SHERBURN &045; With the Gopher Valley Conference football championship and the top seed in their section secured, the only incentive for the United South Central Rebels was to keep their unbeaten record intact.

They did.

The Rebels improved to 8-0 Wednesday night, defeating Martin County West 17-3 in the final game of the regular season at Sherburn.

&uot;It was a rainy, misty night, and our defense gave up some yards but we kept them out of the end zone,&uot; said USC coach Brent Schimek. &uot;Like I told the kids, it wasn’t a pretty win but we’ll take it.&uot;

John Niebuhr had a huge night, rushing for 190 yards and scoring on a 65-yard run.

Steven Wood led the defense with 11 tackles and a sack. Chris Adams had eight tackles and an interception, Jon Voigt six tackles and an interception.

The Rebels open the section tournament Tuesday against Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop at Wells.

USC

&045;

7

10

0

0

&045;

17

MCW

&045;

0

0

3

0

&045;

3

First Quarter

USC &045; Wetzell 2 run (Knutson kick)

Second Quarter

USC &045; Niebuhr 65 run (Knutson kick

USC &045; Knutson 32 field goal

Third Quarter

MCW &045; 25 field goal

Fourth Quarter

No scoring.

USC, MCW

Rushing yards: 288, 177

Passing yards: 34, 82

Total yards: 322, 259

Pen.-Yds.: 4-30, 5-35

Turnovers: 0, 2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING&045;USC Niebuhr 18-190; Haugh 9-42.

PASSING&045;USC, Wetzell 4-12-0, 34.

RECEIVING&045;USC, Wood 1-12; Voigt 1-11; Adams 1-9; Haugh 1-2.