Rebels Celebrate Homecoming With Win Over Bears

Behind a prolific air attack, the Howell Rebels were able to rebound off their two-game losing streak, Saturday night.

Senior quarterback Ryan Davies helped guide the team to victory completing 22 of 30 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns as Howell (3-3) blew plast East Brunswick (0-5), 34-0, at Howell high school.

Davies connected with Brandon Yaegel twice for touchdowns, with other scoring plays connecting with Tory Robinson and Toran Mitchell.

"We needed this win a lot," Howell head coach Cory Davies said, "If we wanted to stay alive in the playoff race, we needed to win the rest of our games. We had a very difficult game last week, so we wanted to make sure we would get back on track with this one."

On the Rebels' second drive of the game, Nick Carelli pounded the ball into the endzone on a six-yard run up the middle to get his team on the board early.

The touchdown was set up by a 30-yard pass from Davies to Yaegel, with the senior wide-out reaching up and making the play. Yaegel was impressive all game long, catching a game-high eight passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

One of his biggest plays came early in the second quarter, on an 11-yard out-route to give his team six more points. The grab came on 3rd and 2, and it was set up off an interception by Mitchell.

Later, Davies showed off his quick strike abilities ona 2-play, 52 yard drive that gave the Rebels a three-score advantage. On the first play of the drive, Yaegel beat his defender for a 48-yard catch, and after being tackled at the East Brunswick 5-yard line, Davies connected with Mitchell for the touchdown.

Yaegel scored his second touchdown on the first Howell drive of the second half, hauling in a 36-yard pass. The drive took just three plays, as Howell was able to work with tremendous field position.

Davies led the Rebels final touchdown drive late in the third quarter. The six-play 73-yard march down the field resulted in Robinson's 42-yard touchdown catch-and-run, finalizing the score at 34-0. 

Before Howell's last touchdown, the Bears were driving, but Nick Craig made an interception at the three-yard line and returned it 24 yards.

Following losses to Middletown South and Middletown North in successive weeks, the Rebels were able to right their ship, mainly due to a tremendous performance from Yaegel, who seemed undefendable.

"Yaegel had an outstanding game," Coach Davies said, "He goes back-and-forth, sometimes he has a great game, sometimes he doesn't, but he definitely had a great day today and he came through for us. We have some good receivers and things worked out well for us that way."

Howell's defense was a key factor in the win, working together for their first shut-out of 2011, and coming up with big stops when needed.

Kyle Conrad anchored the defense, along with solid play from sophomore Steve Boncimino, stifiling East Brunswick's option attack.

"We work much more on defense then we do on offense, even though it might not show that way," the Rebel coach said, "They played very well and stopped the running game."

Robinson was a strong target for Davies, making four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown while Mitchell had three catches for 20 yards and a touchdown. Jon Oeftering made four catches for 46 yards, and carried the ball three times for 18 yards, balancing Howell's offense. Carelli rounded out the offense with five carries for 18 yards, including the game's first score.

The Rebels will now finish the season with a difficult stretch, hosting Manalapan next weekend, and travelling to Brick Memorial to take on the Mustangs after that.

Manalapan beat Howell twice last year, totaling over 100 points in the two games -- including the first round of the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs last November.

"Next week is a huge week for us. If we're going to have an oppurtunity to go to the playoffs, we're going to need to beat Manalapan, which is going to be a tall order because they are an outstanding football team this year," the coach said.

The Braves are scheduled to come to town next Friday night for a 7 p.m. A North showdown.