Johnston, SC – The Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) Fighting Rebels found themselves in an unfamiliar position trailing the visiting W.J. Keenan High School Raiders at halftime and in dire need of an offensive spark. A pair of fumbles had stopped a Rebels’ drive on the 1-yard line as they were preparing to score and set up a Raiders’ touchdown.

Fortunately for the Rebels, Michael Blocker and Travis Kinard had all the answers Strom Thurmond would need.

“We didn’t do the best job we could of playing with focus, effort and discipline and we had to challenge them at halftime and they responded really, really well,” stated STHS head coach Andrew Webb.

Blocker, a junior, rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on offense and returned a fumble forced on a big hit by Darius Simpkins down inside the Raiders’ 10-yard line, setting up a touchdown run by Chris Barnes as the Rebels (10-2) defeated the Raiders (7-4) to advance to the third round of the Class AA state playoffs. Blocker also led the Rebels defensively with a team-high 9 tackles. Meanwhile, senior Travis Kinard caught five passes for 98 yards and the Rebels extended their winning streak to 10 games.

“He’s a really good football player, he’s a really good leader, and he’s a really good Rebel,” Webb said of Blocker. “The fight that he has and the energy he plays with, he brings that every week. When you play hard and get to the football good things happen and he made some good things happen tonight.”

“Two of the biggest plays we had were made by Travis Kinard,” Webb added. “He pops a screen down there on third and thirteen from the three and then makes a great catch down the sideline so that was a heck of a job by him.”

Webb praised the Rebels’ “Blue Steel” defense, which held a high-powered Keenan’s offense that came in averaging over 40 points per game to under 10. He also expressed pride in his offensive line, which opened up big holes in the second half as the Rebels scored 21 unanswered points to take control of the ballgame.

“Our defense played lights out as always and we’re happy to be playing next week,” commented Webb. “We took that game over up front and I’m very proud of them. In the second half, we really buckled down and played really well.”

Webb loved the way his team stuck together when faced with adversity in a difficult first half.

“When things don’t go right it’s easy to break apart, point a finger and these guys did not do that,” stated Webb. “They kept playing hard and that’s the standard we have to always be held to to play with pride, class, courage and the will to win. You have to have the courage to stick together with your teammates when things get tough and they did that.”

The victory sets up a much-anticipated rematch with the Saluda High Tigers on Friday, November 18, at Strom Thurmond High School Stadium with a trip to the Class AA Upper State Championship Game on the line. The game marks the first time the two teams have crossed paths in the state playoffs.

“I don’t know what the record is for the number of people we’ve had in these stands, but I hope this next week we set it because we’re going to need you,” stated Webb. “It should be fun.”