Prep Football: Top 23 in 2023 Players of the Year (OLBs)

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

As the 2024 season edges closer, we're continuing to showcase standout performers from last season. Here, we present the Top 23 Outside Linebackers of the 2023 campaign, listed in alphabetical order.

Hector Armenta - Mount Miguel, 2024

Lucio Ascolani - Vincent Memorial, 2025

Trey Blazevich - La Costa Canyon, 2024

Aidan Cram - Bonita Vista, 2024

Dominic DeArcos - Mount Miguel, 2025

Humble Faalave-Johnson - St. Augustine, 2024

Luke Ferrelli - Carlsbad, 2024

Amio Fox - St. Augustine, 2025

Matthew Gutierrez - Brawley, 2025

Dyllan Irmen - Rancho Bernardo, 2025

Kairo Kahananui - Helix, 2024

Munir Kassa Jr. - Lincoln, 2025

Anthony McMillian Jr. - Mater Dei Catholic, 2024

Anthony Medina - San Diego, 2024

Joseph Minchello - Crawford, 2024

Mike Mohr - Montgomery, 2024

Jacob Morgan - Mission Bay, 2024

Manoouel Saka - Steele Canyon, 2024

Rex Theilacker - Scripps Ranch, 2025

James Tivao - Madison, 2024

Ezaya Tokio - St. Augustine, 2026

Eric White - Mount Miguel, 2024

Cayden Woolwine - San Marcos, 2024

Women's Football: Rebellion remain Unbeaten after holding off Seattle's late effort

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

Escondido, CA - The San Diego Rebellion stayed perfect on the season, improving to 3-0 with a 27-6 victory over the visiting Seattle Majestics (1-2) on Saturday night.

San Diego came out firing, recovering the opening kickoff at Seattle's 20-yard line. Quarterback Danny Trainor promptly capped the opening drive with a seven-yard touchdown run. The missed extra point left San Diego with an early 6-0 lead.

The first-quarter onslaught continued as the Rebellion offense remained in high gear. Running back Melina Malaxos punched it in from two yards out, and Trainor added another five-yard scoring run to extend San Diego's advantage to 20-0 after one quarter.

Seattle finally got on the board early in the second quarter. Cornerback Krista Seaman came up with a key interception, setting up a three-yard direct snap touchdown run by Andraliah Lee. But the Majestics failed to convert the two-point try, trailing 20-6.

Both defenses dug in during a scoreless third quarter. The Rebellion seized control early in the final period when Trainor broke free for a backbreaking 30-yard touchdown scamper to make it 27-6 after the extra point.

San Diego's swarming defense clamped down from there, securing the 27-6 victory. Trainor finished with a trio of rushing touchdowns to power the Rebellion's balanced offensive attack. Two-way athlete Nisha Taylor added to her stellar season with two interceptions, totaling three on the year. Linebacker Katie Claxton came up big with two recovered fumbles. 

The Rebellion will look to keep rolling next week when they host the 3-0 Atlanta Phoenix in a battle of unbeaten teams. Meanwhile, the Majestics have a bye to regroup before hitting the road to take on the Oregon Ravens in two weeks.

Women's Football: Rebellion Outlasts Utah in Defensive Battle

Salt Lake City, UT - The San Diego Rebellion (2-0) delivered a commanding performance against the Utah Falconz (1-1), securing a 24-7 victory Saturday night in a game marked by strong defensive plays and crucial turnovers.

The Rebellion set the tone early in the first quarter, with a blocked punt by Sabrina Kessler recovered in the end zone by Katie Claxton. Defensive touchdowns are worth nine points in the WNFC, so the play gave San Diego a 10-0 lead after a successful extra point by Jen Strother.

Utah fought back on the next possession, with Jessica Cannon powering her way into the end zone for a five-yard score on a pitch play. This cut the lead to 10-7 by the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, turnovers played a pivotal role, with both teams struggling to maintain possession. San Diego's Melina Melaxos's fumble was recovered inside Utah's red zone, but the Rebellion defense retained possession with an interception by Nisha Taylor.

San Diego held on to a 10-7 lead at halftime.

The Rebellion came out strong in the second half, with quarterback Danny Trainor finding an open Erica Arie on a pitch and catch for a 23-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 17-7.

The San Diego defense continued to shine, forcing turnovers and keeping the Falconz at bay.

In the fourth quarter, Natalia Escoto’s interception set up Trainor's 21-yard touchdown pass to Taylor, who made a spectacular catch in traffic on 4th and 12, extending the lead to 24-7 with 6:59 left to play.

Despite a late-game effort by Utah, including another recovered fumble on the San Diego 22-yard line, the Rebellion defense held strong against the triple option, securing the win.

Alone in first place in the WNFC's Pacific Conference, San Diego looks to carry this momentum forward as they return home next Saturday to host the Seattle Majestics.

Women's Football: Rebellion Set For Playoff Rematch at Utah

🏈 San Diego Rebellion (1-0) at Utah Falconz (1-0)

📆 Saturday, April 13th 🕔 6:30 p.m. PT

✈️ Highland High School (Salt Lake City, Utah)

📺 Caffeine TV ($)

One of the premiere games in Week 2 of WNFC action will be a renewal of one of the most competitive developing rivalries in the league.

