Rebels shut down Saints, 93-6 (photos)

GLADBROOK – Lane Bach thinks the Gladbrook-Reinbeck football team is really starting to learn what 8-man is all about.
 
The Rebels certainly can't argue with recent results: G-R smashed Melcher-Dallas 93-6 for G-R's homecoming game in Gladbrook on Friday.
 
The triumph moves G-R to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in district play. The Rebels rolled Meskwaki 76-12 last Friday and welcome Baxter to Gladbrook next Friday.
 
Bach ran back two interception returns for touchdowns in the first half, with G-R putting up 50 in the first quarter and entering halftime with a 71-0 lead.
 
"I knew the QB would scramble, just had to make sure I was spying on him at all times," Bach said. "It's been a big deal these last couple of weeks to just find out what 8-man's all about, and start to know what we're doing and see what we're succeeding in so far."
 
With the Saints already shorthanded coming into the game without their starting quarterback and one of the starting receivers, G-R was a stifling defensive presence, resulting in just three yards of total offense for M-D, compared to 393 for the Rebels.
 
Melcher-Dallas finally broke through after 87 unanswered points with a 69-yard kickoff return for a score in the fourth quarter.
 
Tom Smith and Colton Clark each ran for two touchdowns and Clark added a TD reception from Jackson Kiburis. Eli Thede returned a punt for a touchdown and was one of seven Rebels on the night that had at least one rushing touchdown.
 
"We're not making a lot of mistakes," G-R head coach John Olson said of his team's progression following two lopsided non-district losses to start the season. "Any mistake is a physical mistake. ... We want to be a physical team."
 
For the full story, see the Sept. 20 Grundy Register. Subscribe by calling (319) 824-6958 or clicking here. 
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