Swansea, S.C., August 30, 2025
Swansea, S.C. – Rebels Struggle in Season Opener Against Tigers
Well, folks, it looks like the Mid-Carolina Rebels had a tough start to their 2025 football season as they faced off against the Swansea Tigers on the evening of August 21st. The game was moved to Thursday ahead of predicted bad weather on Friday, but unfortunately for the Rebels, things didn’t go according to plan.
Game Overview
The final score settled at 49-7 in favor of the home team, the Tigers, who kicked off their season with a bang, boasting an impressive performance from start to finish. Even though the Rebels have shown potential in past matchups, they couldn’t quite get it together this time around.
First Quarter Fumble
Both teams started with a bit of sluggishness, but it was the Tigers who found their rhythm first. They capped off a touchdown drive late in the first quarter, sending some energy through the home crowd. It didn’t take long for the Tigers to find the end zone again; they made it look easy as they scored another touchdown in the opening moments of the second quarter.
Rebels Finally Respond
For a glimmer of hope, the Rebels finally responded with a scoring drive about nine minutes into the second quarter. However, this enthusiasm was short-lived as the Tigers quickly regained control of the game.
Defensive Setbacks
One of the most memorable moments of the night came when Dante Caldwell, the senior running back for Swansea, dashed away for a stunning 75-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately for the Rebels, things were about to get worse. Junior quarterback Davis Ruff had a rough night, throwing a pick-six that pushed the Tigers’ lead to 28-7.
Half-Time: A Dismal Outlook
The confusion didn’t stop there. Swansea continued their offensive onslaught with another lengthy scoring drive that concluded with Caldwell notching his second rushing touchdown of the night. As if things couldn’t get worse for Mid-Carolina, Swansea added two more touchdowns before halftime, taking a commanding 49-7 lead into the locker room.
Struggles for the Rebels
The Rebels’ struggles were evident throughout the game. Ruff, who had swooped in late last season to take over as quarterback after Ty Floyd suffered an ankle injury, was clearly faced with a steeper learning curve than expected. The offensive line and rushing attack faltered, adding to the Rebels’ frustrations.
What’s Next?
The second half faced a brief delay due to lightning, but it was clear that the downtime wasn’t going to spark a revival for the Rebels. Head coach Chris Arnoult expressed his concerns after the game, noting, “I felt we were a little behind coming into this game due to a late scrimmage game being canceled and not being able to participate in our Jamboree game last week. It showed tonight. I’m still hopeful for the season, but we’ve got to be careful about how we move forward.”
Now, the Rebels have no time to dwell on this loss. They’ll need to shift their focus quickly as they gear up for the upcoming rivalry showdown against the Newberry Bulldogs, set for Friday, August 29th, at 7:30 p.m. The team will be looking to bounce back strong and regain their momentum.
If you’re a fan of local football, you won’t want to miss that matchup!
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
The NEWBERRY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewberry.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Newberry, Newberry County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Newberry Opera House performances, Newberry Arts Fest, and the Newberry County Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and the Newberry Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and agriculture that power the local economy such as Amick Farms and Newberry Mills. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
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