bronxrebelsfb interviews linebacker G. Mora

BronxRebelsFB interviewed Intro Linebacker Guelmis Mora as the Rebels started training camp for the 2008 football season. We sat down with Mora and gathered thoughts on his preparation and motivation for 2008.   

 

 

 

 

BronxRebelsFB:  Tell me Guelmis – how does if feel being back for another year with the Intro Rebels?
guelmismora:  It it feels very good to see that I can finally finish off where i left off since I was badly injured last season and missed a few games

BronxRebelsFB:  That’s right you were injured last year, how did you get hurt?
guelmismora:   I was playing middle linebacker and it was a sweep to the left side, as i was chasing the runner I was hit  with metal cleats on my leg.
BronxRebelsFB:  Who were you playing against?
guelmismora:  The Co-Op City Rough Riders
BronxRebelsFB:  I see – were they a good team?
guelmismora:  Well any team with heart and dedication is a good team no matter what size, small or big. But the Rough Riders beat us so i guess their guys were more dedicated than ours

BronxRebelsFB:  how many games did you miss last year?
guelmismora:  I missed about a good 3 and a half… because when we were facing the South Bronx Chargers I tried to get back into the game and re-injured myself.

BronxRebelsFB:  Sounds like most of the season. That’s too bad. But it seems you were dedicated enough to make a comeback this season. You put a statement on the Rebel website about winning a championship in the new Gridiron Elite Youth Football League. Tell me, why did you give that statement?
guelmismora:  Well during the spring season I discovered a new group of kids that signed up for the intros… these were brand new kids… not the same group from last year.. and i noticed that for some of them, it was their first year playing football. They were doing a great  job and giving it their best throughout the spring season… Secondly, I personally never won a trophy in my life. I love this game of football and i would do anything for it. I wrote that statement because i thought it would bring a spark to the league, other teams and players. There is also controversy about people leaving the team others even saying they cant wait to face the Rebels. So with the statement I tried to calm the situation but at the same time get the Rebels (Peewees, intros, and Jr. Pros.) to want the chip as much as i want it.

BronxRebelsFB:  You mentioned controversy of people leaving the team, and how people want to face the Rebels. Why did people leave, and why do people want to play the Rebels so badly?
BronxRebelsFB:  You also mentioned new kids on the team that seem to be doing really well. Want to give some “shout outs” to those on the team that deserve them?
guelmismora:  For the most part, I’m assuming, that the reason why people are leaving the team is because they feel as if most of the players are not dedicated as much. From my perspective this year…The rebels are no joke. I personally don’t really care who leaves, or who is talking trash about the team. Because at the end of the day it all comes down to what happens between the white lines. Another reason why I think people want to face the rebels so badly is because we have a long history of players that played for the Rebels and are now successful. So any team that tries to go against us.. and hypothetically beats us have the right to brag.
guelmismora:  Yes there’s alot of new people on the team.. for the most part I would like to give a shot out to Jordan Apolinario Linebacker Icee-Ahmed Mete also linebacker these two guys are in the same page as me when it comes to wanting the chip and they both have been training along side with me during our 3 week break.. which takes alot of dedication because it is the summer..

BronxRebelsFB:  ok – anybody else you want to give a shout out to?
BronxRebelsFB:  just one more question – it seems in this new league, there will be some tough competition. Any thoughts?

guelmismora:  I would like to give a shout out to the coaching staff.. they are really doing a great job when it comes to training us and helping us become men and great footblal players. I could tell that the coaches want to succeed in the fall.  New league, well ive always been presented with obstacles and things that I had to overcome and for the most part I’ve been successful. It doesn’t matter who we are facing as long as we want to win. For the most part I think that the other teams who are in our league should be preparing for us.

Jr Pros face first test, and PASS !!!

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY JASON REYES  

When you think of Rebels Jr Pro football, passing normally does not come to mind. This year, the Jr Pros seem to be opening things up. On Wendesday evening, the Junior Pro Rebels headed to Tibbits Field in Yonkers to face Yonkers High School and Lincoln High School in a 7 on 7 competition. The Rebels unveiled their new passing attack led by #7 Jason Reyes. Reyes impressed with  5 TD passes, while  #6 Dexter Bello also impressed by throwing 2 TD passes. The vaunted Rebel Defense also showed up big with 2 interceptions by # 11 Hector Graciano, allowing 2 scores all day.

The Junior Pro Rebels head up to Somers next Wendesday to face other High School teams. Stay tuned for results from next week.

Rebel Alumnus visits Gridiron Elite Stadium

Sometimes you have to visit your past, to look into the future. The Rebels in the early nineties began a tear through the Warner Football Conference Junior Division, and Daniel Navarro was a very big reason for our success. Navarro played offensive guard, linrbacker and nose guard, all while earning a B+ average in school. Daniel has gone on to be successful in the medical field, while raising two beautiful daughters.

Actually, it was Danny’s brother Vincent, which led to the renunion between Navarro and Coach Baxter. Vincent’s son plays Rebels Baseball, and this brought Danny to Gridiron Elite Stadium to visit with his old Coach. “I was so proud to see him, happy, healthy, and successful.” said Baxter.

Baxter has asked Navarro to visit with the program this Tuesday as the Jr Pros scrimmage the Bronx County Cardinals. While meeting with two Rebels today, he recounted one of his most memorable games.

“We played the Brooklyn Hurricanes, and they were undefeated and unscored upon for two years. We were the only team to not only score, but run up 35 points and nearly beat them. We have always put up points and scored. But that night, we let the Canes’ and the world know we could play”

That season, the Rebels qualified for the playoffs, but lost in the first round. The following season, we lost to the Hurricanes 6 to 2, but again lost in the playoffs against the Springfield Rifles.

