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  Rematch: Playoffs Round III, Thurmond at Pageland Central By Tim Crane web posted November 19, 2009 SPORTS – It’s the third round of the South Carolina AA State Playoffs and Strom Thurmond (10-2) will take the road to Pageland to face the Central Eagles (10-2). It’s approximately a 2 hour 45 minute drive, so leave early to make it on time. Last season, the town of Pageland shutdown as nearly all of its citizens were in Johnston, packed into Strom Thurmond’s stadium. Now it’s our time to return the favor by packing out their stadium. There are a lot of similarities between the two programs; Central has three state titles and Thurmond has two. Each school has 20 region titles. Pageland comes into the game on a seven game win streak and the Rebels are riding a nine game win streak. Both teams pride themselves on playing physical, smashmouth football. That’s exactly what we are going to see this Friday night. “We are going to knock each others teeth out during this game, but afterwards it will be nothing but respect and admiration from both sides. We must figure out a way to score on these guys. They are as good as anyone we have played on defense. Some people don’t realize their defense is just as good as it was last season and that’s saying a lot.” Coach Joey Mangum. After graduating so much talent from last season, not many experts gave these teams a shot at being contenders this season. “People told us that we wouldn’t be any good this season and maybe finish 3rd in our region. I bet they told Strom Thurmond the same thing. But our programs expect to win each time they take the field and that stems from our traditions. Our players, coaches and fans believed and once you believe you will win, you will win. The young guys are playing hard, putting time in the weight room and getting better each week. Of the eight teams still playing, seven were playing at this time last season. At the beginning of each season, you can pick ten teams that have great tradition and they will more than likely be in the mix at this time of the year. Our teams are no exception.” Coach Mangum on Central and Thurmond’s tradition. Central beat a stubborn Chesnee team by seven points last week and will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Strom Thurmond (10-2) jumped out to a 21-0 lead on the pass happy Broome Centurions and never looked back last Friday. This week they face a team that is on the opposite end of the spectrum, offensively. Central lines up in the wishbone and runs the ball 90% of the time. “Central is in it every year. They don’t have down seasons in Pageland; even when they are not supposed to be good, they are good. If you want to win a state title in AA, you have to go through Central first. They line up and come right at you offensively and they play very physical on defense. It’s power football at its best.” Coach Lee Sawyer. Last season Central and Thurmond were both 12-0 coming into the game at Thurmond. The Eagle’s shocked the home crowd by pulling off a five point win. There are many players on this Thurmond team that remembers how tough that loss was and would like nothing more than to return the favor this season. The winner will host either Abbeville or Batesburg-Leesville for the upperstate title game. With two weeks of the post season in the books, the field narrows to only eight teams. They are the elite eight of AA football; Dillon, Timberland, Manning, Cheraw, Abbeville, Batesburg, Thurmond and Central. They have a combined 19 state titles since 1960. Quote of the Day: “There is not a program in this entire state, that I have more respect for than Strom Thurmond. Their coaches, players and fans are all first class and it shows every time they take the field. “ Joey Mangum. Coaches Corner: “They are very patient on offense and will bust a big play before you know it. We cannot let them break the big plays on us. Their offensive line is not given enough credit; they are real good. We must get off of blocks to make the tackles. They are just like us. They don’t throw much, but when they do, it’s very effective. We have got to make them drive the length of the field on us. We must take advantage of each scoring opportunity, because their defense is one of the best out there. ” Joey Mangum “We must stop their powerful running game and respect their ability to pass the ball also. Field position will be key and neither team can afford to turn the ball over. Offensively it will be imperative for us to move the chains; which is easier said than done against a defense like they have. Extra points and field goals will be a big factor in this game.” ---Lee Sawyer. Matchup: Two powerful running teams, with lights out defenses and mutual respect will lock up in a heavyweight battle. Which team can impose their will on the other and put more points on the board by the end of the game? Alltime Series: Central leads 1-0. By the Numbers: Offensively: ST 30 ppg PC 30 ppg Defensively: ST 12.5 ppg PC 12.5 ppg Last Week: Thurmond 31 Broome 12 Central 20 Chesnee 13 Like Opponents: Eau Claire: ST 43-7, PC 42-8 Mid Carolina: ST 21-20, PC 26-7 Previous Meeting: PC 12 ST 7--- Round three of playoffs; November 21, 2008 at Strom Thurmond. Playoffs: Since 2003, Strom Thurmond has played 18 playoff games. 16 of them have been at home. This will be only the third time in the last seven seasons the Rebels will play outside of Johnston in the playoffs. They are 2-0 on the road during this time frame (2005 beat Clinton at Williams Brice for the AAA State Title and 2007 beat Marlboro County in the 2nd round). Players to Watch: PC: Keagan Funderburk (TE/DE) 6’4” 260lbs Shrine Bowler, 100 tackles, 20 sacks, 4 defensive touchdowns, 17 catches for 7 td’s on offense. Mardu Smith (RB) 1024 yards and 8 touchdowns Jowan Henderson (QB) 908 yards and 15 TD’s passing, 250 yards rushing ST: Raleigh Yeldell (QB) 128-688yards avg 5.4 yards per carry with 11 rushing TD’s, passing 80-145-883yds 4 TD’s, 1 interception Nick Williamson (RB) 182-1063yards avg 6 yards per carry with 15 rushing TD’s Nick Clark (LB) team leading 96 tackles, one interception Desmond Davis (WR) 21 receptions 193yards and 2 touchdowns Martinez Gallman (ATH) 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 2 TD’s, over 50 tackles Deikory Williams(FS) 3 interceptions, 75 tackles Sam Northrop (K) 43-46 PAT’s, 7 field goals Marcellis Thompson (LB) 95 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns, 5 blocked PAT’s, 1 fumble recovery, 1 blocked field goal, North-South Allstar Jonathon Williams (OL) North-South Allstar; great pass protector and run blocker. Toney Stepney (LB) 88 tackles, 1 interception Dominique Scott (DL) 2 fumble recoveries, one returned for a TD, multiple tackles, explosive off dline Octavious Brown (DL) dominant off the defensive line Cullen Rhoden (P/ LB) 40.6 yards per punt average Kickoff is 7:30 at Central High….Get your Strom Thurmond gear and get out to support the Rebels! © Copyright 2009
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