Football

The Rebels will open the 2017 season on the road for the second year in a row.

Coach Korton and his Rebels kick the season off in East Ridge against the Raptors on Thursday night August 31st at 7pm.  The game boasts a rematch from the second round of the 2016 playoffs in which the Rebels edged out East Ridge, 35-33.  The Raptors won the East Metro-Blue Conference last year finishing the year with a 7-3 record.  They are always strong, but lost the majority of their 2016 team to graduation.  The Rebels on the other hand return with 10 players on offense and 10 players on defense with varsity playing time experience.

The Rebels will return home in Week 2 to host arch-rival Anoka. It's the first time that Champlin Park plays the Tornadoes this early in the season.  The Rebels will be looking to avenge last year's loss and regain control of the Paddle.  Champlin Park won all 5 home games last season and look to extend their home winning streak this season.

The third game of the season has the Rebels traveling to St. Michael-Albertville to battle a perennial football power program.  The Knights finished 8-2 last season, losing both games to eventual undefeated state champion, Elk River.

The Rebels return home in week 4 hosting the Osseo Orioles for the second season in a row.  Last year's game was a barn-burner with the Rebels winning in Overtime 36-35 on a gutsy 2-point conversion at the end.  The Rebels will need to come ready to contain the vaunted Oriole running attack.  However, Osseo did lose their top 3 running backs in 2016.  The Osseo game will also be youth night highlighting our CDAA 3rd and 4th Grade scrimmages at halftime.

Friday, September 29th will mark the pre-season MARQUEE MATCH-UP of the season against Blaine.  The Rebels will visit the Bengals this year.  Both teams finished the regular season with 5-2 records in conference and both reached the state semi-finals in 2016.  The Bengals will be returning an impressive group and are sure to be ranked high going into the 2017 season.  Last year the Rebels upset the then #6 ranked Bengals, 34 - 30 on a touchdown in the final minutes by Marcus Hill on a pass from QB Bennett Otto.  This could be a state semi-finals or state finals preview!

Homecoming game will be played in Week #6 against Roseville.  Last year's overtime thriller was a great game for the Alumni to see.  I am sure Rebel Nation will have some fun events and pump up the environment for Homecoming in 2017.   This will mark the first time Champlin Park has played the Raiders in football.  Roseville finished the regular season 3-5 last year, but was in every game it played, minus a blow-out loss to East Ridge.

The Rebels play back-to-back home games for the first time in the 2017 season in week 7 vs Centennial.   This will be Senior night for Champlin Park.  The Cougars were much better than their 4-4 regular season record suggests last season.  Although they lose a very talented QB, incoming senior Ryan Koob, 6'-4" and 210lbs, was impressive taking a fair amount snaps in 2016.  He will be teamed with returning senior Lucas McGregor who finished second on the team in receiving his junior year.  The Cougars defense is always stout and it should prove to be another good game this year. 

The Rebels will then close the season by visiting Totino Grace on the Wednesday before MEA, October 18th.  Totino Grace is the defending, undefeated state championship team from a spectacular 2016 season.  Totino is always strong; however, they graduated the majority of their starters and our incoming junior and senior classes have matched up very well against the Eagles.  Expect an action packed regular season finale between the two clubs.

Overall, expectations are very high for the Rebels in 2017.  The team will not be able to sneak up on anyone like they did in 2016.  Right out of the gates our boys will probably be recognized as a team to watch.  We all hope the our Rebels will take things another step this year.  We are sure they will produce another exciting season - you can take that to the bank!  US BANK STADIUM

Champlin Park will travel to a neutral site to play the 9-1 Rosemount Irish.  It should be a tough game as the Irish defense average only 10.3 points per game.  They are really big and physical on offense and extremely disciplined.  The Rebels will have to utilize all their weapons in order to earn their first trip to US Bank Stadium the following week. 

Secondary coach and Leadership Program coordinator Pete Ockuly said, "The boys are really excited and deservedly so.  They understand that this is not their ultimate goal, but it is a big step in the right direction.  Our goal is to FINISH, and we're not finished."

The neutral site is Woodbury High School, 7:00 PM Friday November 11th.