, we embrace going up
against the returning league champs.”

The Logan Stampede will run out of the gate at Walt Brooks Stadium (Dixie High school) Saturday night donning a new brand.

Logan enters its first season in the AAA division of the Rocky Mountain Football League. The Stampede has been very successful in the AA division and hope that their history repeats.

Stampede coach Bracken Atkinson said his team should be competitive and RMFL fans will see the Logan team play some postseason ball after the regular season schedule is played through.

“I don’t know if we have the depth to be one of the top teams, but I think we are going to be a playoff team,” Atkinson said.

“We’ll definitely be in the top half of the league. We think if the ball bounces our way a couple of times in a couple of games we should be able to play with just about anybody.

The Stampede offense attacks defenses with an aggressive passing game led by quarterback (No. 14) Mike Jenkins who played at Idaho State University and was the 2009 RMFL season MVP of the AA division.

Jenkins is a top RMFL talent - photo by Joey Hislop (The Herald Journal)

Jenkins’ most targeted receiver of the four wideout-set the Stampede play is No. Jesse Yarger and when he is not going aerial with the pigskin, Jenkins will hand the ball to running back (No. 18) Dave Williams.

Leading the Stampede pass rush is (No. 5) defensive end Drew Augustus and trying to lower the boom on offensive players is free safety No. 20 Brandon Carlisle.

Atkinson said about Carlisle, “He was a walk-on at Utah State. He’s a little guy, but he makes a lot of noise.”

Rebels fans have a difficult task if they try to focus on key players- many Rebels players routinely make highlight plays.

This week Sports Radio 1210 will select running back (No. 24) Kyle Coop and the offensive line as the key offensive players to watch. O-line members are: (No. 50) Stryder Hurd, (No. 56) Brent Pollock, (No. 60) Braeden Gates, (No. 74) Matt Dotson, (No. 68) Damon Manning, (No. 76) Clayton Burgett, (No. 77) Steve Richmond, (No. 98) Chris Hill.

On the Rebels defense linebacker (No. 21) Brandon Thompson, D-lineman (No. 5) Siosi Umi, and cornerback (No. 2) Robbie Dias will be trying to corral the Stampede.

Dixie Rebels - photo by Todd Ellis

Central            Tigers

Leyland still has passion

West                A’s

Wild Card       Red Sox

Cahill and staff will throw a good year

 National League
East                 Phillies

Central            Cardinals

Is there really a better swing to watch?

West                Giants

Wild Card       Braves

New Braves- no problem

American League Pennant winner
Tigers

National League Pennant winner

Phillies

2011 World Series winner
Phillies

American League
East                 Yankees

Central             Tigers

West                A’s

Wild Card       Red Sox

National League
East                 Phillies

Central            Cardinals

West                Giants

Wild Card       Braves

American League Pennant winner
Tigers

National League Pennant winner

Phillies

2011 World Series winner
Phillies

Football’s here—on Saturday at Walt Brooks Stadium at 7 pm when the Dixie Rebels host the Utah Valley Desperados in the first game of the preseason schedule for the Rebels.

the Pigskin sport in No. 1 with many

An example of how regarded the Dixie Rebels are, showed in the recent Rocky Mountain Football League’s general manager’s preseason poll. The Rebels were voted top team in the AAA division.

1- Dixie Rebels
2- Wasatch Revolution
3- Treasure Valley Spartans
4- Utah Shock
5- Utah Bears
6- Arco Anarchy
7- tie Utah Renegades- Utah Valley Desperados
8- Logan Stampede
9- Rocky Mountain Ducks
10- Magic Valley Bulldawgs

 It’s no wonder the Rebels received the admiration and/or respect of the general managers from the RMFL. Most of the player personal that won the RMFL title last summer (as the St. George Blitz) makes up the Dixie Rebels, in addition, some extra talent has joined the team that should help them live up to the No. 1 respect.

Last season the team defeated the Utah Valley Desperados 32-13 in a regular season contest on June 12 at Timpview High. It came right after the only loss the Blitz experienced and perhaps they took out their frustrations on the Desperados.

The Rebels will play two preseason games (April 2nd verse Utah Cobras-also a home game) this season and eight regular season games.

A great thing about the Rebels 2011 schedule is the fact that they have six total home games (four regular season games).

The home games against RMFL heavy hitters Wasatch Revolution and the Treasure Valley Spartans highlight the schedule. Just consider: three of the top four RMFL AAA teams will play at Walt Brooks Stadium this season-that’s not even counting the playoff possibilities.

Getting out to all the Rebels games and becoming familiar with this team’s personalities will make the entertainment of this semi-pro football experience a more enjoyable time when the big games happen.

Don’t forget to bring your football attitude when you come out to the DIXIE REBELS football games at Dixie High school.

Visit dixierebelsfootball.com to learn more about this awesome sports team.

The Dixie Rebels named their new head coach Monday and he brings quite the resume. Last week after Greg Croshaw abruptly resigned as the Rebels coach, taking a job at Mesa Community College, Rebels’ owners Wayne Alofipo, Andy Stokes and Doug Cook said the team would have a replacement soon rather than later.

Alofipo said on Friday that the Rebels owner group had already started reviewing a short list of worthy coaching candidates for the job.

“We’ll find the right guy for to lead us on the sidelines,” Alofipo said.

Bruce Hardy apparently is the ‘right’ guy for the Rebels. They hired him Monday and Hardy’s vast football experience coming from many levels should contribute to the Rebels pursuing the Rocky Mountain Football League title this season.

Hardy is originally from Murray, Utah and garnered national fame at an early age when in 1974 he was shown on the cover of Sports Illustrated. His picture accompanied a story about high school athletes in the U.S. and Hardy was deemed ‘the best high school athlete seen in 20 years’ by a Major League Baseball scout. Sports Illustrated called Hardy ‘the best all-around schoolboy athlete  in the U.S.”

This link will take you to the nostalgic story of Bruce Hardy’s youth.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1088499/index.htm

The Dixie Rebels did not hire Hardy for his fame though; they hired him to keep the ship going in the right direction.

In the more simplistic semi-pro football world, coaching is less about complex schemes and designs, and more about keeping order.

Hardy has the experience from a bevy of football levels. Using his playing experience from the NFL; heck the guy got to soak in Don Shula’s second-to-none football philosophy for 12 seasons,  and coaching  experience in the Arena Football league, which should lend to the RMFL style more, and his coaching work on the Florida International University (NCAA) coaching staff, should be sufficient to guide the Rebels.

Hardy making a catch against the 49ers in Super Bowl

The start of the Rebels season is fast approaching (Mar. 26) and their new leader Bruce Hardy takes hold of the controls of a nicely balanced team.

Hardy’s experience should keep the Rebels outfit doing fine.

Learn more about the Dixie Rebels and the Rocky Mountain Football League at: 
http://dixierebelsfootball.com/   and http://www.rmfl.net/ 
by Develon