Johnston, SC – The 2023 high school football season was another tremendous success story for the Strom Thurmond High School Fighting Rebels under head coach Andrew Webb. The Rebels reached the Upper State semifinals, falling just short of a road victory at No. 2 Gray Collegiate, and finished a second consecutive season with 10 wins and the Region 3-AA championship.

Coach Webb was named Region 3-AA Coach of the Year, while standout wide receiver Braylon Staley was named Region 3-AA Player of the Year, turning an average of five receptions per game and 17 yards per catch into a season total of 1,166 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Placekicker and punter Nate Nordeen (8/9 FGs, long of 50 yards, 69 points, 46 touchbacks) was also named as Region 3-AA Special Teams Player of the Year.

Other Rebels named to the 2023 Region 3-AA All-Region Team include the following student-athletes:

-           Quarterback Quan Edmond (2,472 passing yards, 166 completions, 27 TDs)

-           Running Back Chris Barnes (574 rushing yards, 14 TDs)

-           Linebacker Michael Blocker (69 tackles, 46 solo, 5 sacks, 4 INTs, fumble recovery)

-           Defensive Back Andrew Byrd (36 tackles, 28 solo, 3 INTs)

-           Safety Tre Clarke (46 tackles, 39 solo, 5 INTs, fumble recovery)

-           Defensive Back Deonte Phillips (62 tackles, 44 solo, 2 INTs, sack)

-           Linebacker Juju Stevens (72 tackles, 44 solo, 3 sacks, 2 blocked punts, INT)

-           Lineman Josh Merriweather (61 tackles, 47 solo, 7 sacks)

-           Lineman Nate Stevens (52 tackles, 31 solo, 3 sacks, fumble recovery)

-           Lineman Darius Simpkins (53 tackles, 42 solo, 3 sacks, INT, blocked field goal)

-           Lineman Justus Hammett (12 tackles, 8 solo)

-           Lineman HD Yonce (38 tackles, 22 solo, 7 sacks)

-           Wide Receiver Jay Sewell (523 receiving yards, 6 TDs)

-           Wide Receiver Demarius Tolen (776 receiving yards, 7 TDs)

Congratulations to our STHS All-Region selections and all the Rebels’ coaches and players on an outstanding season.

(Photo: Kyle Dawson/The Aiken Standard)