ST. GEORGE — They're still the Rebels, and Hansen Stadium is still standing. But just about everything else has changed for Dixie State's football program.
There's the new coaching staff, led by former Ricks College head man and Weber State assistant Ron Haun. There's the switch from the junior college ranks to NCAA Division II. There's the schedule full of never-before-seen opponents, which started with Mesa State on Thursday in Grand Junction, Colo.
And for the very first time, two seniors and about 20 juniors lead the Rebels.
It's all a little intimidating.
"These teams we're playing will have had four years of spring ball, four years of learning their schemes, four years of playing together," Haun said. "We've had half a spring and this fall, and that's it. We need to be getting better, faster."
To the credit of Haun and his coaching staff — which includes Ed Larson as offensive coordinator and former BYU assistant Ken Schmidt as defensive coordinator — they have pooled an impressive array of talent, including many former Rebels from the junior college days.
"We're not going to just show up," Haun said. "We're out to win games. There's no reason to think we can't be successful at this level."
The defense looks especially impressive after a couple of scrimmages. Two Dixie State stars return to anchor the D — linebackers Singa Iloa and Pono Havea. Also back at cornerback are brothers Ricky and Robbie Dias, as well as defensive linemen Levi Manutai, Wayne Alofipo and John Fanene.
"We're getting there (on defense)," Schmidt said. "We're going to play hard and lay some hits on some people."
For 23 years, Dixie State has been a run-first offensive team. That will change under Haun and Larson. While the two were together at Ricks, they established an impressive spread passing game with an emphasis on short, crisp passes to the backs and tight ends, as well as the wideouts.
Haun has tabbed former-Rebel-turned-Ute-turned-Rebel Danny Southwick as the man to lead this attack, while Lance Patonai is challenging for playing time.
"The battle at quarterback has been very close," Haun said. "Danny and Lance were neck and neck the whole way."
Southwick, who played at Dixie State in 2003 and 2004, is a traditional drop-back passer, while the left-handed Patonai is a strong-arm scrambler.
While both are juniors, Dixie State also has a stable of young quarterbacks, including former Pine View star Skyler Ence and Florida native Judd Thompson.
One of Dixie State's two seniors is receiver Travis Brown, who just happens to be best friends with Southwick. Brown will play the flanker, while Scott Stevenson, another Pine View product, will start at split end.
At running back, Amos Allen, who played junior-college ball at Eastern Arizona, will start at tailback, while Bo Hikila is tabbed to be fullback. Jesse Ence also will see time as running back.
The other senior is center Ryan Wright, who played at Dixie High and as a Rebel before playing his junior year at Tennessee Tech.
He anchors a line that features two juniors, RG Andrew Stephenson and LT Will Leibert, and two sophomores, LG Braden Gates and RT Ryan Delrosal.
"It's a learning process," Haun said. "Unfortunately, everyone we play has a head start on us. There is plenty of talent on this team. Now we need experience."
Dixie State's first home game isn't until Sept. 23, when it hosts Humboldt State. The Rebels have just three home games in their first season as an NCAA Division II school. On Oct. 7, Mesa State travels to St. George, and on Nov. 11 Southern Oregon will visit Hansen Stadium.
Dixie State schedule
Aug. 24 at Mesa State
Sept. 2 at Adams State
Sept. 9 at San Diego
Sept. 16 at Northern Arizona
Sept. 23 HUMBOLDT STATE
Oct. 7 MESA STATE
Oct. 21 at Humboldt State
Oct. 28 at Azusa Pacific
Nov. 4 at Western Oregon
Nov. 11 SOUTHERN OREGON