News and Updates

Orangeburg, SC — The mission is complete. The Standard that is Strom Thurmond High School Rebels football has been met, and moved just a little bit higher.

The Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) Rebels (13-2) are the 2025 Class 2-A State Champions following a dominating 26-7 victory over the Hampton County High School Hurricanes (11-4).

Once again, the team's seniors led the way, this time all the way to the school's first football state championship since 2005.

"This group of seniors is so special," stated STHS Head Coach Andrew Webb. "We met back in the spring and set a goal to go undefeated at home, to win the conference, win the Upper State championship, and we set a goal to finish number one and we did it. I cannot give this group of seniors enough credit. I love 'em. They love each other and they love playing Rebels football."

Offensively, running back Deonte "Diesel" Phillips motored through the Hurricanes' defense on the ground for 149 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Bri'Shaun Lee completed 5 of his 7 passes through the air good for 126 yards and another two scores. Wideout Kaleb Simpkins caught three balls for 107 yards and a touchdown, with Shaheed "Sha" Williams hauling in the other touchdown pass on a diving catch in the end zone.

Coach Webb credited the team's offensive line for taking over the football game and controlling the line of scrimmage.

"That was the key to us winning," commented Coach Webb. "The boys up front have been so good to us and have gotten better and better. Coach (Riley) Addis has done such a great job with those guys and they were outstanding again tonight."

Defensively, Sha Williams was all over Willie Jeffries Field at SCSU's Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium, with 14 total tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception and a huge hit on a crucial fourth down play that stuffed any thoughts Hampton County may have had of climbing back into the football game.

"That's a really good football team with the number one offense in (Class) 2-A that came in averaging 46 points a game and the Blue Steel defense held them to seven," stated Coach Webb. "What an outstanding job by our defensive coaches and players. They played to the standard of the people who came before them and I'm really proud of them."

Jalin Collins added two more interceptions when the Hurricanes went to the air in the second half. Bryston Coleman and Kaden Wigfall each had 9 tackles and Grady Stone had 6 stops. Grayson Smith and Wytravious Dugar had 5 tackles apiece.

The lone score for Hampton County came just before halftime after a long kickoff return deep into Thurmond territory when quarterback Tarell Grant found receiver Desmond Mathis for a 16-yard score on the only completed pass of the game for the Hurricanes.

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CONGRATULATIONS REBELS!

TABBY TRAPP WINS REGION 2-AA TITLE WITH CALLEN TRAPP AS REGION 2-AA RUNNER-UP; ENTIRE STHS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM POSTS PERSONAL RECORDS AT REGION MEET

Johnston, SC – Strom Thurmond High School’s (STHS) cross country teams posted record times throughout the roster during its 2025 season, with the sister tandem of freshman Tabby Trapp and junior Callen Trapp leading the Rebels as Region 2-AA standouts and state qualifiers. Tabby earned Class AA All-State honors with her top ten finish in a time of 19:53 over the 5 kilometer or 3.1 mile course at the South Carolina High School League Cross Country Championships held in Aiken on Nov. 14-15. Meanwhile, Callen finished 23rd overall at the state meet with a time of 20:58.

STHS Cross County Head Coach Emily Kayes says coaching the Rebels this season has been a terrific experience, as each team member, including the entire Lady Rebels and Rebels teams, posted a personal record time at the Region 2-AA meet.

“This has been a great group to work with,” stated Coach Kayes. “We had some this season who ran last year, some who came out for the very first time, and some who came back after a break from last year. They've all been putting in a lot of work, and they've all bettered their times from last year by minutes, which is amazing. They've all done a great job.”

Tabby swept medalist honors throughout the season, while Callen Trapp remained on her heels in every event, and with their consistent performances, they now have the full attention of the South Carolina high school cross country scene.

At the Region 2-AA championship meet, held at Pelion High School in less than ideal weather conditions with wind and cold temperatures, Tabby and Callen still burned up the course in finishing first and second, respectively. As a team, the Lady Rebels also finished in third place in the region.

“They've been a great group of kids,” Coach Kayes added. “They've done everything we've asked of them, and they've seen the improvements themselves with the work they've been putting in and the programs that we've had them run.”

Coach Kayes was joined this season by assistant coach Conal Smith. Strom Thurmond High School cross country team members included Jessica Cooper, Areli Guevara, Emilee Majerus, Callen Trapp and Tabby Trapp; Travis Abney, Jayden Augustin, Dasean Grace, Dylan Tomkinson, Liam Smith, Evan Williams, and Isaiah Cunningham.

Congratulations to our STHS Cross Country Rebels on an outstanding season!

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC — As bedlam’s high tide finally threatened to recede into the cold, starry night, and the tingling chaos of the game’s final two minutes had at last dissipated into the numb realization of what thousands had just witnessed, a new pantheon of Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) gridiron heroes still walked upon their hard-won field of glory.