Navarro is just one of several Rebels alumni that visit the program. In the near future, we will feature a where are they now segment, detailing the lives of past Bronx Rebels. We will also speak about memorable games against teams like the Bayside Raiders, Brooklyn Skyhawks, Linvet Jets, and Queens Falcons, and recount the Warner Football Conference.                                

Mora makes a Statement for all Rebel Players

Guelmis Mora, the brash young Rebels Linebacker, has thrown down the gauntlet for all Rebels to follow and all teams to know. We will try to get an interview with this student athlete when camp begins on Sarurday, July 19th @ Gridiron Elite Stadium. Is he stepping up to be a leader? Time, and our interview will tell.  

Daley Returns to face Rebels

In a season full of promise, the Rebels will see a familiar face in a very different jersey. Kaliph Daley, the brash and confident quarterback of the 2007 Rebels, will return to Gridiron Elite Stadium to face the Rebels as the starting quarterback of the second year Bronx County Cardinals. The Cardinals now have a new Head Coach and coaching staff. 

Other Rebels that have moved to the Cardinals for 2008 are John Moore and Khalil Lewis.

Stay tuned for reaction to this development, as the Cardinals come to Gridiron Elite stadium for a scrimmage July 22nd.    

Jr.Pro Rebels to scrimmage Salisbury Prep

In a surprise move, Coach Baxter has announced a scrimmage with the storied Salisbury Preparatory School set for September 2008. “It will give our boys a real test” says Baxter, as Salisbury has won Championships in their New England League in two of the past five years.

“This is something we have been trying to do for the past two seasons, but now the scheduling will allow it to happen. Coach Adamson and I are in touch and will decide on a definitive date before the end of July”

Stay tuned   

Jr. Pro Schedule Announced

The following is the final schedule for the Jr. Pro Division:

September 20 – AWAY vs. Maryland Longhorns – Baltimore, Md. Time  – TBA

September 27 – HOME vs Bronx County Cardinals -Gridiron Elite Staduim -6pm

October 4       – AWAY vs Bronx Dolphins – TBA

October 11     -HOME vs Bronx Invaders – Gridiron Elite Stadium – 6pm  

October 18     -AWAY vs Pittsburgh – TBA – 8pm

October 25     -HOME vs Brooklyn Wolverines – Gridiron Elite Stadium – 6pm

November 1   -AWAY vs  Queens Gladiators – PALS Oval – TBA

November 8   -HOME vs Brooklyn Patriots – Gridiron Elite Stadium – 2pm

Playoffs and Championship Rounds are TBA -This year’s championship venue is still to be determined.    

Guerra and Bethel move up from Intros

Jose “Tego” Guerra and Teddy Bethel have made the successful transition from Intro to Jr Pro football. Guerra, who will wear # 2 for the Jr. Pros is competing for a spot in the defensive backfield, and Bethel, who will wear # 3, will vie to replace long time Rebel linebacker Neville Bryant. “Neville’s shoes are kinda big to fill, but I just wanna play and hit somebody” said Bethel before press time.

Both players were stars on the Intermediate team for two seasons, and now have the opportunity to move up and play with the big boys. “This is what our program is all about” said HC Baxter, who is also the program’s Executive Director. We give kids a chance to play football on a level on par with the high schools, many times sending them to high schools to play. Both of these young men have been taught in the Rebel tradition of hard nosed football. I expect both to compete for starting jobs on both sides of the ball”

Both Guerra and Bethel have been looked at by several high school coaches as prospects. Guerra will attend John F Kennedy this fall and try out for the Junior Varsity. Bethel has been looked at by Salisbury Prep School, and can be asked for a visit if he improves his grades this year. “Our program is working” says Baxter.

Go get em Tego and Teddy!!               

"The Missile" Heads to Syracuse

Notre Dame had the Rocket. The Bronx Rebels, for a short time, had The Missile”. Linebacker Noel Sanchez, a star linebacker for Rockland County High School, came down to play with the Rebels for a short time, just to get some extra work in before heading to Syracuse University on full football scholarship this fall.  

“When he contacted me and said he wanted to work out – I was not going to say no” said Coach Baxter. “He reminds me of Mike Singletary of the ‘86 Chicago Bears – he sees everything and hits with his eyes wide open. This young man will be a success at Syracuse, and in whatever he wants to do in life. Very manerable, very well liked, intelligent, and an excellent football player. He should do very well at Syracuse.” 

Coach Kevin Pryor concurs. “This young man is special, and i’m glad he is going to a program that will make him work and excel both on and off the field”. 

“The scrimmage vs the Gators was the first time we got to see him during game action. We nicknamed him the missle because he attacks and destroys what he hits – period” says Baxter. “I’ve never seen anyone do that on the high school level”.   

Noel leaves for football camp @ Syracuse this August.  

Good Luck Noel. Come back and see us when you are home from school.   

 

 

“What  

Apolinario hurt in Cowboy Scrimmage

Jordan Apolinario, who was moved from the Jr Pros to play with the Intermediate Division, became injured during the scrimmage versus the Co Op City Cowboys. According Coach Tisdale, Apolinario injured a shoulder that he hurt last season while playing with the Jr Pro Divsion.  

“It really hurts” said Jordan as Coach Tisdale rushed the young Linebacker to the hospital. “As per all Rebel proceedures, the Coaches did the right thing in getting young Jordan to the hospital” said Executive Director Baxter. After speaking with his father, Jordan will be ready to return to the field after rehab and should be ready to go for the Intro opener in September 2008.

Nice job Jordan. You really looked good out there. Rehab and get well soon. We need you.       

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