The Rebels will open the 2018 season in prime time against East Ridge Thursday, August 30th at Rebel Stadium.  They’ll be back under the bright lights again the next week against arch-rival Anoka in the bowl at Goodrich Field.

For new head coach, Nick Keenan, getting off to a strong start is important for his team.  While finishing is the most important thing, starting strong can build momentum for the entire season and is important for playoff seeding.  While many position the playoffs as a new season, the regular season determines your seeding in the playoff bracket.  Last year, a .500 regular season at 4-4, led to the Rebels drawing the #1 team in the state, Eden Prairie, in the second round.  Even though the Rebels almost beat the Eagles, they would have preferred to play them later in the playoffs. 

The Rebels return two players on offense who have started including:  Center Aaron Crema (2 games) and Quarterback Bennett Otto (9 games), who started his sophomore year and missed last year due to injury. 

There are also eleven players returning who started games on defense:  Hayden Carr (10 games), Kiernan Lundgren (10 games), Vincent Lamberty (8 games), Johnson Freeman (8 games), Nick Villamizar (8 games), Todd Popp (7 games), Louis Powell (5 games), Cory Kyro (2 games), Cole Fredrickson (2 games), William Walsh (1 game), and Sam Knutson (1 game). There is some excitement in Champlin around the potential of this squad when you look at the strong senior class complimented by some key Juniors and Sophomores.

Here is the complete 2018 Champlin Park Varsity schedule:

Week 1: vs East Ridge – Aug 30, 7:00 pm @ Rebels Stadium (Football Camp Night)
Week 2: at Anoka — Sept. 7, 7:00 pm @ Goodrich Field
Week 3: vs St. Michael Albertville — Sept. 14, 7:00 pm @ Rebels Stadium (Youth Night)
Week 4: at Osseo — Sept. 21, 7:00 pm @ John Hansen Stadium at Carl Tonn Field
Week 5: vs Blaine — Sept. 28, 7:00 pm @ Rebels Stadium (Homecoming)
Week 6: at Roseville — Oct. 5, 7:00 pm @ Roseville Stadium
Week 7: at Centennial — Oct. 12, 7:00 pm @ Centennial Stadium
Week 8: vs Totino Grace — Oct. 17, 7:00 pm @ Rebels Stadium (Senior Night)