DGF HEADS TO MINNEAPOLIS FOR THE CLASS AAA STATE SEMIFINALS.
GLYNDON, Minn. (KVRR) —The DGF Rebels are in a familiar spot that they were in a season ago. Two wins away from a state championship. Last year they fell one game short becoming the Class AAA state runner ups. This year, they look for redemption.
The Rebels have dominated all season long. At 10-1, they have won those 10 games consecutively and all by at least two scores. Celeb Johnson has taken over the reigns of the offense at Quarterback and has led this Rebels team to the State Semifinals at U.S. Bank stadium. For head coach Tony Soderberg, their success started in the offseason.
“They worked their butts off in the offseason to get here,” said Soderberg. “They lifted in the offseason and they have been lifting all season. You know, just that much dedication speaks volumes to where we are at and who they are.”
The same sentiment reigns true for QB Caleb Johnson. “I think it was all the weight room in the summer we had,” said Johnson. “I think it is really paying off where we are feeling so much stronger than we were last year. We can really just run the ball.”
Now this stronger Rebels team will look to get rid of the sour taste in their mouths after last season’s defeat in the state title game. A game that saw the Rebels lose on the final play– Hail Marry style.
“You get to go to ‘The Bank’ and play a football game, so its a nice thing,” said Soderberg. “But yeah, the last time we left there it wasn’t a good feeling. The kids responded well, and we are back there. We just want to take it one play at a time, do the best we can and have fun.”
“There is a little bit of extra motivation this year,” said Johnson. “We want it this year. We have extra motivation going into it, so we really want it this time.”
The Rebels will take on Stewartville Saturday. A team that finished the season ranked No. 1 in Class AAA and sits at 12-0 on the season. Like the Rebels, all of their wins have come by 14 or more points. The key to victory for DGF: protect the ball and the obvious…
“They are a big school,” said Soderberg. “[They have] big athletes, some fast athletes. We have to tackle well and not turn over the football to have a chance. If we do that, then we will [win].”
“Not turn over the football,” said Johnson. “We are just going to have to play Rebel football. Run the ball, control the clock and hopefully score more points.
Score more points… that is the name of the game isn’t it.
The Rebels and Tigers will kickoff Saturday at 2 p.m. at the home of the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis: U.S. Bank stadium.
A win places them in the State Final to be played:
US Bank Stadium
