JOHNSTON – With the season right around the corner, it’s about time to start talking football.

Thurmond will remain in region three, but will reunite with some old region foes from the 3A years; Keenan and Eau Claire.  In addition, Columbia, Batesburg-Leesville and Gilbert will round out the region.  

The Rebels finished the 2009 season with a 10-3 record after dropping the third round playoff game to Central Pageland 14-9.  With a wealth of talent returning on both sides of the ball, the Rebels will look to contend for a state title in the most competitive classification in South Carolina High School Football.

In AA football, Dillon is the king until dethroned.  The Wildcats have won back to back state titles and will be in the hunt for a three-peat.  Dillon has had a 10-plus win season in 15 of the last 17 years.  That streak is currently at nine and doesn’t look to be broken this year.

Realignment offered a few shake ups, which is to be expected.  

Traditional AA power Abbeville, dropped down to 1A.  Lake City fell from AAA and will make the lower state even stronger.  Cheraw moves into the upstate to join region four with Central.  North Charleston will enter the AA ranks after years at AAA and Walhalla has moved up to AAA.  

The overall strength of region three is dependent on three teams; Gilbert, Keenan and Columbia.  We know traditionally that Strom Thurmond and Batesburg Leesville will be the top tier of their class, but if the above mentioned teams neglect to field strong teams, region three will be deemed weak overall.  If they field strong teams, region three could be the class of AA football.     

Thurmond opens the season at Williston Elko on August 20th.  

The Blue Devils averaged 50 points per game last season as they won the 1A Division II State Title and ended the season with a perfect 14-0 record.  The second game will not prove to be any easier for the Rebels as Lucy C. Laney will come to Johnston and bring a large, hostile crowd with their super athletic team.

Class AA Realignment 2010-2012

Upper State

R1-Carolina, Chesnee, Crescent, Liberty, Palmetto, Pendleton
R2-Broome, Emerald, Mid-Carolina, Newberry, Saluda, Woodruff
R3-Batesburg-Leesville, Columbia, Eau Claire, Gilbert, Keenan, Strom Thurmond
R4-Andrew Jackson, Buford, Central, Cheraw, Indian Land, Lee Central
lowerstate
R5-Barnwell, Edisto, Pelion, Silver Bluff, Swansea, Wade Hampton
R6-Academic Magnet, Garrett, Hanahan, North Charleston, Stall, Woodland
R7-Andrews, Bishop England (FB only), Kingstree, Lake City, Manning, Timberland
R8-Aynor, Dillon, Loris, Marion, Mullins, Waccamaw

Strom Thurmond Varsity Schedule 2010

Aug 11 Scrimmage:  Newberry at Thurmond
Aug 20 week 0 at Williston
Aug 27 week 1 Laney Ga
Sept 3  week 2 Saluda
Sept 10 week 3 bye
Sept 17 week 4 South Aiken
Sept 24 week 5 at Silver Bluff
Sept 30 week 6 at Columbia (Thursday night)
Oct 8 week 7  Keenan
Oct 14 week8 at Eau Claire (Thursday night)
Oct 22 week 9 at Gilbert
Oct 29 week 10 Batesburg-Leesville