WATERVILLE – As the rain started to fall, the hopes began to rise for the United South Central Rebels.

Saturday, September 15, 2001

WATERVILLE – As the rain started to fall, the hopes began to rise for the United South Central Rebels.

Maybe, just maybe, the slick conditions could hinder the passing attack of the Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers.

It didn’t.

The defending Gopher Valley Conference champions threw the ball pretty much at will while defeating the Rebels 35-10 at Waterville Thursday night.

Rebels coach Brent Schimek, whose team lost for the first time in three games this season, said the Buccaneers are every bit as good as their No. 3 ranking in Class 2A indicates.

&uot;They’re not as big, but they can throw the ball,&uot; said Schimek. &uot;It didn’t matter about the weather. (WEM quarterback) Rupe pretty much audibled every play. He comes to the line and goes where you aren’t. They’ll be a contender.&uot;

The Bucs scored on their opening drive on the first of four touchdown passes.

The Rebels answered, though, taking a lead when Jon Beyer scored on an 8-yard run and Trent Ulrich kicked the extra point.

The Bucs came back with another touchdown pass, this one from 75 yards.

Ulrich kicked a 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter for the Rebels’ final points.

WEM added a touchdown pass and a punt return for a score in the third period.

Beyer led the Rebels in rushing with 63 yards on 15 carries.

The defensive leaders were Dusty Niebuhr with seven tackles and a sack, and Matt Bird with five tackles and a fumble recovery.

USC 7 3 0 0 – 10

WEM 14 7 14 0 – 35

First Quarter

WEM-Kunelius 7 pass from Rupe (PAT failed)

USC-Beyer 8 run (Ulrich kick)

WEM-Kunelius 75 pass from Rupe (Kunelius pass from Rupe)

Second Quarter

USC-Ulrich 25 field goal

WEM-Kunelius 4 pass from Rupe (kick good)

Third Quarter

WEM-Kunelius 19 pass from Rupe (kick good

WEM-Woitas 42 punt return (kick good)

Fourth Quarter

No scoring

USC WEM

Rushing yards 97 86

Passing yards 2 165

Total yards 99 251

Turnovers 0 2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-USC, Beyer 15-63.

PASSING-USC, Wetzell 2-9-0, 2.

RECEIVING-USC, Adams 1-4, Johnson 1 -2.