Nestled deep in the heart of reeltown lies a fortress where thousands of rebel fans gather to witness one of the most historic football programs in the state take center stage under the bright lights of Nix-Webster-O’Neal Stadium.

dawning several nicknames by the rivals around, a stadium with such prestige, awe. and wonder has its share of memories old and new. one can not help but to have chills as the noticeable nighttime fog covers the cemetery that sits atop the northern endzone. finally, the dew has rested upon the grass and a phrase that is heard amongst the trees is welcomed by the roar of a crowd…. HERE COMES THE REBELS!

Principal Nix:

Mr. Nix was the principal at Reeltown High School during the 1980s. He made a positive impact on Reeltown High School that prompted a dramatic change the school.

Coach Duane Webster:

Duane Webster was a graduate of Tallassee before attending and receiving his degree from Auburn University. He served as an assistant coach at Tallassee for four seasons before becoming the head coach at Reeltown in 1956 where he coached football for 27 of his 31 years in education.

Webster’s teams posted a career record of 218-93-9 and won a State Championship in 1987. His 1984 team also reached the championship game of the Class 1A playoffs before losing 17-14 to a powerful Millport team at home.

The 1987 team squeaked by Winston County High School to claim the only State Championship during his career. Ironically, that 1987 season was his last as head coach at Reeltown as he stepped down following that season.

Webster’s record at Reeltown stands at 217 wins, 94 losses, and 9 ties in 30 seasons as the head football coach.

Webster coached in three all-star games and was coach of the year twice including in 1987 by the Alabama Sports Writers. He also led his basketball teams to three area titles and one state tournament appearance.

He was named to the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1994.

Coach Jackie O’Neal:

Jackie ONeal is a native of and attended Reeltown High School. O’Neal was a star who performed on the football field during his high school playing days. He made the honorable mention All-State team during his junior and senior seasons as a running back at Reeltown.

O’Neal played in the Alabama All-Star Game in Tuscaloosa following his senior season. He graduated from Reeltown in 1972 and from Livingston State University in 1976.

He left Livingston as the fourth leading rusher in school history with 1,873 yards from 1973-75.

A devastating blocker in the Tigers’ wishbone attack, O’Neal also scored 18 touchdowns in his career and still owns the record for the longest touchdown reception, 94 yards against Southeastern Louisiana in 1974. He helped guide the team to a third-place finish in the nation in 1975.

Following graduation from college, he was an assistant coach at Reeltown for ten seasons prior to taking over as head coach in 1988. Over the next 27 seasons, his teams won consistently and made the playoffs in all but three seasons.

Reeltown reached the 1991 and 1992 state championship games but came up short in search of their coach’s first title. The Rebels reached the title game again in 2000 before winning Coach O’Neal’s first state championship in 2001 by defeating Notasulga 46-6. Reeltown would win another title in 2009 with a 16-8 win over Clay County.

O’Neal’s overall record is 241-110 with a region record of 104-32 which ranks among the best in state history. His teams have won fourteen area and region titles during his tenure.

O’Neal was honored as coach of the year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association in 1991, 1992, and 2001 and the Alabama Football Coaches Association in 2008. He was head coach of the Alabama team in the 2007 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and has served on the AHSAAs Central Board of Control, Legislative Council, and Football Committee.

Coach O’Neal was inducted into the West Alabama University (Livingston) Hall of Fame in 2007. The fans of Reeltown named the stadium in his honor in 2010. He was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Associations Hall of Fame in 2012.