San Diego Rebellion 2026 Season Preview: A Championship Window Wide Open

Head Coach: Knengi Martin

Home Stadium: Chick Embrey Field at Escondido High

League: Women's National Football Conference

Division: Pacific

Official Website: SanDiegoRebellion.com

The San Diego Rebellion are entering their eighth season of football (7th in the WNFC) in 2026, and the standard has never been higher. After a 7-1 campaign in 2025 that ended with a 36-0 loss to the eventual IX Cup champion Texas Elite Spartans in the Western Conference Final—the Rebellion return with a clear mission: finish the job.

By the Numbers: 2025 in Review

Points Per Game: 29.2 (2nd)

Points Allowed Per Game: 6.8 (2nd)

Rushing Yards Per Game: 224.2 (1st)

Passing Yards Per Game: 32.2 (17th)

The backfield was a two-headed monster in 2025. Kesz Wesley piled up 482 rushing yards (8.3 YPC) with 8 touchdowns, while Regina Escoto Macias added 448 yards (6.8 YPC) and 6 scores. The pair combined to form the most productive rushing tandem in the league.

Defensively, the Rebellion were equally relentless. Linebacker Brittani Lusain racked up 46 tackles (8 for loss), forced fumbles, and intercepted two passes . Fellow linebacker Katie Claxton added 45 tackles (10 for loss), a forced fumble, and a 47-yard pick-six that iced a 44-3 blowout of Seattle . Up front, Alena Kuzmova led the pass rush with 4.5 sacks.

Quarterback Daniella Trainor missed time in 2025, forcing Alia Karmali into action. Karmali responded admirably, throwing for 97 yards and adding 89 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. When healthy, Trainor is a dual-threat who gives the offense another dimension. Her return to full strength is the X-factor for 2026.

The 2026 Schedule: New Faces, Familiar Foes

March 28: @ Golden State Storm (Oakland, CA)

April 4: vs. Los Angeles Legends

April 11: @ Las Vegas Silver Stars

April 28: vs. Golden State Storm

May 2: @ Kansas City Glory

May 16: vs. Utah Falconz