JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond moved to 6-2 on the season with 56-18 trucking of Eau Claire.  This week the Rebels roll into Gilbert (1-7) looking to keep the momentum and swagger flowing.

Gilbert picked up their first victory of the season with a 23-6 win over Keenan last Friday.  The Indians came close to striking the win column in multiple games thus far, but were finally able to seal the deal against the Raiders.  

“It was a big win for us last week.  We’ve faced some quality opponents this year and hadn’t been able to close it out.  I feel like we finally played good defense for an entire game since week one.  We now have to do everything in our power to get another region win within the next two weeks, which will put us in the playoffs.

We had 24 turnovers in the first 4 games and they cost us big time.  The turnover trend has gone away the last few weeks and we need to continue to play without turnovers this week.  But that’s not an easy task because Thurmond has a great coaching staff and is blessed with a lot of talent.”  - Barry Harley.  

The Rowdy Rebels seem to have gotten their swagger back after two unexpected losses in the midseason.  The confidence will be needed as will the killer instinct when they take on the Indians.   Thurmond hasn’t been able to put Gilbert away easily the last two seasons.
 
“We seem to never be able to get rid of them.   In 2008 we jumped out big, but they come roaring back and last season they hung around until the final whistle.  They have new life by picking up a win last week and can make the playoffs with a win this week or next.  

They have begun to mix their offense up from the spread to a tight wing formation.  They can keep the ball away and eat the clock if you don’t stop the wing offense.  That’s what they did to Batesburg a few weeks ago; jumping out to a 9-7 lead before Batesburg was eventually able to pull away late.

This game is very important to us and we cannot get caught looking ahead to week 10.  If we lose to Gilbert, the Batesburg game will not be for a region title.”  - Lee Sawyer.   

Keys to Victory:  
“Got to play great defense and have no turnovers while on offense.  Fight for and win the battle for field position.  It’s been hard for us to sustain long drives and not have any errors.  We must put together those long drives and limit the mistakes if we are to be successful.”  Barry Harley.
    
“We must be ready for any and everything. Defensively they line up differently, up front, than what we are used to seeing.  Our offensive line must be able to block their front and our skill guys must get to the next level on them.  Raleigh and the receivers must throw and catch well.”  Lee Sawyer.  

By the Numbers:
Offensively:  ST 29 ppg  GIL 10 ppg
Defensively: ST 11 ppg  GIL 30 ppg 

Last Game:
Thurmond 56 Eau Claire 18  
Gilbert 23 Keenan 6
 
All Time Series:
ST leads 2-0.

Previous Meeting:    
ST 21 GIL 7 2009