Women's Football: Rebellion tops latest WNFC Rankings

The San Diego Rebellion are soaring through the 2025 WNFC season with a 4-0 record, cementing their status as the top ranked team in the league. But their success hasn’t come without challenges. Key injuries to linebacker Knengi Martin and offensive lineman Johanna Aspenberg—both ruled out for the season—have tested the team’s depth. Meanwhile, all-pro quarterback Daniella Trainor has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, leaving her return timeline uncertain. Despite these setbacks, the Rebellion continue to dominate, blending resilience with relentless execution.

Even without Trainor’s dual-threat playmaking ability, San Diego’s offense has thrived behind the WNFC’s most effective rushing attack. The Rebellion have bulldozed opponents for a league-leading 903 rushing yards—over 200 yards more than the next-closest team—fueled by the dynamic duo of Kesz Wesley and Regina Escoto. Wesley averages 8.2 yards per carry with 343 yards and five touchdowns, while Escoto has 316 yards and four scores. Backup QB Alia Karmali has admirably stepped in, adding two rushing touchdowns. Though the passing game has stalled without Trainor, the Rebellion’s ground-centric identity continues to demoralize opposing defenses.

The Rebellion’s defense has been on a tear, allowing just nine total points (2.2 per game) and is coming off two straight shutouts. Losing Martin, a tackling machine with 19 combined stops and 3.5 tackles for loss, was a blow. Yet the unit hasn’t missed a beat. Brittani Lusain and Katie Claxton have been unstoppable, tallying 32 tackles each, while Alena Kuzmova leads the team with two sacks. The secondary has also shined, with Taranisha Taylor recording five pass deflections.

San Diego face the Oregon Ravens (May 10) and Denver Bandits (May 17) to close out their regular season schedule—games they’re favored to win. A healthy return from Trainor could provide a late-season boost, but even without her, The Rebellion’s formula—crush opponents on the ground, suffocate them on defense—remains effective. With playoff seeding in sight, the Rebellion are focused on maintaining their unbeaten streak and honoring their injured teammates as they maintain the top seed in the Western Conference.

2025 NFL Draft Profile: KeyShawn Smith, WR, SMU

Position: Wide Receiver

College: Southern Methodist (Previously Miami)

High School: LINCOLN

Height/Weight: 6'1", 191lbs

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Born in San Diego, California, Keyshawn Smith’s football journey reflects resilience, from earning his stripes at Miami to transferring to SMU for a fresh start. His high school accolades and college growth highlight a player dedicated to refining his craft.

Smith emerged as a standout wide receiver at Lincoln High School, leading the program to back-to-back CIF San Diego Championship games, winning the Division II title in 2018 with two catches for 50 yards and a touchdown catch that was featured on ESPN's "You Got Mossed". 

As a senior, he recorded 46 receptions for 808 yards and eight receiving touchdowns, showcasing his speed, reliable hands, and playmaking ability. Beyond receiving, he added versatility with three rushing touchdowns and returned both a punt and a kickoff for scores. A consensus three-star prospect, he was ranked among the top 100 players in California by ESPN (No. 78), Rivals (No. 84), and 247Sports (No. 86). His performance drew offers from schools like Washington State, Boise State, San Diego State, Tennessee, and UNLV, but he ultimately committed to the University of Miami on January 21, 2020.

Smith redshirted his first year at Miami, seeing limited action as he adjusted to the college game during the COVID-affected season. Granted an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic, Smith broke out as a key contributor, starting all 12 games for the Hurricanes. He finished with 33 receptions for 405 yards and three touchdowns, ranking third on the team in catches and receiving yards. Notable games included a career-high seven catches for 73 yards against North Carolina (Oct. 16) and 82 yards on three receptions at Pittsburgh (Oct. 30).

Women's Football: Rebellion's Complete Performance Overwhelms Seattle

KENT, WA - The San Diego Rebellion made a powerful statement Saturday night with a 44-3 triumph over the Seattle Majestics in a display of rushing prowess and defensive domination at French Field.

After falling behind 3-0 on Jocelyn Charette's 31-yard field goal late in the first quarter, the Rebellion (2-0) responded with 44 unanswered points. San Diego's ground game proved unstoppable, producing four rushing touchdowns from four different ball carriers while amassing 238 rushing yards on just 26 carries (9.2 average).

The WNFC's leader in rushing yards heading into Week 3, Regina Escoto ignited the offensive explosion with a 39-yard touchdown scamper early in the second quarter, finishing with 79 yards on just 7 carries (11.3 avg). Kesz Wesley matched that production with 79 yards and two touchdowns (1-yard, 40-yard) on 7 carries to extend the margin to 21-3, showcasing the Rebellion's dominant offensive line play.

