Strom Thurmond Defense, Big Plays Win Class 2A Title

ORANGEBURG | As the closing seconds were clicking off the Oliver C Dawson Stadium clock, Strom Thurmond's Sha Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='1515761' first='Jalin' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins'] were declaring it a “No Fly Zone.” The three secondary members earned the right to say that after they made big play after big play to lead the Rebels to their first state championship in 20 years in a 26-7 victory over Hampton County Saturday afternoon.   Collins intercepted two passes and Willams added another one as they limited an offense that was averaging over 43 points and 400 yards per game to just 208 yards of total offense and a single touchdown on the final play of the first half. The only allowed 16 yards passing in that 208 yards.   Now they get to celebrate a championship for the first time in two decades.   “This means everything to me and where we're from,” Simpkins said. “My family is rooted in tradition here. Just to bring something back home that hasn't been here in 20 years is special.   Strom Thurmond (13-2) dominated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. That helped [player_tooltip player_id='1820530' first='Deonte' last='Phillips'] run for 155 yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1820528' first='Bri'Shaun' last='Lee'] made plays when he needed them most, throwing for 126 yards and scoring passes to Simpkins and Williams.   “Everything starts with running the ball and the boys upfront and we did it,” Strom Thurmond coach Andrew Webb said. “When you're able to run the ball, that gives you chances to be one-on-one out wide. We love our chances and Lee threw some great balls and Simpkins and Williams made plays when they had to.”   Hampton County's [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] came into the contest with 2,482 yards rushing and 47 total touchdowns, but the Rebels kept the versatile back out of the end zone for the first time this season. Singletary finished with 150 yards on 30 carries and 4.5 tackles on defense.   The Rebels jumped out to an 18-0 lead thanks to an opportunistic offense and defense. Simpkins got things going when he picked up a Hampton County fumble and returned it 62 yards to the Rebels 30-yard line. Phillips scampered in from 37 yards out two plays later and a 6-0 lead with 3:24 remaining in the first quarter.   The next drive was almost as quick. They covered 67 yards in four plays when Lee threw a dime to Simpkins for a 55-yard touchdown. Simpkins was again a main factor to start the next scoring drive when he stopped Singletary a yard short on a fourth-and-two play from the Rebels 15-yard line.   Phillips added his second score of the half when he capped a nine-play, 86-yard drive that consumed 4:55 off the clock when he powered in from four yards out with 24 seconds remaining.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820419' first='Desmond' last='Mathis'] set up the only Hampton County touchdown when he returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards to the Rebels 10-yard line. Two plays later, he caught a 10-yard pass from [player_tooltip player_id='1644574' first='Tarell' last='Grant'] on the final play of the half.   From there, it was all about the Rebels defense. Hampton County (11-4) had a chance to get closer on the opening drive of the second half, but Williams came across the way and made a tackle on a reverse that left the Hurricanes a yard short on a fourth-and-six play.   “We talked about it all week in practice,” Williams said. “I saw it and ran full speed. It was effort, discipline and focus and I was able to make a play.”   Williams led the effort with 8.5 tackles and the front seven of Wytravious Dugar [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] [player_tooltip player_id='1820529' first='Bryston' last='Coleman'] [player_tooltip player_id='1824427' first='Grady' last='Stone'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823104' first='Grayson' last='Smith'] were always in the position to make a play.   “That's a really good football team. They had the No. 1 offense in 2A and we held them to seven points. Outstanding job by our defensive coaches and players. They played to the standard to the people that came before them,” Webb said. “We got 11hats to the ball. We read our keys and it's the same defense we played all year, but it just got better and better as the year went. We ran to the ball and were physical.”   OTHER STROM THURMOND NOTABLES   [player_tooltip player_id='1820537' first='John' last='Laster'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823112' first='Micah' last='Warren'] OL/DL – Those two were instrumental in helping the Rebels compile 300 yards of total offense. The controlled the line of scrimmage and was able to get a great push to pave the way   OTHER HAMPTON COUNTY NOTABLES   [player_tooltip player_id='1823006' first='Ja'Shon' last='Williams'] LB – The Hurricanes junior led the defensive effort with six tackles. He was laying side-to-side and made plays all over the field. He will be one of the leaders of this defense next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823002' first='Malik' last='Terry'] LB – The senior middle linebacker capped his career with a four-tackle effort. He was the Hurricanes leading tackler during the season and he finished with 107 tackles. He is stocky and plays inside well.

ORANGEBURG | As the closing seconds were clicking off the Oliver C Dawson Stadium clock, Strom Thurmond's Sha Williams, Jalin Collins Jalin Collins SC and Kaleb Simpkins Kaleb Simpkins 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Strom Thurmond | 2026 State SC were declaring it a “No Fly Zone.” The three secondary members earned the right to say that after they made big play after big play to lead the Rebels to their first state championship in 20 years in a 26-7 victory over Hampton County Saturday afternoon.