All the Bears did.
Noble had made the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, but with heavy losses to graduation — quarterback Baehler Buol and receiver Christian Robinson-Moore at the top of the list — changes had to be made. Noble needed a new face of the program, and Arebalo knew he was at the front of the line.
“It just hit me all at once, this is my team and I have to lead it,” Arebalo said. “I've got to make sure we have good practices, make sure everybody stays in line and does all the right things.”
Being a leader is more than just being the best player on Friday nights. Arebalo already filled that role with ease. Learning how to inspire others was a different challenge.
Before last week's game, McAlester coach James Singleton said on his weekly radio show that Arebalo didn't have any breakaway speed. Too big, too slow, and Arebalo, at running back responded by rushing 22 times for 343 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-7 win over the Buffaloes.
When asked about his defensive stats, he said, "Oh, I only had about 10 tackles."
He took Singleton's comments personally, and made sure everyone on the team felt like they had something to prove.
“It made him better,” defensive lineman Hunter Largent said. “I'm sure he thought about it everyday in practice.”
Arebalo doesn't like to be overlooked. It's a product of the environment. The Bears are perennially glanced over. It has been nearly 15 years since their last 10-win season, and 2016 was the first winning season since 2007. Arebalo is next in line to try to carry Noble's flag further up the Class 5A hill, but he wants to do so much more. He dreams of making a name for himself and the school.
“Every Friday night when I go out there, what I plan to do is get my name on the map,” Arebalo said. “On the football field, if you don't fear me, I'm going to definitely make sure you respect me.”
He has played that part before, as a wrestler. Arebalo qualified for state last season, finishing 33-11. He's all business on the mat, but for football, he's tried to embrace a different side.
Noble needed a vocal leader, someone who can help other players learn the team's expectations but also keep things light at practice. Monday, Danny Arebalo was seen smiling as he talked with a few of Noble's other linebackers.
When made aware of this, assistant coach Tyler Solomon laughed and said, “That doesn't happen a whole lot still.”
It's definitely a new feel for Arebalo, but coach Greg George wouldn't want anybody else in that leadership role.
“He knows he has to go out and work harder than everybody else, because he's the captain,” George said. “He's who people look at when they look at our team.”
From quiet tough guy to enigmatic leader, Arebalo made necessary changes to be the face of the program. His poster is the last thing the players see as they walk through the training facility's double doors before taking the field.
“Being vocal in the right way, saying the right things to my teammates is another thing I really needed to do,” Areb... Click here to read full article
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