The defensive highlight came early in the fourth quarter when linebacker Katie Claxton intercepted a Seattle pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 30-3 and effectively sealing the game. Claxton finished with 9 tackles (3 for loss), a forced fumble, and the pick-six in a standout defensive performance. Linebacker Brittani Lusain led all defenders with 12 tackles.

Quarterback Danielle Trainor was efficient when needed, completing 4-of-9 passes for 18 yards while adding 51 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Backup QB Alia Karmali capped the scoring with a 28-yard touchdown run in her only carry of the game.

Seattle's offense struggled throughout, with quarterback Alexis Catton completing just 4-of-9 passes for 13 yards with an interception. Former Rebellion RB Adriana Gutierrez provided the lone bright spot for the Majestics with 95 yards on 21 carries (4.5 avg).

Next week the Rebellion returns home to host the Los Angeles Legends as they continue their run for a top seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.

Strike Force Mounts Thrilling Fourth-Quarter Comeback to Defeat Vegas

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

Henderson, NV - In a game defined by momentum swings and late-game heroics, the San Diego Strike Force (1-2) erased a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Vegas Knight Hawks (1-2) 35-27 on Friday night. Quarterback Nate Davis spearheaded the comeback with three touchdown passes, while the defense forced critical turnovers to seal the win.

This marked a revenge victory for the Strike Force, who suffered a heartbreaking comeback loss to Vegas in the season opener back on March 31st.

Women's Football: Rebellion Seeks Road Victory in Seattle

🏈 San Diego Rebellion (1-0) at Seattle Majestics (1-1)

📍 French Field (Kent, WA)

📅 Saturday, April 11th 🕔 6:00 PM (PT)

💻 Victory+

The San Diego Rebellion (1-0) travel to the Pacific Northwest this weekend for a pivotal Western Conference showdown against the Seattle Majestics (1-1) in what could serve as an early playoff preview.

The Rebellion dominate the all-time series 5-1 and enter rested after a Week 1 rout of Utah (40-6) and a Week 2 bye. Seattle opened 2025 with a dominant 51-6 Week 1 rout of the Las Vegas Silver Stars but stumbled in Week 2 with a 42-0 shutout loss to the Texas Elite Spartans. They now seek redemption and their first win over San Diego since 2019, having dropped five straight in this rivalry.

The Rebellion’s offensive identity crystallized in their opener, spearheaded by running back Regina Escoto, who gashed Utah for 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries (8.0 avg). San Diego’s offensive line dominated the trenches, paving the way for 302 team rushing yards—a league-high through Week 2.

2025 NFL Draft Profile: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Position: Offensive Tackle

College: Ohio State (Previously SAN DIEGO STATE)

 High School: MADISON & HELIX

Height/Weight: 6'5", 310lbs

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Projected Round: Late 1st to Early 2nd

Josh Simmons is an athletic offensive tackle prospect with experience on both sides of the line. After starting his career at San Diego State, Simmons transferred to Ohio State where he solidified himself as one of the nation's top tackles before suffering a season-ending patellar tendon tear in his left knee during the 2024 campaign. His combination of fluid movement skills, technical development, and versatility makes him an intriguing prospect despite the injury concerns.

Following a standout run at Madison High School, Simmons transferred to Helix for his senior campaign and was slated to play for the Highlanders in 2020 before COVID postponed the season.

Simmons spent his first two collegiate seasons at San Diego State, redshirting in 2021 before becoming a full-time starter at right tackle in 2022. He transferred to Ohio State in 2023, where he started every game at left tackle. During his time with the Buckeyes, Simmons established himself as a key piece of their offensive line, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2024 despite playing in just six games.

In total, Simmons started 32 collegiate games (19 at left tackle, 13 at right tackle) and showed consistent improvement throughout his career. He was part of Ohio State's national championship team in 2024 before his injury sidelined him for the second half of the season.

Simmons projects as a developmental starting tackle with scheme versatility at the next level. While his athletic traits and experience on both sides of the line are valuable, he may need time to recover from his injury and refine his technical approach before taking on starting responsibilities. His ceiling is that of a quality starting tackle, but his floor depends largely on his recovery and development of functional strength.

Josh Simmons is an absolute monster.
33 reps on the bench🏋️💪@OhioStateFB @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/bct7rbbuFb

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 26, 2025

2025 NFL Draft Spotlight:

KeyShawn Smith, WR, SMU