(Park Hills, MO) Members of the 2023 Central Rebels State Championship winning football team received championship rings Thursday night at a ceremony held at the TJ Foulon Fieldhouse.
Special guests Chris Warden and MSHSAA representative Craig Gibbs congratulated the athletes and coaches before Rebel head coach Kory Schweiss spoke about the entire season, mentioned individual and team accomplishments, and congratulated his group.
The Rebels won the first three games of the season, but an injury to senior quarterback Casen Murphy thrust Jobe Bryant into the QB role, shaking up the offense. Although Central lost the next three games, the offense continued to grow.
Murphy returned to the gridiron and the Rebels became an unstoppable force, winning the next eight games through the end of the season, including a rematch with Ste. Genevieve in the Class 3, District 1 Championship.
Schweiss has coached Central since 2004, collecting the program’s first District title in 2010, but had to wait until 2023 to get its first State playoff win. That came on November 18th when his club dominated St. Francis Borgia 50-28.
The following week Blair Oaks gave the Rebels all they could but were just short as Central hung on for a 48-43 road victory. The Rebels headed to the championship for the first time ever to meet Seneca at Faurot Field in Columbia, MO.
A one sided first half favored Central, but Seneca stepped up in the second half bringing it to a one score game with possession, until Bryant collected a fumble and the Rebels never looked back.
Schweiss spoke about how proud he is of his team.
Former players received a shirt honoring their commitment to the program.
The special season was highlighted by several players receiving conference, district, and state accolades. Central Athletics on X (formerly known as Twitter) recognized the players.