Signing day ceremonies this past year were opportunities for Strom Thurmond's football program to show pride in all that its graduating seniors had accomplished over the last two years.
Back-to-back 10-win seasons. Consecutive undefeated Region 3-AA championships. Two trips to the third round of the Class AA playoffs.
It was a big senior class, led by multi-year starters who are no longer with the program. That part highlighted the bittersweetness that comes with signing days.
That's not to say the cupboard is bare at Strom Thurmond - when is it ever? This year's group has its fair share of seasoned returners and future household names whose names will grace these pages over the next two or three seasons.
"There's an expectation at Strom Thurmond," said head coach Andrew Webb. "A lot of their kinfolk played it. The expectation doesn't change just because people graduate and move on. The expectation doesn't change. These younger guys have got to play to a standard, and our expectation at Strom Thurmond is to compete for championships.
"Regardless of how that may look Week 0 or Week 1 or jamboree, we feel confident we know the way it's going to look when we get to October and November. We've got to keep working each day to get better on the practice field, and hopefully the hard work will pay off."
Bri'Shaun Lee is ready to lead the offense as the starting quarterback after playing backup to Quan Edmond last year. He got in some quality reps throughout the season, both when Edmond was unavailable and when the Rebels were up big late and took out starters, and he completed 40 of 59 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns to go with a rushing touchdown.
Cam Blacks returns to lead a committee of backs after rushing for 324 yards on 65 carries, ranking second in the team's loaded backfield, and five touchdowns last season, and the 5-foot-7, 190-pounder brings plenty of physicality to the running back and linebacker positions.
Wide receiver Jay Sewell made teams pay over and over again last year for double-teaming Staley and/or Tolen, emerging as a highlight-reel threat who's ready to take over the top spot. He caught 46 balls for 523 yards and six touchdowns a year ago, and the 6-foot, 173-pounder has proven he can go up over defensive backs to make a catch just as easily as he can out-run them after making one.
Trent Kelly, Tucker Mims and Micah Warren are all returning starters on the offensive line who have played a lot of snaps, and the Rebels hope their leadership will carry the offense a long way.
The Rebels also return some All-Region picks on defense, like defensive end Josh Merriweather. He recorded 61 total tackles with seven sacks last year, and he recently picked up a Division I offer from North Carolina Central University. Outside linebacker Deonte Phillips also returns after a 62-tackle, two-interception season a year ago. Defensive back Kaleb Simpkins made 19 total tackles with an interception, a fumble recovery and a touchdown, and he was the baseball team's walk-off hero in the postseason this past spring.
Strom Thurmond is now in Region 2-AA alongside some traditional rivals like Batesburg-Leesville and Saluda, plus Pelion, Ninety Six and new South Carolina High School League member American Leadership Academy. Saluda is ranked eighth in the preseason media poll, with Batesburg-Leesville and Ninety Six also receiving votes.
Needless to say, it's going to be a loaded region with a title race that should come down to the wire. That's nothing the Rebels aren't used to, and they intend to make sure their name is atop the standings for a third consecutive year.
"October, late September and October, in our region is going to be tough," Webb said. "We're certainly excited about it. You get to go play those teams in October, it should be fun."
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