Rebels rout Boise Generals with dominant play in the trenches

The Dixie Rebels improved to 2-0 by dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in a 31-0 victory over the Boise Generals Saturday on a windy night in Boise, Idaho.

Jordan Main caught a 40-yard touchdown pass on offense and also had three sacks on defense as Dixie kept Boise far away from the end zone. The Rebels took some time to get the offense going, especially with the late arrival of starting quarterback Misi Tupe, who had some travel difficulties in reaching the stadium at Eagle High School on the outskirts of Boise. Tupe didn’t arrive until just before halftime and didn’t play until the second half.

H6SN_Dixie_Rebels_Semi_ProGenerals_logo_largeHis team, meanwhile, had managed a 7-0 advantage in the first half of play. The only score in the first two quarters came on a TD pass from backup QB Alec Mecham to speedy wide receiver Tanner Wood from 12 yards out.

“We actually took the first drive of the game and marched 80 yards in 16 plays,” Rebels coach Dale Stott said. “We converted on three fourth downs on that drive, including the touchdown pass, which came on fourth-and-3.”

Boise, a team that passes about 85 percent of the time, found the combination of 20-30-mile per hour winds and a stingy Dixie Rebels secondary too much to move the ball with any consistency. Plus, Dixie’s defensive line was merciless against Boise quarterback Tom Bennett, sacking him repeatedly.

Rebels head coach Dale Stott and quarterback Misi Tupe discuss game strategy, Wasatch Revolution at Dixie Rebels, St. George, Utah, Apr. 5, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, St. George News
Rebels head coach Dale Stott and quarterback Misi Tupe discuss game strategy, Wasatch Revolution at Dixie Rebels, St. George, Utah, Apr. 5, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, St. George News

Tupe entered the game after a Dixie defensive stop to start the third quarter and immediately led the Rebels to paydirt. His short run made it 14-0 and, after another Dixie defensive stop, Eric Brooksby booted a 44-yard field goal to put the Rebels ahead 17-0.

The rout was on in the fourth quarter when Tupe connected with 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end Robert Robledo for a 40-yard catch and run TD that made it 24-0. Third string QB AJ Martinez entered the game late and connected with Main for another long TD for the final tally.

“Boise’s a pretty good team,” Stott said. “But our line was amazing. We executed a lot better this week. Offensively, we did whatever we wanted, especially in the second half. It was a fun game. Everyone got to play and guys got to try some different stuff. We only punted once all night.”

Dixie returns to the friendly confines of Walt Brooks Stadium next Saturday night to host the Utah Shock, a team that beat the Rebels twice last season. The Shock lost Saturday night 20-14 to the Brigham Sting.

Boise, which moved up from AA to AAA this season in the Rocky Mountain Football League, is 0-2 and has not scored in two games. The Generals play at the Idaho Matadors next week.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

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1 Comment

  • momma D April 14, 2014 at 8:33 am

    Great game boys, I thank the angels that made sure u were all OK after the accident and that made it home safe, showed ur not only a team ur a band of brothers GOD BLESS love u guys

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