JOHNSTON – Marquise Lomax read Batesburg-Leesville quarterback Jamal Bryant’s eyes perfectly and jumped the intended receiver’s route at the 31 yard line, intercepting the ball and returning it for a

Rebels touchdown with only 2:53 remaining in an eight-point game.

The “pick six” stretched Thurmond’s lead to a score of 24-9 and would prove to be enough separation for the Rebels to remain unbeaten in region play in a 24-17 final over the Panthers.

Strom Thurmond moved 67 yards riding the legs of standout Nick Williamson on the game’s opening drive, but needed the foot of Sam Northrop to get on the scoreboard. After a good defensive stand by Batesburg-Leesville inside their 10, the Rebels settled for a 24-yard Northrop field goal with 7:50 remaining in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive, the Panthers stormed back down the field going 76 yards in eight plays to take a 6-3 lead with 4:30 remaining in first quarter. On the PAT attempt, however, Marcelis Thompson again performed one of his many talents when he blocked the point after attempt for the third time this season.

Nick Williamson would then carry the Rebels on a 55-yard drive, running behind center Kyle Christie who helped open gaping holes in the Panthers defensive line. Williamson capped off an eight-play, 3:17 drive when he broke the plane from four yards out. Sam Northrop split the uprights to put the Rebels out in front 10-6 at the 8:31 mark of the second quarter.

It appeared early on that fans would be in for a replay of the 2006 BL/ST shootout when the Panthers came blazing back down the field on a drive of 60 yards to set up a first and goal on the seven with 7:04 left in the second quarter.

But the “Blue Steel” defense rose to the occasion yet again as Deikory Williams made a great open field tackle on second down and Martinez Gallman broke up a sure touchdown pass on third down, forcing BL to settle for a field goal, meaning Thurmond maintained a 10-9 lead with 5:03 to go in the first half.

Strom Thurmond went right back down the field for 80 yards in only seven plays – aided by a jailbreak screen to Nick Williamson that went for 48 yards. The drive was capped off by a 13-yard Tony Stepney touchdown run after Stepney displayed speed and power, breaking free from would-be tacklers. Northrop nailed the extra point which extended the Rebels lead 17-9 going into halftime and would be the Rebel’s last offensive spark of the night.

During a dismal offensive display in the second half – which saw the Rebels only net 19 yards on 16 plays and no first downs – the Rebels’ defense kept the home team ahead, holding the Panthers off of the scoreboard until there was only 37 seconds remaining in the game.

The Panthers’ defensive front made much needed halftime adjustments and put a stop to Thurmond running between the tackles for the remainder of the night.

Martinez Gallman intercepted a Batesburg-Leesville pass inside the Panthers end zone and returned it 65 yards, giving Thurmond much needed field position leverage at the 5:57 mark of the third quarter.

Cullen Rhoden continued his improved punting game by averaging over 37 yards per punt on the night. His angled punts placed Batesburg-Leesville starting at an average of their own 26 yard line in the second half, which aided the “Blue Steel” defensive effort.

What Happened: Thurmond’s Blue Steel defense bent, but didn’t break. The Panthers averaged over 15 yards per pass completion on the night going 17-28-257 yards in the air, but two crucial interceptions by the Rebels would prove to be the difference in the game. Thurmond’s defensive line continued their dominance by holding the Panthers to 78 yards on 40 carries with multiple sacks.

What’s Next:
Newberry (5-2) at Batesburg Leesville (4-3)
Strom Thurmond (5-2) at Saluda (2-5)

Recap by quarter:
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final penalty yards first downs total off. yards
BL 6 3 0 8 17 8-72 15 335
ST 3 14 0 7 24 6-45 11 264

Individuals for Strom Thurmond
Passing:
Raleigh Yeldell 3-7-54 yards

Rushing:
Raleigh Yeldell 10-45 yards
Nick Williamson 27-149 yards, 1 touchdown
Toney Stepney 2-16 yards, 1 touchdown

Receiving:
Jamell Jackson 1-3 yards
Nick Williamson 1-48 yards
Demarkus Smith 1-3 yards

Kicking:
Sam Northrop 3-3 PAT’s, 1-1 FG’s
Cullen Rhoden (punts) 6-188 yards, long 54 yards

Returns:
Nick Williamson 2-44 yards
Martinez Gallman 1-17 yards