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 Rebels Ride Out of Thoroughbred Country with Big Win By Tim Crane web posted September 17, 2011 SPORTS – Facing the largest school on the schedule and a sure nemesis throughout its history, Strom Thurmond got off the buses in South Aiken ready to make a statement. A win over a good 4A South Aiken team would have given the Rebels a lot of confidence going into next week’s showdown with fellow class 2A power Silver Bluff. Especially considering Silver Bluff beat South Aiken last week 15-12. But what the Rebels got was a dominating performance on both sides of the ball that sent a message to the remaining schedule: This Strom Thurmond team is for real. Thurmond racked up over 400 yards of offense while holding South Aiken’s star running back, Kendall Williams, to 42 yards rushing of which 26 yards came on a fumble scoop and run. With temperatures hovering in the low 60’s at best, winds blowing thru the stadium and a sure sign of rain to fall during the game, one couldn’t help but wonder if this trip to South Aiken would turn out unfavorable for the favorite in the game, like it had multiple times during this series and most recently 2007. After two holding penalties forced Thurmond to punt from their own endzone on the Rebels first possession, the uneasy feeling started to arise. But Cullen Rhoden got off a booming 55 yard punt to help the visitor side get a little breathing room. Facing a 3rd and 8, South Aiken’s quarterback Bo Baldwin connected a 35 yard pass down the middle of the field, setting the T-Breds up at Thurmond’s 15 yard line and a first down with 8:00 minutes to play in the 1st quarter. The Blue Steel defense then rose up and forced four consecutive incomplete passes getting the ball back to the Rebel offense. On the second play of the drive, Malcolm Watkins took the handoff straight up the gut, made one cut towards the Rebel sideline, shook another South Aiken defender nearly out of his shoes and strolled down the sideline for a 73 yard touchdown. Trent Miller connected the extra point and Thurmond led 7-0 with 4:08 to play in the 1st quarter. Chris Herrin, Zeljaco Graham and James Bates stalled the Thoroughbreds ensuing drive when they pressured Baldwin into throwing a premature errant pass on 3rd and 7. South Aiken’s punt was shanked off the side of Brandon Moseley’s foot, flew out of bounds at the Thurmond 45 yard line and nearly into the stands. A questionable (at best) spot, saw the officials place the ball at Thurmond’s 31 yard line, which brought out many dumbfounded expressions and voices of disapproval from the packed Rebel stands. The misguided spot became irrelevant just five plays later when Raleigh Yeldell juked two Thoroughbred defenders nearly out of their ankles on his way to a 41 yard touchdown run. The swirling winds were no factor to Trent Miller as he split the uprights, pushing Thurmond ahead 14-0 with 10:33 to play in the 2nd quarter. On the following possession, Thurmond’s defense would again play hard and fundamentally sound, holding standout running back Kendall Williams and South Aiken to only one first down, forcing another quick punt. Moseley got off a 46 yard punt and kept it between the sidelines this time, pinning Thurmond back to the 19 yard line with 7:28 to play in the first half. Thurmond’s offensive line, going against a huge South Aiken defensive front, established itself in the Rebels next drive that ate nearly 6 minutes off the clock. Yeldell connected an 11 touchdown yard pass to Darrius Hammond with only 1:33 remaining before halftime. Trent Miller nailed the point after attempt and it appeared the rout was on as Thurmond went out front 21-0. The supposed South Aiken jinx would rear its head over the course of the remaining seconds of the first half. The Thoroughbreds returned the Rebel squib kick across midfield to the Thurmond 47 yard line. The Blue Steel defense sacked Bo Baldwin on the first play of the drive causing Baldwin to fumble, but South Aiken got a fortuitous roll when the ball bounced into the hands of runningback Kendall Williams. Williams took off for a net gain of 26 yards but actually ran about 40 yards down to the 21 yard line. Four plays later, Bo Baldwin pounded the ball into the endzone cutting Thurmond’s lead 21-7 going into halftime. The Rebels, needing to reestablish control of the game after the end of the 1st half, came out of the locker room and put together a nine play drive that saw Thurmond go right at the heart of South Aiken’s big interior defensive line. The Rebels chewed 4:23 off the clock on eight consecutive runs and capped the drive off with a 24 yard Trent Miller field goal. Thurmond led 24-7 with 7:37 to go in the 3rd quarter. South Aiken attempted to sustain a drive and gain momentum after Miller’s field goal, but Rebel defensive end Zeljaco Graham sacked Baldwin for a 9 yard loss on third down and Nick Clark brought pressure forcing an incomplete 4th down pass creating a turnover on downs with 1:31 to go in the third quarter. Raleigh Yeldell connected with wide receiver Shaq Dobbs for a 72 yard touchdown but the spectacular play was negated due to the second Rebel second in as many plays bringing it back. Yeldell tossed a screen to Darrius Hammond, who stiff armed a would be tackler to spring loose, hit high gear and then went 56 yards for a touchdown. There was no better time than Miller Time and Trent’s last call didn’t disappoint as he poured on the final points for the Rebels offense; ST 31-7 with 10:37 to play in the game. Blue Steel linebacker Aaron Cook put a big hit on South Aiken’s Bo Baldwin on the final drive, which unfortunately Baldwin wasn’t able to return from. But South Aiken was able to establish their most impressive drive of the night while many Rebel underclassmen gained valuable experience. The Thoroughbreds connected a 17 yard touchdown pass, on a drive that accounted for 85 yards, as time expired to end the game 31-13 in favor of Thurmond. The Rebels, ranked high throughout the state, are loaded for what seems to be a big run this season. But the challenges only get harder as Silver Bluff and Columbia come to town the next two weeks. Chasing 400: Strom Thurmond acquired win 399 with the victory over South Aiken. The Rebels continue to march towards the prestigious 400 club. What’s Next: Silver Bluff (3-1) at Thurmond (4-0) Airport at South Aiken (2-2) Recap by quarter: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final penalty yards first downs total offensive yards ST 7 14 3 7 31 5 -52 15 416 SA 0 7 0 6 13 3-25 15 288 Individuals for Strom Thurmond Passing: Raleigh Yeldell 6-8-116yards, 2 touchdowns Rushing: Malcolm Watkins 7-131yards 1 touchdown Darrius Hammond 11-60yards, Raleigh Yeldell 8-94yards 1 touchdown James Mckie 6-15 yards Receiving: Darrius Hammond 4-97yards 2 touchdowns Shaq Dobbs 2-19 yards Returns: Darrius Hammond 1-21 yards Tykeem Brooks 1-21 yards Kicking: Trent Miller 4-4 PAT’s, 1 field goal 24 yards © Copyright 2011 All material is property of
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