JOHNSTON – With the playoffs one week away and a region title on the line, there will not be a much bigger venue for South Carolina High School Football than Batesburg-Leesville at Strom Thurmond Friday night.  

Both teams enter with a 7-2 record and are vying for the region’s top spot which ensures three home playoff games.  

All region games are important, but it’s been a long time since a season finale had so much emphasis placed on it as this one does. Batesburg and Thurmond have met 45 times and it has always grabbed the attention of spectators throughout the state. With so much on the line Friday night it will be a gigantic matchup of epic proportions.      

 “This is what we wanted when we scheduled it; a final week showdown for the region title,” said B-L coach Courtney McInnis. “It’s great for our fans, the atmosphere, the gate and our teams. Whether each team wins or not, they will have to refocus and get mentally prepared to make a five week playoff run. Neither can get too high or low after Friday.

“We will be facing your usual Strom Thurmond team; they play hard-nosed football, defensively they’re well coached, will come after you and hit hard. There are no tricks or surprises; we have to be ready because they will come to play.” He added.    

“We’re glad it unfolded the way it has because this is the way we envisioned it,” said Thurmond coach Lee Sawyer. “This is a huge game and means the world as far as playoffs are concerned to each team. This game will come down to who wants it more. Offensively, we must protect the ball, which is something we didn’t do in our two losses.  

“They have many great football players and we must step up to play with these guys. Antonio Butler (6-feet-6-inches tall) has been a nightmare for teams off the defensive end. We must neutralize him and be ready to defend him when he plays offense. K.J. Johnson (quarterback) is a super athlete and a threat every time he touches it. They won’t give many opportunities for an interception because they don’t put it in the air often. This is team that looks like an old school B-L team; they are running a lot of I-Formations, Options, and Counters,” added coach Sawyer.

They’ve only faced off in week 10 on two occasions; 1974 and 1975 and the Panthers won both games. Since 1960 Batesburg is 38-11-1 in regular season finales, with their last loss coming to Saluda in 2003. Thurmond hasn’t lost a week 10 game since 2002 and is 34-15 in regular season finales.

The Rebels have outscored the Panthers 722-691 in the series and 17 games have been decided by 8 points or less. B-L has 4 State Titles and 18 Conference Titles since 1960. The Panthers are led by Courtney McInnis, who is 71-30 as a head coach.

Batesburg rides in on a seven-game win streak after opening the season with two losses. Since the return of K.J. Johnson, the Panthers haven’t been tested. Their closest game was a 20-point win over Columbia during this streak.  

Thurmond has put together three wins after dropping consecutive games in the midseason. The Rebels had a few starters out over the last few weeks, but they will be ready to go Friday night.     

The winner gets first place. If Batesburg-Leesville loses they finish in 2nd place. Thurmond can lose and still get 2nd place, but there is one scenario that pushes ST to 3rd place: Thurmond loses, Columbia wins and Eau Claire loses. This would put Thurmond on the road in the first round to the 2nd seed from Region IV (probably Indian Land).    

Keys to Victory:  
“Keep the ball away from them by keeping possession. We cannot give up big plays and must eliminate our mistakes. Containing Raleigh Yeldell and limiting his big pass plays,” – Courtney McInnis

“Limiting big plays is a huge concern. They thrive on them. We cannot stop them, stop them, stop them, and then let a 40-yard play get off. Our special teams must be ready because Ricky Adams (KR) has the ability to take it to the house every time he touches it.  Overall, we need to keep field position and limit mistakes.” – Lee Sawyer.  

By the Numbers:
Offensively:  ST 30 ppg  BL 29 ppg
Defensively: ST 10 ppg  BL 14 ppg 

Last Game:
Thurmond 35 Gilbert 0
Batesburg 42 Keenan 12
 
All Time Series:
ST leads 26-19

Previous Meeting:    
ST 24 BL 17 2009

Region Titles:
BL:  18
ST:  21