BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
It was only two years ago St. Charles College
Cardinals football team running back Aaron Rehel touched a
football for the first time.
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Aaron Rehel, 18, has come a long
way in football in two short years. He was the best
player in the local high school football league this
past season. |
It didn't take him long to establish himself
as one of the top players in the high school loop.
Rehel (pronounced ray-l) was unreal this
season.
The 18 year old running back was the main man
on the team's offence all season, and was rewarded by the
league with several awards and all-star
selections.
Rehel was named winner of the Sid Forster
Award as league MVP. He also captured the Chris Bartolucci
Award as top offensive player, and made three appearances on
the all-star team for top running back, punt returner and kick
returner.
"I definitely feel proud of myself," said
Rehel. "I have to give credit to my offensive linemen for
opening all the holes for me, so I could run through them. I
also give a lot of credit to my coaches."
Overall, Rehel produced 15 touchdowns,
including 11 while on offence, three on the special teams, and
one on defence.
The touchdown he scored while playing defence
was Rehel's highlight of the season.
"In my first game, playing defence, I got an
interception and returned it for a touchdown," said Rehel. "It
was my finest moment."
St. Charles coaches pursued Rehel vigorously
to play football.
"A few years ago the coaches started
convincing me to play," said Rehel. "I played hockey and track
and field, but when you have coaches like Chris
Bartolucci asking you to come out, it's hard
to say no. I tried it and loved it ever since."
It took a total team effort, but Rehel really
stood out from the Cardinals lineup.
"To a fault, we had a one-dimensional offence
and relied on Rehel," said Cardinals' head coach Chris
Bartolucci. "He was faced with a lot of adversity
every game. Every other team designed their
defences to stop Aaron. When you put that in perspective, it
makes his accomplishments that much more significant."
Rehel is a coach's dream.
"Aaron has great athleticism, he's blessed
with speed and good size, he has a great sense of humour and a
willingness to learn," said Bartolucci. "Put all those
qualities together and you get a quality running back.
"Those qualities are hard to find in a young
man these days. He's also a gentleman. His level of play is
outstanding for only being in the league for two seasons. He's
deceptively quick and hard to catch. Quickness is something you
can't coach. You either have it, or you don't. Aaron has
it."
Rehel loves being part of the team because it
gives him many benefits.
"It feels good to go to a school like St.
Charles,"said Rehel. "Really, you're in a family here, and you
find out what tradition is all about. You take the
discipline you learn on the field and apply
to school and the workplace, and you become a better person for
it."
Rehel's future plans are still in limbo as he
has received a few offers from Canadian universities. Rehel
will play with the Sudbury Northerners next
summer, and weigh his options as they
come.
