The Zion Chapel Rebels are gearing up for season two under head coach Randy Bryant. Despite warm weather, the Rebels have been quickly preparing for their season opener against Red Level on August 31.

“I think fall camp has gone pretty well for us,” Bryant said. “It was a little hot yesterday (Monday) and I think it affected our kids, but it was a teachable moment. Other than that, I feel like fall camp has been a positive. There are a lot of good things going on. At this time of the year everybody gets ready to hit somebody else.”

In year one, Bryant led the Rebels to a 2-8 finish and 1-5 region record. Throughout his fall camp, the theme was a year of change. Year two, he said, is the year of the climb.

“We want to try and ascend and be better than what we were last year,” Bryant said. “I have been telling the kids that we are going to try and go 1-0 every day.”

So far, the kids have been responsive to this year’s theme.

“Overall they have taken it and ran with it,” Bryant said. “Yesterday (Monday) was one of those days where we felt sorry for ourselves. Other than that one time, I feel like they have grasped the concept and taken a hold of it.”

The Rebels have nearly 45 players in camp that range from seventh graders all the way up to seniors.

“Our junior varsity and varsity all work together,” Bryant said. “It’s been good.”

Of the 45 returners, the Rebels return approximately nine players on offense and eight on defense.

“It’s great,” Bryant said. “We won two out of our last three last year, so we finally grasped the concepts. This summer we worked all the same stuff and we have worked the same stuff during fall camp. There is a lot of carryover and like with anything, experience is important. We return a lot of experience, so we have high expectations.”

With the season now just weeks away, the excitement on campus and in town is starting to ramp up.

“I think the excitement level is high,” Bryant said. “The fans are great out here. They show up whether you’re 0-10 or 10-0. I couldn’t ask for a better group of fans. We bought some new uniforms to get everybody pumped up about football season. I think that is a big deal around here.”