After matching up with both Lakewood and Hobbton high schools Saturday during the annual Pigskin Jamboree, North Duplin’s head coach, Hugh Martin, said the coaching staff was pleased with the Rebels on the field, especially the offense’s execution.

“We were very pleased,” said Martin. “We thought our effort was good. Our defense did a good job running to the ball, and the offense at times executed well and other times didn’t right the right route.”

After evaluating the Rebels last Saturday night, Martin focused on the upcoming season, Tuesday, where, he said, he hopes to continue to play well.

“I expect these young men to represent themselves as they should at school and in the community,” Martin said of his expectations for the 2009 season. “We are going to practice and play as hard as we can.”

According to Martin, the Rebels tend to stick with the basics on the field.

“We try to be very basic and do what we do as well as we can,” Martin shared, adding that the Rebels focus on adapting from what they see week-to-week.

During their time on the field this season, the Rebels will be executing a Spread Gun offense with some I, Martin revealed.

As for the defense, they will present a multiple 50, which is similar, yet different, from the 3-5-3 they ran last season.

“It is similar, but different,” Martin told. “We are just trying to use a different alignment this year.”

After finishing 6-7, going 3-2, finishing third in the 1-A Conference 5 and making it to the second round of the playoffs, Martin hopes for a successful season this year as well; however, he added that each game will be a challenge.

“The next game is always the toughest game,” Martin said. “We take in one week at a time and try not to get caught up looking at records.”

In order to prepare for the “tough games,” which include: Southside, Lakewood, Union, Hobbton, Dixon, Lejeune, Goldsboro, Princeton, Ayden-Grifton, Rosewood and Spring Creek, Martin and the coaching staff will focus on enhancing the Rebel strengths and fixing their question marks.

As for a strength this season, Martin said the Rebels are more experienced on the field.

“We have more experience coming back overall this year, but there are still some younger players,” Martin admitted.

As for returners, Martin revealed that there are five returnees this season, who are a year stronger than the younger players, which he considered an asset.

“That year just really helps when you are out there on a Friday night,” Martin said.

In addition to experience, the Rebels will see two quarterbacks this season, both, Martin confirmed, will who see playing time.

“You never know when one will get injured. It is always good to have many prepared. Both the quarterbacks are going to play, but it will be a week by week situation,” Martin explained.

With the two quarterbacks duking it out at practice for the starting position, Martin and the coaching staff will be focusing on the youth that does occupy some positions.

“Youth is a question mark,” Martin commented. “They are inexperienced and need some game time to develop an understanding of the positions.”

Although the Rebels have some strengths and question marks, Martin revealed that Blake King and Akeen Cox were the teams biggest losses from last season.

The North Duplin rebels will take on Southside, away, Friday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at (910) 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@myclintonnc.com