Trevor Mathern.

GLADBROOK – The Gladbrook-Reinbeck football team blew open the doors on the 2025-26 season with a shutout win over non-district Janesville on Friday, Aug. 29, liquidating the Wildcats 55-0.

Fresh off their own 50-0 shutout over Belle Plaine the Friday prior, Janesville (1-1) failed to move the ball much against the Rebels – last season’s 8-player state runner-up – managing a dismal 55 passing yards and 20 rushing yards.

G-R scored three times in the first quarter; twice in the second; once in the third; and twice more in the fourth to more than cement their status as a returning powerhouse team this season.

Rebel senior ​​quarterback Trevor Mathern was 10-for-12, passing 137 yards for three touchdowns. He connected with two of his receivers including senior Hudson Clark seven times for 91 yards and a 36-yard touchdown, and junior Treyvon Herron three times for 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Sophomore Chad Gutknecht led G-R’s rushing game with a 53-yard touchdown run. Mathern notched a 49-yard touchdown himself, while senior Kael Blohm, junior Jude Larson, and Herron each ran in a touchdown apiece. Senior Dreyson Morgan recorded one two-point conversion; five of six Rebel PAT attempts were good.

Clark led the defense with 6.5 total tackles (four solo). Blohm sacked the Wildcat signal caller twice.

Tonight, Thursday, Sept. 4, G-R (1-0) will host fellow District 6 competitor Meskwaki Settlement (0-1).

Next Friday, Sept. 12, the Rebels will travel to Colo-NESCO for more district play.