7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK:
Greer started slow but scored quickly to beat Union County 41-28 for the mythical Jacket Bowl for the second straight year. Quez Nesbitt scored 3 touchdowns, running for 180 yards. Defensively, John Hicks had a monumental game with 18 tackles, 10 assists, 5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. Emmanuel Kelly found his way into the end zone on a four-yard run as Greer emptied a little more of its playbook.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
“We enjoy winning. I thought we did a really good job against Union. We actually didn’t enjoy the Riverside game. We were up 47 points and everybody was unhappy on the sidelines and the players weren’t working together. We looked more decisive against Union than we were.”
Will Young, Greer Head Football Coach
THE RUNDOWN:
These two teams don’t like each other. That’s why the Greer Police Department is dispatching school resource officers and other police personnel to monitor Greer’s sideline and the players’ entry on and off the field. Recently, Greenville has done its utmost to manufacture added interest in the rivalry.
Greenville coaches, several years ago, allegedly charged Greer in violation of the no contact rule prohibiting using hand pads during the conditioning phase of summer practice. Initially Greer was suspended from competing in the playoffs. Head Coach Will Young, Athletic Director Travis Perry and Principal Marion Waters made their case in Columbia with the use of TV footage and the team was exonerated. The 2010 Greer 7 on 7 summer passing scrimmage saw coaches from both teams chomping at each other. This past summer the passing scrimmage was halted when both teams got into a free-for-all. So bad did Greer want to add the 60th point in a 59-14 win last year, that the Yellow Jackets’ regular kicker was benched after he missed two previous extra points.
Blue Ridge (3-0) at Eastside (1-2)
Kickoff 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK:
Blue Ridge rolled up more than 550 yards in total offense and the Tigers proved they can score from anywhere on the field in a 59-35 victory over visiting Chapman. Tigers’ RB Mikal Robinson and QB Ty Montgomery both turned in 100-yard rushing performances against the Panthers. Eastside found itself down 30-7 at halftime and struggled to a 49-7 loss against Class 4A opponent Wade Hampton.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Everybody’s undefeated now. That’s all that matters now – region play. We know we’ll get a tough contest (from Eastside). Our guys will have to be ready to play and prepare hard all week long. They know that.”
Blue Ridge Head Coach Wade Cooper.
“Being a rebuilding program, it’s not yet in our mentality to come back from (first-half adversity). We’re teaching a lot from the neck up.”
Eastside Head Coach Jeff Thomason on last week’s loss at Wade Hampton.
THE RUNDOWN
The Region II-3A schedule gets started this week and is the debut of the newly created conference based primarily in Greenville County. Eastside and Blue Ridge will renew their rivalry from the old Peach Blossom 3A conference.
Riverside (1-2) at Hillcrest (1-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK
Riverside snapped a 12-game losing streak that dated back to a 2011 season-opening win against Eastside this past Friday night. The Warriors held on to stop Woodmont, 27-21. After taking an early 6-3 lead at Dorman, Hillcrest gave up 47 unanswered points en route to a 50-6 loss.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Our offense did what it needed to do and our defense held on for the last nine minutes. We didn’t let them score.”
Riverside Head Coach Steve Eoute on the final minutes of last week’s win over Woodmont.
THE RUNDOWN
Riverside is playing its second straight Region I-4A opponent with Region II-4A play still a week away. After a thrilling 44-42 win over Mauldin in the season opener, Hillcrest has lost two straight. The Warriors are hoping to build on last week’s win over Woodmont, but must take to the road and win in Simpsonville. The Rams won last year’s meeting with Riverside 33-0 and lead the series 2-0.