SALUDA – After a less-than-stellar second half last week against Lucy Laney, the Strom Thurmond Rebels traveled to Saluda with something to prove, and they did just that.

The Rebels unleashed a flurry of offensive firepower and a hefty dose of lights out Blue Steel defense in their 35-0 win over rival Saluda, with 21 points coming in the second half.  The Blue Steel defense only allowed the potent Saluda offense five first downs and 82 total yards of offense on the night.

Coming from the locker room, with only a 14-0 halftime lead, the Rebels had to make a statement by closing the deal on the scrappy Tigers. Thurmond received the second half kick and marched to the Tiger’s 33-yard line, but a Saluda linebacker blitz ended the drive with a sack on quarterback Raleigh Yeldell. Saluda took over on downs but just three plays later, senior Rebel linebacker Nick Clark and junior linebacker Jamal Jackson sacked Saluda’s quarterback Jalen Pratt, stripped him of the ball and gave the Rowdy Rebel offense a grand opportunity to put the game out of reach by setting Strom up at the Tiger 24 yard line.

Thurmond would move down to the six before offensive coordinator Antwuan Hillary made a call for some beef and the jumbo package trampled onto the field. The big boys; Cedric Herrin, Cullen Rhoden, Nick Clark, Jamal Jackson, Montell Webb and Chris Herrin lined up for a battle with the Saluda defensive front. Four smash mouth plays later, Rebel quarterback Raleigh Yeldell plowed into the end zone behind the strong line surge of the jumbo boys from one yard out.  Trent Miller made the point after and Strom moved out to a 21-0 lead with 3:09 to play in the 3rd quarter.

The hard hitting duo of Nick Clark and Jamal Jackson would have another meeting with Saluda quarterback Jalen Pratt on the Tiger’s ensuing drive. Pratt, remembering what the last meeting was like with these two, had to get rid of the ball prematurely and threw it away on third down forcing the Tigers to punt right back to Strom Thurmond after only three plays. 

Strom took over possession at their 19 yard line with 1:18 remaining in the 3rd quarter and Darrius Hammond took over the game with some power running. Hammond rushed four of the eight total plays in this drive, accounting for 53 of the 81 drive yards, finishing it off with a five yard touchdown run while trotting through the hole that offensive guard Montell Webb blew open. With 9:50 remaining in regulation, Trent Miller split the uprights and the rout was on as Thurmond led 28-0.  

The Rebels first team was called off, but things did not get much better for the Tigers as they coughed up the ball on the second play of the following drive with 8:59 remaining in the 4th quarter. Aaron Cook, junior Blue Steel linebacker, pounced on the Tiger’s folly and set the Rebel’s second string offense up in excellent shape at the Saluda 26 yard line. 

Sophomore backup quarterback Jauveer Hammond, also a starting defensive back, looked seasoned while leading the offense for their final score of the evening.  It only took Hammond’s offense four plays to hit pay dirt as junior runninback James Mckie used some shifty moves to score from eight yards out with 6:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was last call for Miller time and Trent poured the final one down draining the point after attempt, giving Thurmond a commanding 35-0 lead.

Thurmond sophomore linebacker Kenyatta Dunbar stripped and recovered the ball from the Tigers with 4:55 remaining in the game, but no more points would be scored on the night.

The scoring opened on the night when Thurmond went 69 yards in seven plays on their first possession. It only took the Rebels 2:17 minutes to light up the scoreboard after Malcom Watkins pounded a one yard touchdown thru the right side of the line. Trent Miller split the uprights and Thurmond led 7-0 with 6:18 to play in the 1st quarter.

Facing a 2nd down and 19 yards from the Saluda 49 yard line with 8:10 to go in the first half, Raleigh Yeldell threw a deep spiral towards the endzone. Darrius Hammond was on a post route and had gained at least 10 yards of separation from the Tiger defender, but had to extended his arms in an attempt to make the grab. At approximately the Saluda ten yard line he got his right hand under the ball and reeled in an electrifying one hand grab, tucked it and cruised into the endzone, making this spectacular catch look easy.  Trent Miller came on and split the uprights, putting Thurmond out front 14-0 with 8:01 to play in the second quarter.   
 
The Rebel team and coaching staff will take a much needed weekend off for the Labor Day Holiday, which is the only weekend off the coaching staff will see all football season.  Thurmond has a bye next week and will travel to South Aiken on 9/16 to wrap up it’s month long travel tour.

Chasing 400:  Strom Thurmond acquired win 398 with the victory over Saluda.  The Rebels continue to march towards the prestigious 400 club.

What’s Next:
Thurmond (3-0) has a bye next week then travels to South Aiken on 9/16.
Ninety Six (1-1) at Saluda (1-1)

Recap by quarter:
           1st    2nd    3rd     4th    Final      penalty yards   first downs    total offensive yards   
ST          7       7       7       14      35               6 -53            17                   332    
SAL        0       0       0        0       0                 2-30              6                    84                       

Individuals for Strom Thurmond
Passing:
Raleigh Yeldell 8-14-125yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
Jauveer Hammond 1-1-12 yards

Rushing:
Malcolm Watkins 9-33yards 1 touchdown
Darrius Hammond 13-106yards, 2 touchdowns
Raleigh Yeldell 14-79yards 1 touchdown
Jauveer Hammond 3- -21 (bad snap accounted for -23 yards)
James Mckie 3-10 yards 1 touchdown 

Receiving:
Marquez Mathis 3-28yards
Darrius Hammond 3-86yards 1 touchdown
Shaq Dobbs 1-4 yards
Javoris Gray 1-12 yards

Returns:
Darrius Hammond 1-0 yards

Kicking:
Trent Miller 5-5 PAT’s