(LINCOLNTON) Mekhi Wade and Christian Elam each scored twice to lead Lincoln County to a commanding 45-20 win over the Strom Thurmond Rebels from Edgefield County. The Red Devils improved to 6-0.
Strom Thurmond High came into the game ranked number two in South Carolina's Class AA. This was the highest ranked match-up to occur in Lincolnton in some years, considering the Red Devils are the top-ranked team in Georgia's Class A Division II.
The strong victory completed a sweep of Lincoln County's three South Carolina opponents. The 25-point margin was one more point than North Augusta's win over the Rebels earlier this season.
The start of the game was delayed 30 minutes due to a lightning alert.
Elam bulled for 16 yards to the ST 19 before scoring on a four-yard run midway the first quarter. Fortson Partridge, last week's WJBF player of the week, booted the PAT for a 7-0 lead.
The Rebels came out slinging the pigskin on their first possession, completing passes of three, 16, and 55 yards to quickly reach the LC 9. Jonathan Norman ran the Rebel receiver down from behind to prevent a TD on the longest pass. The Rebel QB scored from eight yards out but the PAT kick went wide right. The home team led 7-6 with 4:14 left in the first quarter.
Wade ran for 11 to midfield before the drive fizzled and Spencer Stewart boomed a 45-yard punt to the ST 17. A sack led to the Rebels punting to the LC 43. The Devils earned two first downs before a personal foul flag killed the drive. Partridge's 52-yard field goal went slightly left.
Strom Thurmond managed one yard and punted 24 yards to its 45. Glaze ran for 18 but a holding flag setup 3rd-&-17 at the LC 40. Wade passed to Norman for 12. Wade then found tight-end Christian Hopkins wide open in the left flat for 30 yards and a touchdown. After the PAT, Big Red led 14-6 with just under four minutes left in the second.
Norman intercepted a Rebel pass and returned the pigskin 16 yards to the ST 22. Wade was supposed to handoff, but he turned a busted play into a beautiful reverse field run to the right for a touchdown. Fans yelled to the coaching staff to add that play to the playbook. With 2:23 remaining in the half, LCHS led the visitors 21-6.
The Devil Defense pushed the Rebels back three yards. The resulting punt netted only 12 yards with Big Red taking over at the ST 34. Partridge booted a 46-yard field goal with three ticks left in the half.
Rather than his usual end zone kickoffs, Partridge made a short kickoff and then recovered at the ST 48. A last second pass fell incomplete, but the play sequence showed how much Lincoln County wanted this game. Big Red led 24-6 at the break.
The Rebels busted a 42-yard run early in the second half that setup an 18-yard score. With 6:45 left, the gap had been cut to 11, 24-13.
The Red Devils stormed back. Twice Wade ran to convert fourth downs. Elam scored on a two-yard run a minute into the fourth quarter. LC was up 31-13 but the highly-ranked team from across the river wasn't done yet.
With passes of 12, 43, 7, and 20 for the touchdown, Strom Thurmond drove and scored with 8:41 to go. Big Red led 31-20.
A delay-of-game flag led to a 40-yard punt by Stewart. From their 18, the Rebels were stopped by the Devils. The all-red team took over on downs at the ST 27 midway the fourth. Wade scored on a one-yard run with 2:51 left. LCHS was up 38-20.
Wade proved he is a factor on defense too as he intercepted a pass at the 22. Nasir Gartrell ran for four and then 18 for a touchdown. Partridge booted the final PAT with 1:12 left for an impressive all-around 45-20 victory.
Wade ran nine times for 80 yards and two TDs. He completed three of eight pass attempts for 42 yards and a TD. Elam carried 12 times for 64 yards and two scores.
Lincoln County is idle this Friday before starting region action at Washington-Wilkes October 10.