JOHNSTON, S.C. --- No letdowns.

It's a pretty simple concept, but the implementation is what can prove to be tricky.

That's why Strom Thurmond -- a team that advanced to the Class AAA Lower State semifinals last season -- is taking the move to AA so seriously.

Anything less than total focus could ruin the season before the first snap.

And coach Lee Sawyer isn't about to let that happen. He has spent much of the off-season telling his team about the "helmet" factor.

"It was a point of emphasis for us in the spring, because we told them that if they think all they are going to have to do is just roll the Strom Thurmond helmet out on the field and win games, that's just crazy," he said. "First of all, we're going to be a big target for teams. Teams are going to want to knock us off. Second, I've coached at the AA level, at the AAA level and the AAAA level, and when you get down to the last few teams, there is not that much of a difference between them. They can all play."

Sawyer said the move also makes plenty of geographical sense; the team's longest regular-season road trip will be to Newberry.

The Rebels open the season tonight at home against former region foe Chapin.

It will be the first time a Sawyer-coached team has participated in a "Week 0" game, and the veteran coach has some misgivings about it.

"You just have one less week to prepare for it, and it's just weird, so I am a little concerned," he said.

The nonregion schedule continues with a game at Ridge Spring-Monetta, followed by an off week. The team then plays host to North Augusta before traveling to South Aiken and finishing the nonregion schedule at Silver Bluff.

By the time the Rebels leave Petticoat Junction, S.C., the coaching staff will have a good idea of where the team stands.

The Rebels open region play at home against Mid-Carolina before a crucial two-game swing against Batesburg-Leesville on the road and rival Saluda at home, before playing at Newberry. The team ends the season at home against Gilbert.

Several players return for the Rebels, including ball-hawking linebacker Tra'ves Bush (5-foot-10, 180 pounds); lineman Tristan Bellamy (6-2, 280); All-Area defensive back Champ Merriweather (5-7, 156); linebacker Cord Butler (6-0, 216); and durable running back/linebacker Maurice Brown (5-9, 180).

The most noticeable change occurs under center.

Former standout quarterback and The Augusta Chronicle's 2007 South Carolina All-Area Player of the Year, Aramis Hillary, is a South Carolina Gamecock now, and senior Javon Brown (5-11, 160) steps into the spotlight to lead the Rebels.

Sawyer says Brown is going to be an exciting player to watch.

"Javon is looking fine," he said. "We're going to be running a little more and sprinting out like we used to do with Coco (Hillary) so (Brown) can use his feet. He's making steady progress and is a good, calm leader. He can make things happen."

Sawyer, now in his 25th year of coaching, said the Rebels have the ingredients to make 2008 a special season but that it's the players who will have to decide how far they want to go.

"There are enough players coming back that we can have a good season," he said. "What it takes to get to that next level is those players have to pull the others along."