The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Head Coach, Will Bavery
The 2002 football season for the Southern Rebels ended last Saturday when the defending state champion Kewanee Wethersfield Flying Geese defeated the Rebels in the quarterfinals 34-12.
The loss brought to a close a very exciting season.
The Rebels treated their fans to some really good football this year.
The final game was no exception. The Rebels fell behind early but battled back to trail 20-12 at halftime.
The second half was not to be as usual for the Rebels. The defense played well holding the Geese scoreless in the third quarter, but the offense just couldn't get in rhythm this afternoon.
Our passing was off by inches and the Geese were a solid defensive team and kept the Rebels from scoring.
In the fourth quarter Kewanee drove in two scores, and all of a sudden you realized that even the quick strike Rebel offense just couldn't get the job done on this day.
I salute the Flying Geese for on this day they carried the field. I am also very proud of the Rebels as they played their hearts out to the very end.
While we were not able to hit the passes as we have in some games, we still kept the game in doubt until late in the fourth quarter.
There was no quit in the 2002 Football Rebels.
I would like to express my appreciation on behalf of the team to all the fans who supported us and urged us on.
Southern has the best football fans in the area. Also we appreciate all the sign makers who decorated our community in Rebel spirit. Playoffs are really a fun time for everyone.
The 2002 Football Rebels went out with their heads high.
They had played football with the best and showed that they belonged. This team was tough and was conditioned to play the game of football.
We did not have to go onto the field once this year for a varsity injury. I salute the work ethic of the 2002 Rebels.
I was informed Monday of this week that the Rebels would have a player earning All-State recognition.
Chris Wisslead was named to the IHSFCA All-State team which will be honored at the championship game in Champaign.
Chris being named to this team pays tribute to the hard work of his receivers and his linemen, and the work that Coach Floyd Bavery did in the development and implementation of the spread offense.
While it is an individual award it is made possible by team mates. We're proud of Chris and his Rebel team mates.
This game also brought down the curtain for me working in the Southern Football program.
I cherish the memories and good times that I shared with all the players over the years.
It was especially fun this year coaching so many players whose dads had played on earlier teams.
Leaving those players is the hardest part of stepping out. What makes it easier is the fact that I will leave behind a group of underclassmen who have played successfully at the playoff level.
Many coaches step away from a program when they have used up the talent.
This is not the case with my leaving, we have men coming back who can really play football. They will be a very good football team, and I will still be their biggest fan.
I've really appreciated John Morrison and Scott Dillard for their help in bringing Southern Football back to the status that it always should have had.
And we couldn't have done without all those who volunteered to help boost Southern Football.
Lastly, I'd like to express how much fun it was this year working with my son Floyd as we took a concept and turned it into a working offense that was fun for the players and fun for the fans.
I love the game of football for what it teaches us about life. I'm happy that I have had the chance to teach lots of young men to understand and appreciate the game of football.
And now to paraphrase General Douglas MacArthur, "Old football coaches never die, they just fade away."
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Total
Wethersfield 7 13 0 14 34
Southern 0 12 0 0 12
Principal Dale Buss presents Sr. Andy Gittings-2, Sr. Danny Morrison-31,
Jr.
Brandon Rothzen-33 and the Rebel team with the
Quarter Final Class 1A plaque. - photo by SHS Phil Geiser
Southern's Quinn Leath-46 and Brandon Rothzen-33 on the Rebel's
defensive team preparing to bring down a Kewanee runner. - photo by SHS Phil
Geiser
Southern's Quarterback Chris Wisslead-17, prepares to fire the ball while
Junior
Caleb Covert throws a block. - photo by SHS Phil Geiser
Southern Rebels Won 9 Lost 3
| Score by Quarters | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Final |
| Southern | 113 | 103 | 97 | 89 | 6 | 408 |
| Opponent | 33 | 58 | 28 | 40 | 7 | 166 |
First Downs:
Southern...................185
Opponents................160
Rushing Yards:
Southern.................2009
Opponents...............2303
| Passing | Att. | Comp. | Yards | TD | Int. |
| Southern | 241 | 145 | 2063 | 28 | 10 |
| Opponents | 106 | 37 | 511 | 4 | 12 |
Total Offense:
Southern..................4072
Opponents ..............2814
Penalties:
Southern......................591
Opponents ..................413
Fumbles Lost: Southern .....9 Opponents ....11
Punts:
Southern............24 for 731
Opponents ......37 for 1061
Individual Rushing: N. Morris 90 for 395, Wisslead 83 for 570, Morrison 56 for 291, McIntire 68 for 346, Rothzen 27 for 125, Lenz 22 for 184, Kane 3 for 23, Heap 4 for 34, Clark 6 for 41, Corzatt 6 for 22, J. Morris 1 for 2, Gittings 6 for 30, Chockley 5 for 56
Individual Receiving: McIntire 40 for 666, Morrison 49 for 633, Leath 25 for 277, Pogue 4 for 45, Rothzen 14 for 197, Heap 1 for 5, Kane 8 for 230, Corzatt 1 for 1, Caldwell 1 for -1, Smith 1 for 4, Lenz 1 for 13
| Individual Passing | Att. | Comp. | Yards | TD | Int |
| Wisslead | 232 | 141 | 1992 | 27 | 10 |
| Corzatt | 2 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Kane | 7 | 2 | 68 | 1 | 0 |
Individual Scoring
| Ind Scoring | TD | 2 Point | 1 Point | FG | S | Total |
| McIntire | 14 | 2 | 88 | |||
| Wisslead | 9 | 4 | 62 | |||
| Morris | 6 | 5 | 5 | 51 | ||
| Pogue | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Morrison | 10 | 9 | 78 | |||
| Leath | 5 | 30 | ||||
| Rothzen | 6 | 1 | 38 | |||
| Kane | 4 | 24 | ||||
| Gittings | 1 | 6 | ||||
| Lenz | 2 | 1 | 14 | |||
| Heap | 1 | 6 | ||||
| Chockley | 1 | 6 | ||||
| Corzatt | 1 | 2 |