MAPLETON &045; It was homecoming for Maple River.

The United South Central Rebels turned it into a celebration of their own.

The Rebels, playing their best football of the season, dominated 35-6 at Mapleton Friday night.

&uot;We’re finally getting in step,&uot; said USC coach Brent Schimek, whose team improved its record to 2-3. &uot;We’re finally getting some things together.&uot;

The Rebels got the game’s first points in the opening quarter, when Brandon Haugh threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Adam Schrader. A second-quarter safety and an 8-yard scoring pass from Haugh to Schrader made it 15-6 at halftime.

Shea Kaiser scored on a pair of 1-yard runs in the second half and Callen Pitcher added a 75-yard touchdown dash.

For the night, Pitcher ran 23 times for 163 yards while Kaiser carried 18 for 100. Haugh was 5-for-16 for 186 yards and one interception. Schrader had four receptions for 133 yards.

Kaiser and Pitcher had six tackles apiece to lead the defense.

&uot;It was a very good team-oriented win,&uot; said Schimek. &uot;We played excellent team defense and our offensive line really picked it up tonight.&uot;

The Rebels face their toughest test of the season this Friday at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown.