Rebel Football

Football

In 1969, when Roncalli High School opened its doors, Roncalli Football was born. Out of the winning traditions of Sacred Heart, Chartrand and Kennedy - the off-spring was destined for greatness.

In its first year the Rebels were coached by John Meredith who came to Roncalli from Kennedy High School where he was the Spartans head coach. The Rebels posted a 3 and 7 record facing a very stiff City schedule.

In the second year Bob Tully was named head coach. Bob served in this position for 4 seasons posting a 21 and 19 record. During the 1972 season Roncalli was the City Runner-Up and named a mythical State Champion in Class A by a poll conducted by the IHSAA and the Indianapolis Star. This poll was conducted prior to the beginning of the Class system in Indiana football.

1974 brought Butch Branson to the helm of the Ron-calli football program. Butch took the Rebels to their first playoff appearance in 1976 losing a hard fought battle to eventual State Champion Jasper.

Ed Tinder, 7-year assistant, took over the leadership role of the Rebels in 1977 and posted a three year record of 16 wins and 14 losses. The Tinder-led Rebels knocked off many top rated teams in the state and began the state recognition of the Roncalli High School football program.

In 1980 Bill Kuntz was named head coach of the Rebels and the football program was headed for prominence. The ‘83 Rebels under Kuntz’s leadership went on to become the State Runners-Up in Class 3A. This was their first State Finals appearance. In 1985 Kuntz took the Rebels to the top spot in Class 3A becoming State Champions by defeating Wawasee 33 to 3.

Bill Sylvester, Kuntz’s Assistant and former standout quarterback at Chatard and Butler University, was named to the head coaching position in 1987. Sylvester, in his 3-year stint, posted 29 wins vs. 9 losses. Sylvester took the ‘88 Rebels to the State Championship defeating Tipton 14 to 13, and took the ‘89 Rebels back to the Dome, becoming State Runners-Up in a 20-14 loss to Hammond Bishop Noll. Sylvester left the Rebels to join the Butler University Football staff.

With Sylvester’s departure former Roncalli Assistant and Lawrence Central Assistant Bruce Scifres was named head coach. In his 4th year Coach Scifres took the Rebels to an even higher plateau becoming the first undefeated State Champion in the school’s history with a 14-12 victory over previously undefeated Northwood.

The following year, Scifres led the Rebels to the 1994 State Championship with a 35-14 win over Tipton. This became the first back-to-back State Championships for Roncalli in any sport.

The 1999 season brought another state championship to Scifres and the Rebels as they finished a perfect 15-0 season. Highlights of the season were victories over nationally “Top 10” ranked Cincinnati Moeller and the 24-14 state title win over Norwell. Also during the 1999 season, Coach Scifres became the first coach from the state of Indiana to win 100 games in his first 10 years as a head coach. In 2002, 2003 and 2004 Bruce led the Rebels to three consecutive 4A State Championships. His .776 winning percentage is best in the school’s history.

Certainly, the great Roncalli football tradition continues!

by: Bob Tully