JOHNSTON – With the school year winding down, it’s time for spring football to start up.  

The Rebels (10-3 in 2009) hit the gridiron over the past two weeks with a slew of talent for the 2010 season. Led by rising junior quarterback Raleigh Yeldell, Strom Thurmond will begin the season ranked #1 in AA and #12 overall in the state.  

Supporting Yeldell is plenty of offensive weaponry as Chris Blocker (RB), Darius Hammonds (RB), Desmond Davis (WR), Malcom Watkins (RB), Emmanuel Brighthop (WR), Cody Johnson (WR), Tony Stepney (RB/LB), Brian Mitchell (WR), Antonio Hamilton (WR), Marquez Mathis (WR) and Eric Gallman (RB) will be returning.   

The offensive line will also be strong with Tyrell Alewine, Chris Griffin, Malcolm Curry, Cole Brazell, Trey Caines, Fred Alewine, Chris Herrin and Montel Webb all fighting for playing time.

If it seems as though Thurmond’s strongpoint throughout the years has been defense it should come as no surprise when the unit displays similar strength in 2010.   

The new season will prove no different as the “Blue Steel” defense will be loaded with physical and hard-hitting talent. Defensive standout Octavious Brown (getting major college attention) will be anchoring the defensive line as a three-year starter and will require the attention of at least two offensive linemen each game.

Linebackers K.J. Padgett, Marcus Hartley, Tony Stepney, Cullen Rhoden, Nick Clark, Aaron Cook, Malcolm Cook, Marquise Lomax and Demetrius Stevens will look to stuff the run from their attack positions.

Meanwhile, Hykeem Brooks, a rising sophomore who started all 13 games as a freshman, will be wreaking havoc in the defensive secondary.  Shaq Dobbs, Jordan Ball and Demetrius Leysath also return as defensive backs.     

Plenty will be expected from Cullen Rhoden as a senior punter. He led the state in punting last season by averaging 41.3 yards per punt and was selected to the 2009 All-State Team.  

Head coach Lee Sawyer has also named current staff member Antwaun Hillary as the new Offensive Coordinator to replace Chad Leaphart, who took over as the head coach of Swansea during the offseason.

Last season, the offense averaged 28 points while the defense allowed just 13 points per game. The Rebels will open the season at defending Class A state champion Williston-Elko on August 20th.