PROSPERITY – With 1:22 remaining in regulation, underdog Mid-Carolina attempted to throw a huge monkey wrench into Strom Thurmond’s effort to repeat as Region 3-AA champs.

With a crucial touchdown pass completion on 4th and 9 from the Rebels’ 11, from quarterback Jonathan Davenport to a double-covered receiver in Kendrelle Neal, M-C pulled within one point. The touchdown drive had covered 59 yards in 6:03 minutes and saw Mid-Carolina convert on three fourth down attempts.

Sensing perhaps that something special was in the making, the Mid-Carolina coaching staff called for the two-point conversion attempt and the win rather than a tie and a likely overtime tilt. The counter draw handoff was given to standout RB Krishawn Holley, but he was met at the one-yard line by the “Blue Steel” defensive line and denied both the conversion and the game.  

With that play, Strom Thurmond moved to 4-2 overall, but more importantly, 1-0 in Region 3-AA play behind the thrilling 21-20 victory.

“This region is always tough,” said a relieved Rebels head coach Lee Sawyer. “The thing is we’ll probably see a better team next week (in Batesburg-Leesville). I figured they would go for two (points), and I thought about using a timeout there but I figured we would need all our timeouts on offense if they did get in there. Those guys on defense did a great job of staying in there and not hanging their heads after the touchdown.”    

The Rebels from Edgefield County didn’t take long to get on the board at the start of the game after Mid-Carolina fumbled a punt at their own 30 yard line, which was recovered by LB Marcelis Thompson.

On the second play of the drive, Chris Blocker rushed around the left side for a 14-yard touchdown and Sam Northrop delivered the point after as ST led 7-0 with 9:57 remaining in the first quarter.  

The Rebels of M-C answered right back, setting a tone for the ballgame, with their own scoring drive of 75 yards; aided by three crucial penalties against Thurmond. The “Blue Steel” defense was flagged for a personal foul, a face mask and offsides to help Mid-Carolina into the end zone with 4:16 remaining in the first quarter. Once again, Thompson stepped in a made a big play, this time blocking the point after attempt to keep Thurmond out in front 7-6.

In the second quarter, RB Nick Williamson exploded up the middle for a 40-yard touchdown run at the 4:01 mark in the 2nd quarter to cap off a nine-play, 78-yard scoring drive. Northrop slams in the extra point and ST moved out in front by a score of 14-6.

Following a great defensive stand, which forced Mid Carolina to one of the few three and outs of the night, Strom Thurmond had a chance to put the nail in the coffin with one minute remaining in the first half deep in Mid-Carolina territory. But Raleigh Yeldell fumbled on 4th and one and a Mid-Carolina defender scooped it up for a 65-yard run to Thurmond five yard line.

Alex Clark made the touchdown saving tackle as he ran down the ball carrier just shy of the goal line.

One play later, however, M-C found new life with a 5-yard touchdown run by standout RB Krishawn Holley before following it up with a successful two-point conversion that ended the first half at 14-14.
Deikory Williams picked off Mid-Carolina QB Jonathan Davenport and returned it 22 yards to set Thurmond up at the M-C 28 yard line to open the 3rd quarter. And after another sputtering drive by Thurmond’s offense, Northrop misses a 40-yard field goal attempt wide left and the other Rebels took over and began doing what they do best – chewing up game clock.

Mid-Carolina’s three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust offense worked their plan to perfection by holding the ball for 16:04 minutes in second half. But Thurmond’s defense persevered by only allowing six points in the second half.  

Raleigh Yeldell, just a sophomore signal-caller, regained his composure and the lead for Thurmond, with a 10-yard touchdown run at the 11:11 mark of the fourth quarter. This touchdown was set up by two good runs from Nick Williamson and Chris Blocker after Mid-Carolina fumbled at the 47-yard line. Sam Northrop split the uprights for Thurmond’s final score of the night, which put ST out in front 21-14.  

What Happened:  Strom weathered the storm of a sputtering offense, a crucial turnover, damaging penalties and having their defense on the field for majority of the second half. The “Blue Steel” defense refused to lose, and held Mid-Carolina’s powerful ground game in check by only allowing a total of 134 rushing yards.     

What’s Next for Both Teams:
Batesburg Leesville (4-2) at Strom Thurmond (4-2)
Saluda (2-4) at Mid Carolina (3-3)

Recap by quarter:
           1st    2nd    3rd     4th    Final      penalty yards   first downs    total offensive yards   
ST          7      7        0         7       21               7-57                 10                      211    
MC        6      8        0         6       20               2-16                 15                    174        

Individuals for Strom Thurmond
Passing:
Raleigh Yeldell 8-16-58 yards

Rushing:
Raleigh Yeldell 11-24 yards, 1 touchdown
Chris Blocker 5-32 yards 1 touchdown
Nick Williamson 10-97 yards, 1 touchdown

Receiving:
Desmond Davis 3-8 yards
Jamell Jackson 2-31 yards
Chris Blocker 1-17 yards
Tyler Glover 1-2 yards

Kicking:
Sam Northrop 3-3 PAT’s

Returns:
Nick Williamson 1-27 yards
Demarkus Smith 1-42 yards