The San Diego Rebellion (1-0) will travel to face the Utah Falconz (1-0) in a rematch of last year's playoff clash. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, April 13th in Salt Lake City, streaming live on Caffeine TV.

Last year, Utah swept the regular season series by a combined score of seven points, but the Rebellion ended their season with a 48-20 triumph in the Pacific Conference semifinals. Overall, the Falconz leads the all-time series 3-2, while San Diego has a 2-1 advantage in the postseason.

In Week 1, the Falconz escaped Seattle with a 30-22 double overtime win over the Majestics. The hard-fought victory was sparked by a strong performance from dual-threat quarterback Sara Galica, who had two rushing touchdowns, and all-pro running back Gina Magana who added 109 rushing yards and a score.

In the Rebellion's 21-7 win over the Las Vegas Silver Stars last week, quarterback Danny Trainor threw for 164 yards and two touchdowns. One went to halfback Melina Malaxos, who showcased her speed on a 44-yard screen pass. This matchup features two of the league's top offenses, but the Falconz defense, led by linebacker Ally Cleveland's 12 tackles, will look to slow down San Diego's balanced attack. Utah's ground-and-pound style, featuring running back Laura Goetz adding to the one-two punch with Magana, could be the difference.

While the Rebellion front-seven led by veteran linebacker Knengi Martin has shown the ability to stop the triple-option run, the secondary that notched three interceptions last week, will need those same clutch plays on 3rd-and-long and 4th down situations, where the Falconz passing game is known to excel.

With both teams currently ranked at the top of the Pacific Conference standings, this contest will have serious playoff implications.

Series History

July 17, 2021 - San Diego 22, Utah 18 (Conference Championship)

June 9, 2022 - Utah 23, San Diego 15 (Conference Semifinal)

April 1, 2023 - Utah 14, San Diego 8

May 6, 2023 - Utah 22, San Diego 21

June 8, 2023 - San Diego 48, Utah 20 (Conference Semifinal)

Prep Football: Top 23 in 2023 Players of the Year (OTs)

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

As the 2024 season edges closer, we're continuing to showcase standout performers from last season. Here, we present the Top 23 Offensive Tackles of the 2023 campaign, listed in alphabetical order.

Chance A’ano - El Camino, 2024

Alejandro Arzola - Granite Hills, 2024

Ian Baker - Westview, 2024

Sam Bjerke - Cathedral Catholic, 2024

Wyatt Britt - San Marcos, 2026

David Clifford - Poway, 2024

Steven Conde - Chula Vista, 2026

Luke Farr - Army & Navy Academy, 2024

Luke Givens - La Jolla Country Day, 2025

Josh Glanz - Eastlake, 2024

Johnny Gonzalez - Mater Dei Catholic, 2025

Davion Haley - Madison, 2024

Raschen Hardeman - Lincoln, 2025

Terry Hou - Del Norte, 2024

Joseph Hunt - Steele Canyon, 2024

Kai Jacobowitiz - Carlsbad, 2025

Sawyer Knox - Mission Hills, 2024

Andrew Langer - Carlsbad, 2025

Santiago Macias - Chula Vista, 2024

Orlando Nambo - Helix, 2024

Rowdy Seda - Granite Hills, 2024

Jett Thomas - La Jolla, 2025

Thomas Wilson - Rancho Buena Vista, 2025

Women's Football: Second Half Burst Helps Rebellion Defeat Vegas in Season Opener

Photo Credit: San Diego Rebellion Instagram

After two seasons playing for the Oregon Ravens, Danny Trainor made her debut as the new starting quarterback for the San Diego Rebellion. She made an immediate impact, scoring all three touchdowns to help the Rebellion (1-0) begin the season with a 21-7 victory over the Las Vegas Silver Stars (0-1) on Saturday night at Escondido High.

Former Rebellion standout Adriana Guttierez, returning to her hometown to face her former team, scored the only touchdown for Vegas with a 5-yard run. This gave the Silver Stars a 7-0 lead with 3:48 left in the 1st quarter. 

However, the Rebellion responded with 21 unanswered points. Trainor connected with Nisha Taylor for a 28-yard touchdown on 4th-and-18, tying the game at 7-7 with 8:50 remaining in the half. Shortly after, Trainor completed a screen pass to running back Melina Malaxos, who raced 44 yards to the end zone, putting San Diego up 14-7 with 6:01 left in the half.

San Diego's defense dominated the second half, forcing three turnovers. Linebacker Katie Claxton started the turnover spree with an interception, while Daisy Avila intercepted a pass in the end zone, thwarting Vegas's attempt to tie the game. Trainor added a quarterback scramble for a touchdown as time expired in the third quarter. Cornerback Markeisha Perry's interception on the 5-yard line with 7:23 left to play effectively sealed the win for the Rebellion as they head to Salt Lake City next week to face the Utah Falconz, who will be seeking revenge after the Rebellion ended their season with a 48-20 playoff defeat.