PHOTO COURTESY OF GLADBROOK-REINBECK SCHOOLS

Although they fought until the very last seconds on the clock, the seventh-ranked Gladbrook-Reinbeck Rebels couldn’t make it past No. 8 Newell-Fonda in the 8-Player quarterfinal playoff on Thursday, Nov. 3 in Newell – coming up short to the Mustangs, 46-36.

Heading into the final period, the Mustangs had a 33-8 lead but the Rebels roared back, notching 28 points in the fourth quarter – giving a final glimpse of the 2022-2023 team’s true blue abilities.

“For three and a half quarters, we played very well,” veteran Mustang head coach Brian Wilken told the Fort Dodge Messenger. “I think we got a little passive to a certain extent late, and [G-R] made some plays on us. We weren’t nearly as aggressive as we were earlier in the ballgame, and things got a little interesting.”

“Defensively, we didn’t give up any points until late in the first half. For the most part, we were solid on defense against a very good football team.”

Rebels starting quarterback Isaac Clark went 17-for-28 for 247 yards connecting with five different receivers including freshman Hudson Clark five times for 99 yards and two touchdowns, senior Luke Riffey four times for 107 yards and two touchdowns, sophomore Drew Eilers four times for 22 yards, senior Caleb Egesda three times for 40 yards, and junior Austin Vaverka twice for a gain of 19 yards.

Clark led the Rebels’ rushing game, keeping the ball nine times for 37 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, the Rebels racked up 57.5 total tackles with senior Luke Sienknecht leading the squad with 9.5 tackles (three solo).

The Rebels end the 2022-2023 season with a new quarterfinal trophy for the case and a 9-2 record.