JOHNSTON – Strom Thurmond came out of the corner swinging and never let up against Ridge Spring-Monetta on Friday night in a lopsided 49-0 victory.  

“I’m proud of my team for playing hard and not getting complacent,” said Rebels head coach Lee Sawyer. “It was nice to hold them early, score on our first play and keep the intensity throughout the game.”   

An early indicator of the way the night would go took place right before the opening kickoff with the coin toss – which the Rebels also won.  

Strom Thurmond deferred to the second half and the Blue Steel defense re-emerged this season as they forced a three and out on the Trojans’ first series.  The Rebel offense took over at the Trojan 29 and on the first play from scrimmage Nick Williamson took off for a touchdown around the left side.  

Sam Northrop added the PAT kick and the Rebs led 7-0 with 9:32 remaining in the first quarter.  
The Rebel defense forced another three and out on the Trojan “Power I” offense and Strom Thurmond would start their second drive at their own 29.  The offensive line, led by senior center Kyle Christie, would open gaping holes and provide quality pass protection for the offense to move 71 yards in 11 plays over the next five minutes of the first quarter.  

Sophomore quarterback Raleigh Yeldell completed three passes on three attempts, including a drive-saving fourth down conversion pass to Jamell Jackson. Nick Williamson rushed seven times, capping off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown on a counter draw play. After Northrop added the PAT, ST led 14-0 with 2:17 to go in the first quarter of play.   

The second quarter would not be any kinder to the Trojans.  

After holding RS-M to a third straight three and out to end the first quarter, Strom Thurmond got the ball to begin the second quarter. They quickly moved 39 yards for another score, using only three plays, in high-flying fashion as Yeldell scrambled for 21 a yard touchdown he capped off with a leap into the end zone. Although exciting to the home crowd, the leap drew an unsportsmanlike conduct flag from the officials and a reprimand by Coach Sawyer.   

Northrop nailed the extra point and the Rebs led 21-0 with 11:07 left in the quarter..  
The Blue Steel defense then forced a fumble and Dominique Scott recovered to set Thurmond up at the Trojan 38 yard line. But the Trojans finally made a stand and denied the Rebel offense, as they created a turnover on downs with 8:01 remaining in the first half.  

Not to be outdone, the Rebel defense held the Trojan offense to another three and out to get the Rebel offense back on the field at the Trojan 28. Three plays later, Raleigh Yeldell rolls to his right and maneuvers around some great blocks for a 19-yard touchdown run (this time, standing up).  Northrop split the uprights and ST led 28-0 with 4:19 remaining before halftime.

Senior linebacker Marcelis Thompson picked up from where he left off in Chapin as he sacked Ridge Spring quarterback Drake Yon for a 12-yard loss, forcing yet another three and out.   
Yeldell’s offense took over at the Trojan’s 34 and provided a balanced attack to move into the end zone for the fifth time of the first half. Yeldell threw three straight passes to Desmond Davis and Chris Blocker took two consecutive handoffs to set the Rebels up with a first and goal at the two.

Yeldell finished off this methodical drive with a two yard quarterback keeper, to put Strom Thurmond ahead 35-0 at the half following Northrop’s PAT kick.

Ridge Spring-Monetta brought some fire with them out of the locker room after the half, forcing Thurmond to punt for the first time of the night. But once again Thurmond’s defense proved too strong as they kept the Trojans from getting a first down.   

On the ensuing punt, Martinez Gallman hit the left side of the field and raced towards the scoreboard, outrunning everyone on the field for a 75-yard touchdown return. After some much needed halftime rest, Northrop legged the PAT through the goal post and Thurmond led 42-0 with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter.  

To cap off a dominating performance, with 6:27 remaining in the third, Thurmond’s Blue Steel defense disrupted a punt attempt by the Trojan punter Judson Fox and Nick Clark caught the ball as it flew from Fox’s hand. Clark showed he knew what to do with it too as he raced 15 yards to the end zone for Thurmond’s last score of the night.  

Northrop delivered the final blow with a PAT that split the uprights for the 49-0 final.

What Happened:  Strom Thurmond was too strong up front, on both sides of the ball. The offensive line pushed RS-M’s defensive line around, creating craters for the Rebel running backs to dash through. Defensively, Thurmond’s line created havoc for the Trojan offense by disrupting nearly every play. Ridge Spring-Monetta’s first, first down came with 4:30 to go in the third quarter. Strom Thurmond came out with intensity and maintained it throughout the entire ballgame.

What’s next:  Thurmond has a bye week and then travels to North Augusta on 9/4. Ridge Spring hosts Saluda next Friday.

Note:  If there is a better looking high school football field in South Carolina, I would like to see it.  Strom Thurmond’s field was immaculate. My hat is off to the maintenance crew for the field.