They’re excited about Saturday’s 1-A semifinal in Stark County. But they are not excited about preparing or it in the cold.

"It definitely plays with your mind a little bit," said quarterback Greg Daum, who threw for 3 TD's in last week's 25-13 quarterfinal win over Polo. "The season starts off in August, its really hot and you’re sweating. If you get this far its supper cold and you just have to be mentally tough and battle these conditions."

The Rebels are warming up to the fact that they’ll be underdogs against 12-0 Milledgeville, a team that’s outscored its three playoff opponents by almost 100 points.

"Coming into the playoffs on a 3-game losing streak our kids felt like they were the underdog the whole way through this," said head coach Jade Noard. I think we’ve gotten used to that role and I think the kids kind of enjoy that."

Saturday’s game at Milledgeville will be a walk down memory lane for Rebels assistant coach Gabe Barta. Barta was a member of the 1997 Rebels team that played in the state championship game and had told this generation of Rebels to savor the experience.

"This is a once in a lifetime experience," said Barta, who coaches the Rebels offensive line. "You don’t get a chance to play in the semifinal game every year. This is something that they’re going to carry with them the rest of their lives. Its something where they need to take a step back and definitely realize what they’ve accomplished up to this point."

Daum has taken Barta's advice.

"He’s been reminding us all year how they stayed focused, even in cold weather. He tells us to stay focused and just to enjoy the moment. So few people get this chance to go this far. Its just an exciting time and we should enjoy it."