2026 Preview: Strom Thurmond Rebels

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season was a season of big things for Strom Thurmond's football program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another year with double-digit wins. A third region championship in four years under head coach Andrew Webb. An undefeated record at home. A trip to the state championship game for the first time in 20 years. And, most importantly, the 2A state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How they accomplished all of those big things? By nailing down the little things.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's how they went from a disappointing 2024 to the top of the mountain in 2025, and even after graduating a massive senior class the message remains the same in the peach fields.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Just got to keep the same mentality that we had last year and just keep going, work as a team," defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar'] said during last week's Prep RedZone Media Days at Gilbert.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, the Rebels followed a veteran, physical offensive line to help produce 35.8 points per game. The run game was equal parts power and explosiveness, and the pass game burned opposing defenses on deep balls and quick hitters. It was more than enough firepower thanks to a bullying defense that gave up only 13.3 points per game and always seemed to have a knack for making the big play when it was absolutely necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-point overtime stop against Batesburg-Leesville in the region opener. A last-play stand against Saluda to lock up the league championship. Another two-pointer stuffed on the final play of regulation against Fairfield Central to win the Upper State title. All of those highlight a point Webb made frequently last season and defensive end/H-back [player_tooltip player_id='1820532' first='Bralen' last='Searles'] (pictured) reiterated last week - offense wins games, defense wins state championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rebels bring back 11 starters, including some long-time starters on defense like Dugar in the secondary and [player_tooltip player_id='2121736' first='Gregory' last='John Moore Jr'] at linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id='1820538' first='Xavier' last='McAdoo'] will team up with Ridge Spring-Monetta transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1822583' first='Kamareon' last='Andrews'] for some bulk in the middle of the defensive line, and sophomores <strong>Bryson Mims</strong> and <strong>D'Nada Morgan</strong> will work with junior <strong>Kevin Bibbs</strong> and Moore to hold down the linebacker spots. [player_tooltip player_id='1822476' first='Mekhi' last='Quiller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822485' first='Mikah' last='Quiller'] bring with them from Fox Creek loads of athletic ability and playmaking potential in the secondary, on offense and on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, the talk starts up front for the offense. [player_tooltip player_id='2129235' first='Hezekiah' last='East'] at left guard and [player_tooltip player_id='1820537' first='John' last='Laster'] at center are the two returning starters, with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1820535' first='Tyler' last='Culpepper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824926' first='Trystan' last='Brannon'] moving up to man the right side. Sophomore <strong>Bennie Mobley</strong> takes over at left tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We can always count on our line to be physical, defensive and offensive lines," East said. "And I think we can count on our run game a lot, and our effort. It's always 100% effort, and that's very important. Even when the adversity hits, our effort's going to be there when we stay together."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot of production to be replaced on offense with the Class of 2026 having graduated, but there's also plenty of production returning. [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] is back at running back following a productive sophomore season, and [player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] will carry on the family tradition at quarterback after transferring in from North Augusta.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's lots of "new" pieces ready to make their mark in the starting lineup, and their veteran teammates are putting in the work to make sure everything meshes in time for the season opener against North Augusta.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"When things get hard, you've got to stay on it. Don't fold. Stay together," Searles said. "Pride, class, courage and the will to win. We've got to be about that all the time. That's our standard, and we play to our standard here. We try to teach our young guys our standard, and when things get hard don't fold."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2129235' first='Hezekiah' last='East'] OL, 2027 - East is a big-time people-mover who was more than good enough to hold his own on a veteran line that last year helped generate 391.5 yards of offense per game. Now the 295-pounder will help lead a group that will again look to be first to the fight against a stout set of opposing defensive fronts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1820537' first='John' last='Laster'] OL, 2027 - Laster is the other returning starter up front, and from his center position he's a leader in more ways than one. Every play starts with him, and he brings plenty of fire and controlled emotion to the field and sidelines. His influence is even more important now with some less experienced players stepping up to the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'] RB, 2028 - Wigfall was the Rebels' second-leading rusher last season, posting 715 yards and eight touchdowns while logging only 5.6 carries per game in a crowded crew of runners. The top spot is now his, and now instead of being a change-of-pace back he will be the tone-setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1827442' first='AJ' last='Hillary'] QB, 2027 - Hillary split snaps at quarterback last year at North Augusta, and following the graduation of Bri'Shaun Lee the Thurmond offense should be all his. He passed for 1,223 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 60% of his passes, and like Lee last year the Rebels know he has the legs to make things happen should a play break down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar'] DB, 2027 - Dugar may not have been the headliner on a senior-heavy defense last year, but that's by no fault of his own. The Rebels' secondary was a no-fly zone all year long, and he was a big reason why. One thing that immediately jumps out to us about Dugar is how sure of a tackler he is. His 87 stops last year ranked second on the team, and when he was sent into the backfield he made sure it was worth the trip. He's now the leader on the back end, and he said this group could be even better than last year's as long as everyone does their job. We're confident he'll make sure that happens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19758989/68bedca5311bcde4fa3bb959u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a396f799e128"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaleb Simpkins</strong> WR/DB - Simpkins was an electric playmaker who made things happen when the ball was in his hands, especially with his big plays in the playoffs before signing with Campbell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deonte Phillips</strong> RB/LB - The heart and soul of the Rebels, Phillips rushed for 1,203 yards and 25 touchdowns while making 35 tackles before signing with Newberry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1818415' first='Preston' last='Holmes'] WR, 2028 - The Rebels had playmakers galore last year, and Holmes was the one they counted on to return the most kicks. He's dynamic in space, and he'll have more opportunities at wide receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennie Mobley</strong> OL, 2029 - If you haven't yet noticed, Strom Thurmond places a ton of importance on offensive line play. Putting a sophomore at left tackle tells us the Rebels are really, really high on Mobley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1818416"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a397f4bbe128"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rouse was the X-factor for Strom Thurmond during the Rebels' state title run, as the offense went to a "WildZy" package for him to take direct snaps in short-yardage and goal line situations. He cashed in to the tune of 554 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 7.5 yards per attempt despite often being the smallest player on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no reason to think anything changes this season, except for that there will be more of it. He'll be a major contributor at running back, wide receiver, quarterback, free safety and anywhere else Webb and his staff can find ways to get him the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's that valuable of a playmaker, and he can lean on last year's experience as he becomes a bigger part of opposing teams' game plans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->