Boot Camp: Stark County embraces target after unbeaten regular season last fall

TOULON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Stark County is wearing a target and the Rebels know it.

Jade Noard’s Stark County Rebels had a massive year in 2023, going 9-0 in the regular season and advancing to the second round of the state playoffs. Stark County’s 10-win record marked its first double-digit win total since the 2015 team went 13-1 and finished as state runner-up.

The Rebels hope to keep rolling but they know now teams are out to knock off the defending Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Conference champs.

“It’s not just five or six teams, it’s all nine,” senior running back Nolan Orwig said of the teams in his schedule that want to beat the Rebels. “That’s the kind of problem that comes with being conference champions. It’s everyone in the conference. It’s a problem that I love. I want to be the guy that everyone wants to beat.”

Orwig along with fellow seniors Cole Kinsella and Chris Barnwell are returning two-way starters for Noard. Senior lineman Owen Hess, who started seven games as a sophomore, is back on the field after an injury sidelined him in 2023.

“There’s some pressure this year. I want to go 9-0 and make a deeper run into the playoffs,” said Kinsella. “I want to leave our mark at Stark County as seniors this year.”

The Rebels finished 10-1 after a second-round playoff loss at ROWVA, which also eliminated Stark County from the 2022 playoffs.

“We feel we have a strong, senior group of guys up front and return both running backs,” Noard said of Orwig and Barnell. “Defensively we were opportunistic last year but gave up a lot of yards and time of possession. Both areas we hope to improve upon this year.”

Stark County opens the season at Rushville-Industry on Aug. 30.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.