Rebel senior Cole Gramer, center, pumps up his team just before kickoff against the Coon Rapids-Bayard Crusaders last Thursday evening in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GLADBROOK – Last week Thursday, the sixth-ranked Gladbrook-Reinbeck Rebels earned a return trip to the UNI-Dome.

The Rebels rocked the Coon Rapids-Bayard Crusaders here on Nov. 5, winning 56-8 in the 8-Man state football playoff quarterfinals at ‘The Pit’. G-R got out to a 41-0 halftime lead and eased its way back to the final four.

Rebel sophomore Laken Thesing had three touchdown receptions on offense and three takeaways on defense, helping Gladbrook-Reinbeck (11-0) roll through to the next round. Coon Rapids-Bayard (8-4) didn’t get on the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.

Efficient as ever, G-R quarterback Bennett Sieh went 7-or-7 passing for 188 yards and five touchdowns, including a 75-yard moonshot to Thesing. He connected with Thesing three times for 137 yards and three touchdowns, while Devin Boldt and Treyvon Herron both had TD catches.

Herron also ran 11 times for 202 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior running back Treyvon Herron (9) casts a quick glance over his shoulder as he rockets his way to Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s first touchdown of the night against Coon Rapids-Bayard, Thursday, Nov. 5 in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s defense registered six takeaways, with Thesing intercepting two passes and recovering a fumble. Herron, Sieh and Brayden Utter also recovered fumbles. Utter led the defense with 7.5 tackles while Herron had 4.5 tackles, including three for loss, and two quarterback sacks. Mason Heise and Brayton Dripps had five tackles each.

The Rebels took on top-ranked Audubon (11-0) at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls this past Wednesday, Nov. 11, spinning out the Wheelers, 44-39, in a thrilling afternoon of football to earn a spot in the 8-Man state final. The Sun Courier will feature coverage from Wednesday’s game, played on Veterans Day, in next week’s edition (Friday, Nov. 20).

Next Thursday, Nov. 19, at 9:30 a.m., the Rebels will face No. 3 Woodbine (11-0) for the 8-Man state championship. Woodbines took down second-ranked Iowa Valley (11-1) in the semifinals.

The 8-Man championship game will be broadcast and streamed live by Iowa PBS.

Rebel sophomore wide receiver Laken Thesing successfully fields a touchdown pass from quarterback Bennet Sieh during the first half of the 8-Man state quarterfinal clash with Coon Rapids-Bayard last Thursday evening in Gladbrook. Thesing had three touchdown receptions on offense and three takeaways on defense against the Crusaders. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

G-R quarterback Bennett Sieh pulls away from the Crusaders defense as he carries the ball last Thursday evening at “The Pit” in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

G-R lineman Mason Heise (4) pulls Coon Rapids-Bayard wide receiver Caden Oswald (6) down as fellow defender, Treyvon Herron (9), takes the slipping ball from Oswald’s hands during the first half of the 8-Man state quarterfinal clash with Coon Rapids-Bayard last Thursday evening in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Rebel senior running back Treyvon Herron (9) takes flight with the ball down the center, leaving the Coon Rapids-Bayard defense — held up by the Rebel curtain — behind on his way to a touchdown during the first half of the 8-Man state quarterfinal clash with Coon Rapids-Bayard last Thursday evening in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

G-R quarterback Bennett Sieh begins a touchdown pass to wide receiver Laken Thesing (off frame) during the first half of the 8-Man state quarterfinal clash with Coon Rapids-Bayard last Thursday evening in Gladbrook. Sieh went 7-or-7 passing for 188 yards and five touchdowns against the Crusaders. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Members of the Rebel coaching staff raise their hands and flash No. 1 as running back Treyvon Herron cruises toward another touchdown during the first half of the 8-Man state quarterfinal clash with Coon Rapids-Bayard last Thursday evening in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER