Rebels locked and loaded for deep postseason push

2022 Record: 9-2 (46-36 Loss to Newell-Fonda in State Quarterfinals)

Head Coach: John Olson 

The 2022 season saw only the second class of Rebels make it through four years of eight-man football and it was a successful one for Gladbrook-Reinbeck. Nine wins and a game short of state was the legacy the Class of 2023 left at G-R, some of them having played since they were sophomores.

“It was a special class for us because they played a lot of football,” coach John Olson said. “We had plenty of depth with last year’s team, especially in our top guys. We made it a goal to play in at least 10 games last year and we accomplished that.”

This season, the motto is “one more.” One more rep. One more play, One more game. The Rebels are capable of achieving “one more” with many of their top playmakers back on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Isaac Clark (1878 yards on 59.4 percent completion, 30 touchdowns thrown, 608 yards on 111 carries with 15 rushing touchdowns) leads a talented backfield with senior Austin Vaverka (1155 yards on 90 carries, 20 touchdowns) sophomore Hudson Clark (290 yards on 27 carries, seven touchdowns) and junior Drew Eilers (243 yards on 36 carries, three touchdowns). Vaverka and Eilers also led the Rebels in tackles  (79 and 60.5 total tackles respectively) and are the top two returnings receivers (412 yards on 26 receptions with eight touchdowns for Vaverka, 380 yards on 26 receptions with three touchdowns for Eilers).

“We ran the ball every play three years ago, two years ago passed every play and finally last season we did both,” Olson said. “This is the first year I feel we can do either effectively. And our defense is right there too. Drew Eilers and Austin Vaverka at linebacker will be tremendous. Hudson Clark played a lot at the end of last season and will be explosive at receiver.” 

G-R will get a test right away this season with Don Bosco coming to Gladbrook in week one after a close 35-32 loss to the Dons in 2022. Week two’s home matchup with Tripoli will be a Thursday game. Their District will be a combination of familiar faces such as GMG and Meskwaki, but also new teams in Clarksville and Janesville.

“We’re focused on the week ahead and being the fast, physical team we know we can be,” Olson said. “Our kids want to play really hard. The rest will work itself out. I look forward to coaching this season.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck football will open this season at home against Don Bosco on Friday, Aug. 25.