Julie McCombs
Mario Cusano will start for Greer in the season-opening game at Seneca Friday night. He was highly-sought by young players for autographs during Meet the Jackets night.
Julie McCombs
Dorian Lindsey will play at wide receiver and defensive back this week. Lindsey is needed to fill the void on defense with Malek Johnson sidelined at Seneca.
Julie McCombs
The Greer offensive line is not as big as in years past but is quicker and younger. Head Coach Will Young gathers the line during a scrimmage. Cole Henderson (67), Noah Hannon (60) and Mead Cook (51) are all underclassmen.
Julie McCombs
Nick Roberson was 5 for 5 in point after attempts against Gaffney. He has not missed a PAT this summer. Roberson's 50-yard field goal try was five yards short last week at Woodruff.
Dorian Lindsey, also a sophomore, will start at defensive back for the injured Malek Johnson and will also see action at wide receiver.
Quez Nesbitt, one of the most dominating and quickest running backs in the state, returns for his senior season. Nesbitt broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown against Gaffney on the second play from scrimmage. He had another long score against Mauldin called back because of a penalty and he has produced scores as a wide receiver.
The offensive balance pleases Young. “We had 32 plays with the starters in (against Woodruff) with 17 runs and 15 passes. I don’t know how you can get better balance,” he said.
Mazzie Drummond, former Greer all-state quarterback and Hall of Famer, is the offensive coordinator this season. He and wide receivers coach Erie Williams have designed a more wide open offense using the speed at the skill positions.
Emmanuel Kelly, a senior two-way performer, Tay Woods, DeAndre Moren, Zecharriah Glidden and Lindsey will be the receivers. Kelly has been a weapon on offense during the summer. His athleticism, speed and strength have been overwhelming at times.
The offensive line is young with only tackle Rolland Nall a senior. Cole Henderson (tackle), Mead Cook (junior) and Garrett Poole (guard) are juniors, Jordan Hawthorne (guard) is a sophomore and Noah Hannon (center) is a freshman. Vincent Dellapenna is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
“I’ve enjoyed coaching the line,” said Young. “It’s always a challenge.”
Greer’s line will be lighter than year’s past but it is quick and has excellent speed.
Johnson, senior defensive back, will not dress out for Friday’s game. He suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago against Mauldin in a scrimmage and is expected to return in Week 2.
Zeke Whiteside, junior wide receiver and defensive back, received a concussion making a tackle against Mauldin and has not rejoined the team in practice.
“Mario still has a little work to do with his feet,” Greer Head Coach Will Young said. “He’s very good throwing the ball, he’s not too high and not too low.”
Lindsey was first string throughout the summer in 7-on-7s and scrimmages. When Johnson was injured, Lindsay moved to defensive back.
Cusano played nearly the entire scrimmage against Woodruff last Friday, only to be spelled by Tyler Abercrombie, another sophomore quarterback, for the final two series.
Lindsey and Cusano offer two different styles. Lindsey offers more of a running threat while Cusano’s arm strength is compared to a younger Reese Hannon, (sophomore starting QB at Furman). “At this point he’s as good as Reese was at this point being so young,” Young said.
Nick Roberson, a sophomore, has not missed an extra point all summer and his 50-yard attempt for a field goal at Woodruff last week fell 5 yards short and to the left. “If we would have been five yards closer he would have made it,” Young said. “By his senior year he will be a terrific kicker.”
Roberson struggled last year in distance and accuracy. “He’s never been in a weight room until this year,” Young said.