The Zion Chapel Rebels are heading back to the AHSAA Class 2A State Playoffs for the first time since the 2011 season.

The Rebels finished off the 2019 regular season with a 6-4 overall record and a 3-4 record in region play.

“We are very thankful for the opportunity,” Rebels head coach Randy Bryant said. “There were a couple times earlier this year where we didn’t do what we needed to do to secure our spot earlier, but through some other deals we were able to get in. Now, it’s a new season.”

Not only are the Rebels heading to their first playoff appearance in eight years, but their 6-4 record gave them their first winning record since the 2011 season.

“It’s been our goal all along to get six-plus,” Bryant said. “Year one, we were 2-8. Year two, we were 5-5, and now year three we’re 6-4.”

On Friday night the Rebels picked up their 200^th all-time win and it came by way of the shutout. Since Bryant’s arrival before the 2017 season he preached the importance of building a culture of success.

“That’s been the buzzword the last few years,” Bryant said. “It’s ever-evolving, so you have to keep coaching that every day, every week, every month and every year. I hope that this will help. I believe if you have a winning football team, then your basketball team usually wins and then your baseball teams usually wins. Success breeds success.”

The Rebels went into the final week of the regular season in need of a New Brockton win over Samson last Friday night.

The Gamecocks did just that, putting the Rebels in a three-way-tie for fourth place in the region. The Rebels were eventually named the winner of the tie breaker.

The Rebels will travel in week one to take on the Region 4 winner Reeltown, who finished their season 9-1. Their lone loss came two weeks ago on the road against Ranburne, 27-26.

The Rebels have played the Rebels in two prior matches, both resulted in losses including their last game in 2009.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Nix-Webster-Oneal Stadium in Reeltown.