This week’s primetime college football matchup on Thursday night featured two former area high school standouts on the same team. In this clash of Southeastern Conference foes, Lake Brantley alum Patrick DiMarco (Class of 2007) and Timber Creek alum Lem Jeanpierre (Class of 2005) helped host South Carolina upset No. 4 Ole Miss, 16-10.

DiMarco (6-0, 243), a junior fullback with the Gamecocks, caught what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter while Jeanpierre (6-4, 294), a redshirt senior who was expected to battle for a spot at offensive guard, started at center for South Carolina.

The 2-yard score by DiMarco with 6:57 to go in the third quarter came on a pass in the flats as South Carolina led 9-3. He got into the end zone by diving overtop the attempted tackle of a defender for what was the first passing touchdown against Ole Miss this season. DiMarco also caught a pass over the middle for six yards in the first quarter to get his team into the red zone. After making the catch at the line of scrimmage the extra yardage was set up by a big downfield block by Jeanpierre. But the Gamecocks would eventually turn the ball over. Late in the second quarter DiMarco caught a pass in the flats for 15 yards that again set South Carolina up in the red zone. This time they settled for a field goal before halftime. To round out the night, DiMarco had one carry for one yard, gave up a sack after trying to make a block, and had a pass thrown in his direction for an incompletion while being covered by Ole Miss defenders.

Jeanpierre also allowed a sack in the first quarter after having his helmet ripped off by a Rebel defender. He was also called for holding inside the final minute of the second quarter with South Carolina two yards away from scoring.

More on DiMarco –

Patrick DiMarco

Coached by George Clayton while playing high school football in Altamonte Springs, DiMarco lined up as a blocking fullback and defensive end as a Patriot. As a senior he was in on 125 tackles (29 for loss) and 17 sacks while scoring eight touchdowns for a squad that went 14-2 and finished as state runners-up in Class 6A. The first-team all-state selection was considered a two-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. As a returning starter and one of four team captains in 2009 for South Carolina he is considered a “tough, smart player” who is an excellent blocker and great leader.

As a freshman, DiMarco was mostly a special teams contributor through 12 games though he did catch four passes for 32 out of the backfield. His first career touchdown in college came on a seven-yard reception from Chris Smelley in a win over Kentucky. Last year as a sophomore he made five starts and played in 13 games, carrying the ball one time for three yards against Vanderbilt and catching five passes for 45 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown catch against Clemson. For his efforts in that rivalry game he was given the Ernest A. Brooks Memorial Award (MVP of Carolina/Clemson game).

More on Jeanpierre –

Lem Jeanpierre

Coached by Jimmy Buckridge in high school, he earned Class 6A first-team all-state honors and was regarded as the 44th-best defensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com. He has since lined up on the offensive side of the ball at South Carolina for a unit that’s finished last in rushing the past two seasons in the SEC. He now looks to be back at full strength after a right knee injury sidelined him for the stretch run of the 2008 campaign. He’s entered the year with 11 career starts to his credit.

Jeanpierre began his career at South Carolina on the defensive line where in 2006 he played in 13 games, including his lone start in the Liberty Bowl against Houston. In that game he had five tackles and a forced fumble in the win. For the year he finished with 17 tackles (11 solo). Six of those, including two sacks, came in the backfield. Before moving over onto the offensive line the following season he combined for 2.5 sacks against Florida Atlantic, Auburn and Tennessee. In 2007 he would go on to make five starts at the right guard position, then start five games at guard in 2008 before being injured.