 | |
| Established | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Based in | Beit Shemesh |
| Home stadium | Beit Shemesh Stadium |
| League | Israel Football League |
| League titles | 3 (2011, 2015, 2016) |
The Beit Shemesh Judean Rebels (up until 2019-Judean Rebels) are an amateur American football team in the Israel Football League. The Rebels represent the city of Beit Shemesh and Gush Etzion settlements [1] and they play their home games at the Beit Shemesh Stadium. [2]
The Rebels joined the Israel Football League (IFL) as an expansion team in 2009. While the Rebels are a settler team, [3] they have also included Palestinian players. [4]
In their second season, they won IsraBowl IV over the Tel Aviv Sabres. [5] The Rebels have also won IsraBowl VIII and IsraBowl IX.
In 2019, the organization moved from Jerusalem to Beit Shemesh along with their high school team the Beit Shemesh Warriors.
| Season | W | L | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–2010 | 6 | 4 | Lost Semifinals |
| 2010–2011 | 8 | 2 | Won IsraBowl IV |
| 2011–2012 | 7 | 3 | Lost Quarterfinals |
| 2012–2013 | 5 | 5 | Lost IsraBowl VI |
| 2013–2014 | 9 | 0 | Lost Semifinals |
| 2014–2015 | 9 | 0 | Won IsraBowl VIII |
| 2015–2016 | 8 | 2 | Won IsraBowl IX |
| 2016–2017 | 6 | 4 | Lost IsraBowl X |
| 2017–2018 | 7 | 3 | Lost Semifinals |
| 2018-2019 | 3 | 6 |
Beit Shemesh is a city located approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Jerusalem in Israel's Jerusalem District, with a population of 124,957 in 2019.
Eight-man football is a form of gridiron football, generally played by high schools with smaller enrollments. Eight-man football differs from the traditional 11-man game with the reduction of three players on each side of the ball and a field width that can be reduced to 40 yards, 13 1/3 yards narrower than the 53 1/3-yard 11-man field. Most states continue to play on a 100-yard length field, whereas a few states opt for 80-yard lengths. Reduced-player football, which consists of eight-man, six-man, and nine-man football has gained popularity across the United States. As of 2015, 1,561 schools in 30 states sponsor reduced-player football, with 1,161 of those teams participating in eight-man leagues, whereas 284 teams play six-man football and 116 teams play nine-man football.
The Israel Football League, also known as the Kraft Family Israel Football League for sponsorship reasons with the Kraft Family, is an amateur American football league consisting of eight teams. The IFL is the highest level of American football in Israel and each season culminates in the Israel Bowl. The Tel Aviv Pioneers are the reigning Israel Bowl champions, having defeated the Jerusalem Lions in Israel Bowl XIV for their third championship.
The Underdogs is an American football team based in the north of Israel, playing in the Israeli Football League (IFL).
The Jerusalem Kings were an amateur American football team based in Jerusalem and a member of the Israel Football League (IFL). The team played its home games at Kraft Family Stadium. A year after a rule was instituted limiting the number of foreigners on a roster, the team disbanded after the 2014–2015 season. Most players who wished to continue playing in the IFL joined the Judean Rebels.
The 2010–2011 Israel Football League season was the fourth season of the Israel Football League (IFL). The league expanded to eight teams with the expansion team Herzliya Hammers and was divided in two divisions: North and South.
The 2011–2012 Israel Football League was the fifth season of the Israel Football League (IFL). The league expanded to ten teams with two expansion teams; the Petah-Tikva Troopers and the Nahariya Northern Stars. The season concluded with the Tel Aviv Sabres defeating the Tel Aviv Pioneers in Israel Bowl V.
The Tel Aviv Pioneers are an amateur American football team based in Tel Aviv, Israel, playing in the Israel Football League (IFL).
The 2012–2013 Israel Football League was the sixth season of the Israel Football League (IFL). The league expanded to 11 teams as the Rehovot Silverbacks became the newest expansion franchise. The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Sabres became the first team in IFL history to go undefeated throughout the regular season and postseason and the season concluded with the Sabres defeating the Judean Rebels in Israel Bowl VI.
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The 2017–2018 Israel Football League season was the 11th season of the Israel Football League. Only seven teams competed this season, with the Ramat HaSharon Hammers going on hiatus. The season concluded with the Jerusalem Lions defeating the Petah Tikva Troopers, 28-20, in Israel Bowl XI.
The 2009–2010 Israel Football League season was the third season of the Israel Football League (IFL). This season featured two expansion teams and concluded with the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Sabres defeating the Jerusalem Lions, 26–22, in Israel Bowl III.
The 2013–2014 Israel Football League season was the seventh season of the Israel Football League (IFL) and concluded with the Tel Aviv Pioneers defeating the Jerusalem Lions, 80–28, in Israel Bowl VII.
The 2014–2015 Israel Football League season was the eighth season of the Israel Football League (IFL) and concluded with the Judean Rebels defeating the Tel Aviv Pioneers, 20-10, in Israel Bowl VIII.
The 2015–2016 Israel Football League season was the ninth season of the Israel Football League (IFL) and concluded with the Judean Rebels defeating the Tel Aviv Pioneers, 32-14, in Israel Bowl IX.
The 2018–2019 Israel Football League season was the 12th season of the Israel Football League. The season began on November 15, 2018 and concluded on February 28, 2019 with IsraBowl XII. This season was the first to feature full eleven-man games after previously playing nine-man football. The season also marked the return of the Ramat HaSharon Hammers, who were on hiatus during the 2017–2018 season.
The Petah Tikva Troopers are an amateur American football team based in Petah Tikva, Israel. The Troopers compete in the Israel Football League.
The Be'er Sheva Black Swarm are an amateur American football team based in Be'er Sheva, Israel. The Black Swarm compete in the Israel Football League (IFL).
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