Wayne County High Schools, Middle Schools , MU, WVU

PAGE 8, The Wayne County News, 2013 Football Preview, AUGUST 28, 2013TolsiarebelsRebels look to take math out of equationBy JASON PERRYSports WriterGLENHAYES – After a few hard seasons,the Tolsia Rebels are looking to build upontheir success from last season and make itinto the playoffs this year.After going winless in the 2011 season,Tolsia rebounded with a 5-5 record and wasmathematically eliminated from having aplayoff berth in Class AA at the end of lastyear’s campaign.“We have a lot of work to do,” RebelCoach Mike Smith said, “Depending onhow this season goes and how the kids play,this season and the next few could be reallyinteresting.”Many are picking Tolsia to finish either7-3 or 6-4 this year.“That’s all going to be determined by justa few things,” Smith said, “A play or two hereand there could be all the difference.”If not for different outcomes at Tug Valleyand Mingo Central, the Rebels wouldhave seen postseason play, and those twogames have stayed in the minds of Smith,his coaching staff – and his team.Although the Mingo Central game was ahard loss that came down to an offside call onTolsia during a Miner extra point that gaveMingo Central the confidence to convert atwo-point conversion for the win, it is the TugValley game that everyone remembers.The Panthers won, 18-14, for their firstever football victory against the Rebels ina weird game.The officiating at times was questionablewith the outcome decided in the lastminute of play.Outside of the Rebels’ opener againstcounty rival Wayne, Tug Valley is the gamethat many are waiting for.“If that game had went different, we mighthave made the playoffs,” Smith said, “Weare looking forward to it.“I know Tug Valley was a young teamlast year, so we’re expecting them to beSee REBELS on Next Page