Rebs' QB Contest Winds Down, Players to Watch This Season

Update (8/18): Correction made to how many years Simonds served as head coach.

Coming off of their second consecutive season with a winning record, Rebels head coach Kevin Simonds and his varsity football team are looking to keep improving the reputation of their program.

Simonds is entering his eighth season coaching the Rebel football team. He spent two of those seasons as head coach and the rest of his career as head junior varsity and assistant varsity coach.

The Rebels return a total of 10 starters, six defensive and four offensive players, from last season. Two Rebel veterans, Senior Austin Perryman and junior Austin Black, have spent the summer vying to play as starting quarterback.

“Perryman is probably our starter right now in terms of leaders, because he’s got the experience,” said Simonds. “But he’s also a multi-position player because he’s a great athlete. He can play running back, safety and possibly corner for us too. Austin Black is probably more of a true quarterback type of kid, he has a lot of tools, a stronger arm.”

“Whoever's going to help our team be successful, not as an individual, but as a team, is going to get the nod," he added. "It is a battle that will continue all the way through the season.”

The team is focused in on starting the season with a win on Sept. 2 against Annandale High School. They haven't started their season with a victory in over five years.

Players to watch this season:

• Matt Frank, a six-foot-four, 250-pound offensive/defensive lineman, has garnered a lot of interest from Division 1-AA schools.
• The outspoken, emotional leader, senior linebacker Marcelo Acuna.
• Senior tight end Chris Robek, who was a second team all district selection in 2010. He's looking to play in the Ivy League at the next level.

“It’s not individuals, it’s a team atmosphere," said Simonds. "Our motto is ‘I’m in,’ and it means just that, that you’re in, win, lose, whether times are great or times are bad, you're there for your brother."

The Rebels have two scrimmages coming up at Manchester High School on Friday and at home against Lake Braddock next week.

“If we can stay healthy, hopefully we can finish off the season strong and put ourselves in a position to win the Liberty District,” said Simonds. “[We] go through Stone Bridge High School. They come to our place the last game of the regular season. If we can go into that game feeling good, we can give them a good game that will put us in great shape for the playoffs, as well as having a shot to bring a banner back to the program that we’ve been so long without.”