A 1-2 mark is how the Hays Rebels closed their hosting duties at the annual Rebel Cup tournament, which signaled the start of the program’s 2018 season.
The Rebels started tournament play Jan. 4 with a hard-fought 4-3 win over the Akins Eagles.
The game stayed tight for the first half, ending with the Rebels trailing at halftime 2-1.
The deficit was beneficial for the Rebels, as it gave them an early dose of adversity to kick off the season. Sophomore Gerardo Rodriguez responded and put the team on his back. Rodriguez recorded a hat trick to lead the Rebels to the narrow one-goal win.
Rebel head coach Jason Burnett was pleased with how his kids performed in the first game.
“The boys played great. Rodriguez put us over the top, and the kids played hard,” Burnett said.
However, Hays was unable to maintain momentum later in the day as they dropped a 7-2 decision to a strong Cedar Creek Eagle program.
The matchup proved rough for the Rebels, as they came in already slightly banged up. Burnett also said there was some confusion with officiating.
Head Coach Burnett felt that adversity was good for his team.
“Adversity is good for their mental growth,” Burnett said. Burnett added his team played hard in the second game but still had some improving to do.
Hays closed its tournament with a 5-1 loss to the New Braunfels Canyon Cougars.
That loss eliminated the Rebels from contention for one of the three championship games of the tournament.
Despite the disappointing results, The Rebels came away from the tournament with items to work on, while also gaining some valuable experience.
“Our biggest strength to take away from the tournament, was that we transitioned very, very well from offense to defense,” Burnett said.
Burnett was most impressed by how quickly his team gelled this early in the season.
“A lot of these kids, they haven’t played together a whole lot, and that is what I am most proud of. How much they are coming together and beginning to trust each other so early,” Burnett said.
Hays returns to action Thursday, Jan. 11 when they travel to Marble Falls.