Kaleb Simpkins, who deflected a fourth-down pass in the end zone and caught a 48-yard pass over two defenders to spark the game-winning touchdown drive. Deonte Phillips, whose iron will scored the game’s first touchdown and refused to allow his team to lose. Bri’Shaun Lee, whose toughness kept drives alive and the clock running. Zy Rouse, his speed and power an unmatched advantage off the bench. Grady Stone, a defensive dynamo with nine tackles and a tackle for loss. Justus Daly, his 28-yard field goal (the first of the entire season) pumped life back into the team heading into halftime.

On a night when every single Rebel was needed somehow, they all showed up. Every last one of them.  

The game’s fury had dissolved to a single play. With no time left on the fourth quarter clock, the Fairfield Central Griffins had scored, but still needed three yards to tie the game. The “Blue Steel” defense only allowed them to have two.

“We never stopped playing defense,” STHS Head Coach Andrew Webb said of the huge stop as the stadium’s speakers announced the Rebels as the 2025 Class AA Upper State Champions. “The boys got in there and were physical. Unbelievable.”

“There’s no quit these boys,” he added. “They’re going to fight. They play to the standard of pride, class, courage, and the will to win. They play for all the people that's come before us, that make Strom Thurmond special.”

IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION: This year’s championship game will be played at South Carolina State University’s Oliver C Dawson Stadium (300 College Avenue, Orangeburg, SC 29117) this Saturday, December 6, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $22 (parking is an additional $10 per vehicle) and a portion of proceeds from purchases made online through Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. at the following link will benefit Strom Thurmond High School.

STHS REBELS TICKET LINK: https://gofan.co/p/BDE6CD1A837A761664750481E03012D6.

PLEASE NOTE: STHS is the designated “home” team, and all Rebels fans should enter the stadium through Gate 1. Stadium gates will open at 11:00 a.m. and everyone must have a ticket – except a toddler or infant who can sit in a lap. Expect long lines, traffic delays, and make plans now to arrive EARLY to avoid missing portions of the ballgame as the Class AAAA game will be played prior to the Rebels game with Hampton County.

The No. 1 Rebels improve to 12-2 overall on the season with the hard-fought win over the Griffins (10-4) and now face the Lower State Champion Hampton County Hurricanes (11-3), who advanced to the Class AA title game with a 42-22 victory on Friday in Hampton over the Pageland Central Eagles (11-2).

Following Friday’s game, Coach Webb recounted some of the many heroics he saw in the Rebels 15-13 victory that propels them into the Class AA state title game for the first time since 2005 when the Rebels last won the state title.

The jump pass the Griffins attempted on fourth down inside the Rebels 10 was not something the team had seen on film or prepared for.

“We hadn’t seen it (on film) and that's just a ball player making a play,” Coach Webb said of his standout senior and North-South All-Star selection at cornerback and receiver. “Playmakers make plays. The third down catch he had early in the fourth quarter to get us out of our own end zone was humongous. Players make plays and we’re blessed to have some good ones.” 


Senior running back, linebacker, North-South All-Star and team leader Deonte Phillips eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards on the season (1,079) in the game with 84 yards and a touchdown, including a 37-yard scamper on his first carry.

“The offensive line was great,” stated Coach Webb. “They battled. That’s a good football team and we had to work for that. Deonte is the heart of our team. His personality is infectious and his competitive spirit is awesome. We’re proud of him.” 


Kicker Justus Daly picked a great time for his first field goal when he nailed a 28-yarder as time expired in the first half. 


“That's the first field goal we've attempted all year,” commented Coach Webb. “We practiced it (Thursday), right there in that same spot. Where do you like it? I like it right here, coach. It worked out good and we needed it.” 


Senior quarterback Bri’Shaun Lee also earned praise from his head coach. Over the last several weeks he’s been called upon to produce some very tough, difficult yards in crucial moments and like so many other Rebels, he has delivered.

“We didn't run him much throughout the year, you know, but this is November, so we've turned him loose, and he did a great job with his feet again tonight,” stated Coach Webb.

When he was asked about the continued importance of the coaches and players from Strom Thurmond High’s 2005 state championship team, who were honored at halftime earlier this season, Coach Webb again expressed his gratitude.

“I told those 2005 players these boys have a shot to win the state championship because of our seniors and the pride they have in playing Rebel football,” Coach Webb commented. “We do our best to make the people that came before us proud, because they are the ones that have made Strom Thurmond football so special.”

“It's hard to put it into words,” Coach Webb said of playing football in December. “These guys deserve it. These coaches deserve it. And we're going to go to work on Monday. These guys set a goal, fought for it, worked for it, and it took every second of this game to earn it.”


Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC – The Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) Rebels are not the only Edgefield County School District (ECSD) representatives who are competing for a state title this weekend. Following regional wins in recent weeks, the Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton (J-E-T) Middle School and Merriwether Middle School mock trial teams also advanced to the state finals.

The S.C. Bar Association’s Middle School Mock Trial State Championships will be held this weekend (Dec. 5^th and Dec. 6^th) in Lexington, SC, at Lexington County Summary Court and the Lexington Town Hall Courtroom for Friday rounds, and the Marc H. Westbrook Judicial Center on Saturday.

