COLUMBIA – Columbia High School quarterback Ky Tyler went to the air and shocked the Strom Thurmond Rebels 18-13 Thursday night, handing the Rebels only their second region loss in the last six years at a wet and soggy Bolden Stadium.

The Capitals came out of the gate and set the tone for the evening when they drove 67 yards in 8 plays on the game’s opening possession.  The Rebels blocked the extra point attempt to hold Columbia’s lead 6-0 with 8:33 remaining in the first.

The Rebel offense tried to answer Columbia but had to settle for a Trent Miller field goal after a 13 play, 69 yard drive stalled at the six yard line, with an incomplete pass.  The Capital’s led 6-3 at the 3:29 mark of the 1st quarter.

Octavious Brown came off two tackles and wrapped up Columbia quarterback Ky Tyler to stall the Capital’s next drive.  After a successful punt, which saw Columbia down the ball at the one yard line, Thurmond seemed ready to get into an offensive rhythm.      

The Rebels moved the ball out to the 33 yard line, but three consecutive incomplete passes resulted in a Rebel punt.  The Blue Steel defense would get their first three and out of the night, forcing another Columbia punt at the 8:11 mark of the 2nd quarter.  

Strom finally found a spark on offense when Chris Blocker capped off a 9 play 79 yard drive with a five yard touchdown run.  Trent Miller split the uprights and Thurmond pulled ahead 10-6 with 4:11 remaining in the first half.

The Capitals would not be denied as they moved right back down the field on 6 play drive, covering 58 yards for another touchdown.  Ty Kyler connected a 21 yard touchdown pass on 4th and three with 2:02 remaining in the first half. The two point attempt was no good but Columbia led 12-10.

Strom tried to rally back before the intermission, but an interception stopped the 46 yard drive at Columbia’s 27 yard line and sent both teams into the halftime.

Columbia held Thurmond’s offense to a three and out at the start of the second half. Then they put together 72 yard drive that ended when Rebel defensive lineman Octavious Brown stuffed a quarterback keeper on 4th and 1 at the Rebel 8 yard line, with 5:45 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

The Rebel offense took the ball from their 8 yard line all way down to Columbia’s six, on a 15 play drive mixed with a balance of run and pass.  But Rebel quarterback Raleigh Yeldell was tackled for no gain on 2nd down and took a sack for -11 yards on 3rd ,forcing Trent Miller on for a field goal attempt.  Miller made it thru the uprights from 27 yards out and Thurmond took the lead 13-12 with 11:12 to go in the game.

The Blue Steel defense held for a three and out and Thurmond looked poised to open things up, but after only 6 offensive plays, Columbia picked Yeldell off at the Capital 31 yard line with 7:46 remaining in the 4th.

Disaster would strike Thurmond on the defensive side of the ball after backing Columbia up to a 3rd and 14 from the 27 yard line.  Capital quarterback Ky Tyler found a receiver that was 25 yards from civilization and tossed him a pass then watched the receiver jog into the endzone for a 73 yard touchdown.  The two point conversion was stopped and Columbia led 18-13 with 6:02 remaining in the game.  

Thurmond had one last shot at a comeback, but an incomplete pass on 4th and 3 sealed the Rebels fate and Columbia hopped in the driver’s seat for the region’s number one seed ranking.      

What’s Next:
Keenan at Thurmond
Columbia at Gilbert

Recap by quarter:
           1st    2nd    3rd     4th    Final      penalty yards   first downs    total offensive yards   
ST        3      7        0         3      13                 4-25               24                 284
Col       6      6        0         6      18                 8-50                   12                    326                       

Individuals for Strom Thurmond
Passing:
Raleigh Yeldell 8-20-93yards 2 interception’s

Rushing:
Raleigh Yeldell 15-47yards,
Chris Blocker 9-54yards, 1 touchdown   
Darrius Hammond 14-90yards,

Receiving:
Darrius Hammond 1-22yards
Emmanuel Brighthop 2-29yards
Marquez Mathis 3-40yards
Antonio Hamilton 4-23yards
Shaq Dobbs 1-0yards

Kicking:
Trent Miller 1-1 PAT, 2 FG’s

Punting:
Cullen Rhoden 2-67yards
Returns:
Hykeem Brooks 1-16yards
Chris Blocker 1-26yards
Antonio Hamilton 1-22yards