COLUMBIA – Strom Thurmond (4-1) will travel to Bolden Stadium tonight for a Thursday night showdown with the Columbia Capitals (3-2).  Not only is this the region opener, but it features the region’s best offense against the region’s best defense.  

Columbia averages 37 points per game and Thurmond has been holding opponents to an average of 9 points per game.

The Capitals are led by Kemper Amick, who is 86-57 as a head coach.  

“Unfortunately for us, Thurmond did something you rarely see them do, in giving Silver Bluff a gift last week. They dominated most of the game, but made many mistakes in the 4th which handed Silver Bluff the win. This only means they will be refocused and mad on Thursday night.

“I told my team the points will not come as easy this week because Thurmond is well coached and are always where they’re supposed to be,” said Amick.   

Thurmond dropped the first game of their season with four turnovers in the 4th qtr last week, so it will be important for them to come out and re establish themselves early.  

“There is an old saying that you never want to play a good team after they lose. Well, we are going to see if we have a good team or not Thursday night. When you have things go the way they did against Silver Bluff, it’s important to get past it and move forward. We had a prayer meeting and I let the guys know they can be much better than they played,” said Rebels’ coach Lee Sawyer. “It’s important to stress the positives and teach them to learn from their mistakes.

“Columbia’s offense raises a lot of concerns as they are geared on big plays. They have two receivers that average 20 yards a catch and their quarterback is very good. Defensively, they are strong on stopping the run, so it will be important for our offense to establish itself early. Winning the first region game means you are one up on half the region.  It will be important for us to come out with attitude and play good football,” he added.    

Keys to Victory:
“We cannot turn the ball over and the defense must play their assignments well by not getting caught out of position. This season we return 10 starters on offense and our wide receivers are very good. They must run great routes and be where they are supposed to be. Strom Thurmond is always well coached and they have great athletes, so it’s going to be tough for us.”  - Kemper Amick
 
“We must get some takeaways. That’s something we haven’t done the last two games after getting so many the first three games. Our defense will need to bring pressure to (Ky) Tyler (QB) like he hasn’t seen and get him feeling uncomfortable. We must shut down their run game and force them into taking underneath routes. They thrive on big plays and have the capability of having a lot of big plays with their great receiving corp. Offensively we must throw and catch well, move the chains and establish our run game.” – Lee Sawyer.  

By the Numbers:
Offensively:  ST 26 ppg  Col 37 ppg
Defensively: ST 9 ppg  Col 18 ppg 

Last Game:
Thurmond 21 Silver Bluff 24
Columbia 37 Wade Hampton (G) 50
 
All Time Series:
ST leads10-1.

Previous Meeting:
ST 42 Col 0

Players to Watch:
Columbia
Kynicholas Tyler (QB)
Justin Metze (WR)
De’Erick Bradley (RB)
Casey Gladney (WR)
Carnell Muller (LB)

Strom Thurmond
Raleigh Yeldell (QB) 40-64-593yards 3 td’s, 2 int’s, 5.5 rush yards per carry 3 td’s     
Octavious Brown (DL) 1 sack, double teamed every play
Jeremy Johnson (LB) 51 tackles
Darrius Hammonds (RB) 7 yards per rush, 5 rushing td’s, 96 yard kickoff return for td,95 yard punt return for touchdown, 13 yards per catch
Demetrius Leysath (DB) 44 tackles
Cody Johnson (DB) 3 interceptions
Devonte Farrow (DL) 5 sacks
Cullen Rhoden (P/LB) 34 yards per punt
Antonio Hamilton (WR) 18 yards per catch, 1 td

Directions to Bolden Stadium from I-20 East
·    Merge onto I-26/US-76 via Exit 64A--- 0.9miles
·    TakeI-126 E exit, Exit 108 B, on the LEFT toward Downtown ---0.3 miles
·    Merge onto US-76 E---4.3miles
·    Turn RIGHT onto BULL ST/US-76---0.1 miles
·    Turn LEFT onto CALHOUN ST.---0.6miles
·    Turn LEFT onto HARDEN ST/SC555---0.0miles
·    Turn RIGHT onto ELMWOOD AVE---0.3miles
·    Turn LEFT onto BARHAMVILLE RD---0.8 miles
·    Stadium on BARHAMVILLE ROAD next to W.A. Perry Middle School, 2600 Barhamville Road