According to the S.C Bar Association, a mock trial is a pretend trial and may involve either civil or criminal issues, just like a real trial. In a mock trial, the students present the case and act as the main characters in the courtroom. The purpose of the mock trial is to learn more about courtroom procedures and the people and rights involved with the legal system. It also teaches how to evaluate both sides of an issue and resolve conflicts in a nonviolent manner.

In recent middle school mock trial seasons, both the J-E-T Middle Eagles and Merriwether Middle Mustangs being frequent visitors to the state finals. The Eagles were the 2022 S.C. Middle School Mock Trial State Champions and finished second in 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, even as a relatively new program in just its third season of competition, the Mustangs have shown tremendous growth in advancing to the state finals in two of the last three seasons.

The J-E-T Middle Eagles are led by Attorney Coach Blair Massey, Teacher Coach Ruth Bledsoe, and Lead Teacher Coach Dr. Patricia Moseley. Team members include Izzy Cain, Nathan Carter, Rebecca Childs, Emalyn Cockrell, Izel Rene Griffin Restrepo, Ruthie Hammond, Luke Hatfield, Naomi Herlong, Colbie Hodson, Josh Holmes, Truman Massey, Gillian O’Gorman, Lindy O’Sullivan, and Landon Wilson.

The Merriwether Middle Mustangs are led by Coach Denise Jackson, and Teacher Coach Jennifer Butler. Team members include Jasmine Bizzle, Caroline Booker, Charlee Carter, Noah Melick, Marilyn-Rose Crispin, Kirk Jackson, Lynlee Tyler, and Daniel Williamson.

Congratulations to our teams from J-E-T Middle School and Merriwether Middle School and good luck this weekend.

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.

Johnston, SC – The Edgefield County School District (ECSD) is continuing its new regular feature, “Three Questions With …” in which our community is introduced to interesting voices within our school district.

Our newest interview guest, Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) senior Ella Mathis Miller, has graced the Strom Thurmond Theatre (STT) stage for years in such starring roles as “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast, “Mary Poppins” in Mary Poppins, “Anna” in Frozen, and most recently as Elle Woods in the theatre’s production of Legally Blonde, and many more.

She likes to spend her free time outside of attending school, playing sports, and performing in theatre watching college football (mostly cheering on her beloved Clemson Tigers), spending time with friends, running and working out, and watching television.

In our interview, she talks about her active schedule at STHS, the importance of her faith, and her dream role on Broadway. Ella says she plans to attend Clemson University in the fall of 2026.

Here are our “Three Questions With …” Strom Thurmond Theatre performer, Ella Mathis Miller.

ECSD: You’ve participated in a lot of activities at STHS. How have these experiences helped you?

ELLA MATHIS MILLER: During my time at Strom Thurmond High School I have been involved in junior varsity and varsity cheer, varsity soccer, tennis, FCA leadership, and theatre. All of these things have helped shape who I am as a person and given me confidence. I am so thankful for all of the friendships made through each of those activities.

ECSD: Let’s talk about the impact FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) continues to have at Strom Thurmond High School. Why is it important to you to have an organization like FCA at STHS, and for you to be able to share your faith with others?

ELLA MATHIS MILLER: Just in the past year, our FCA has grown tremendously. It has been such a blessing to see so many people come to know Jesus and feel the love of Christ. My faith defines who I am as a person and I find my worth in my savior, Jesus! Not only FCA on Wednesday mornings but also camps in the spring and summer have shaped my walk with the Lord so much. When I leave, I hope our FCA continues to grow, and more students will be saved. It is not by our work and what we have done to grow the FCA, it is only by what God is doing in the hearts of students and leaders to grow our FCA! I pray that people only know me by my love for Jesus and desire to advance His kingdom. “Let your light shine before others so they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

ECSD: If you could perform with any musical on Broadway. What musical are you picking, and why?

ELLA MATHIS MILLER: Although it is not currently on Broadway, a dream role of mine is Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. When I was three years old, I saw this show at a community theater and told my mom, ‘I want to do what Dorothy is doing.’ That started my love of theatre from a young age, and I have always dreamed of being in that role. If I had to choose a show that is currently on Broadway, I would choose ‘Newsies’. I would love to play the role of Katherine Plumber. I have been in this show previously and it turned out to be one of my favorite shows I have ever done. Katherine is a young journalist during the New York Newsboys strike. She has a sense of humor but is also very strong willed.

BONUS QUESTION: Who is one of the most influential teachers you’ve had the opportunity to learn from at STHS?

ELLA MATHIS MILLER: Coach T (FCA Faculty Sponsor, STHS Football Assistant Coach, and Weightlifting Teacher, Michael Temple). I would just like to thank him for the impact he has had on my life, my brother’s life, and so many students at Strom Thurmond by showing the love of Christ. He is a true example of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I cannot thank him enough.

Contact the ECSD Public Information Office (PIO) by email at ecsdpio@edgefieldcountyschools.org.