JOHNSTON – For a rivalry game that has been pretty one sided over the years, this game could potentially be one of the more competitive matchups in recent memory.   

It’s Thurmond’s Lee Sawyer (Saluda graduate) vs. Saluda’s Doug Painter (Thurmond graduate) in a battle that crosses friends and families annually.

Thurmond comes into the game having won their first two games in different fashions.  The Rebels blew out 1A powerhouse Williston-Elko in the opener from start to finish and then jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead on Laney and hung on to a 24-16 finish as they were slowed by penalties and mistakes in the second half.

“The entire preseason we hadn’t faced any adversity.  Things came easy for us in nearly every matchup.  We didn’t handle the adversity well when we first faced it at Laney and allowed the game’s momentum get away from us.  If we went 1, 2, 3 and punt on our last drive it could have been a different animal as they had just scored twice and converted both two point conversions.  I told my defense the two point conversion from the 18 yard line was inexcusable and our effort was even worse.  We were standing around watching instead of getting after it.  That is not what Strom Thurmond football is about.  

But to their credit they gathered themselves and put together a strong drive at the end of the game, getting some much needed first downs to melt the clock and secure a win.  We’ve had a good week of practice and they handled the adversity I threw at them well.”  -- Lee Sawyer.   

The Rebels have dominated the last three meetings, outscoring the Tigers 145-7.  But this Saluda team will be much improved than the last three that have been blown out by the Rebels.
Saluda comes into Friday night with a new attitude and some size to back it up. 

The Tigers blew out their county rival, Ridge Spring Monetta, last week in the opener with a lights out defense and a strong run game.  The defense allowed the Trojans only 50 offensive yards and the Tigers offense scored at will. Saluda is running the regular Wing T (out from last season’s double wing) and they have two solid running backs in the backfield; Almonte Abney and Telvin Clark.  Complementing the offense is a huge defensive line.

“This season is Doug Painter’s third year as coach up there.  He has his system and players in place and they are a lot better than they’ve been the last few years.  When I coached Saluda, we always wanted to be on the same plane as Strom Thurmond and Batesburg Leesville because those two seemed to be in the mix every year.  My first year coaching Saluda, we lost 49-0 to Thurmond, the next season we lost 14-7 when Omar Collier scooped a fumble and returned it for a touchdown late in the game and my third year we beat Thurmond 18-16.  Of course I’m hoping that kind of streak doesn’t happen for Doug in his third season against us.

Saluda’s team is huge in size.  I’ve never seen a Saluda team this big.  Their front four on defense will probably dwarf our offensive line and we will have a time trying to block them.  They are a lot better than they have been and will be looking to see how they’ve closed the gap against our program.”  Lee Sawyer and his thoughts on facing Saluda this Friday night.  

Saluda has had four winning seasons since 1981, with their last one coming in 2003; that was also the last season they defeated Strom Thurmond.  The expectations for the 2011 Saluda Tigers is to add to the win season total and make a playoff run.  

Thurmond, which enters its second straight road game, will be off next week and then complete their month-long travel tour as they play at South Aiken on Sept 16th.  The Rebels will cross over into Saluda county looking to erase any doubts created in the second half last week at Laney.  
March towards 400:  Strom Thurmond accrued its 397 win in school history last week against Laney.  Come out and support the Rebels as they march towards the prestigious 400th win during this momentous season.

Key’s to Victory: “We must block the four big giants from their defensive line, so our three guys can run and keep the chains moving.  If we can establish the run, we can throw the ball.  Defensively, we have to expect the unexpected out of their Wing-T. ” – Lee Sawyer  

By the Numbers:
Offensively:  ST 35 ppg  SAL 42 ppg
Defensively: ST 12 ppg  SAL 0 ppg

All time series:
ST leads 34-10-3
Last Game:
Thurmond 24 Laney 16
 Saluda 42 RSM 0

Previous Meeting:
ST 41  SAL 7

Players to Watch:

Saluda
Jalen Pratt (QB) 2-5-72 yards and 1 touchdown; Almonte Abney (RB) 14-89 yards; Telvin Clark(RB) 6’ 200 lbs of speed and power; 8 carries for 106 yards and 3 touchdowns last week; Walker Noteboom; Wendell Gantt (LB) 3 year starter

Strom Thurmond

Raleigh Yeldell (QB) 11-23-198 yards passing,  20-211 yards 1 touchdown rushing; Hykeem Brooks (DB) 2 interceptions; Darius Hammond (RB/KR). 24-210 yards 5 touchdowns rushing; Marquez Mathis (WR) 3-92 yards receiving; Malcolm Watkins (RB) 25-155 yards 3 touchdowns rushing; Jeremy Johnson (LB)  18 tackles; Nick Clark (LB) 17 tackles; Chris Herrin (C) 5 pancake blocks and graded 80% against Laney.

Matchup:  Blue Steel defense vs Saluda’s Wing T/Option offense.   Runningback combo’s: Thurmond’s  Malcom Watkins (Sr) and Darius Hammond (Jr) vs Saluda’s Almonte Abney (Sr) and Telvin Clark (Jr).  All four backs are excellent.