Julie McCombs
Quez Nesbitt is averaging 10.6 yards a carry that has resulted in 2,482-yards and 30 touchdowns. He missed one game due to injury.
Imagine watching Greer’s Quez Nesbitt streaking down the field, gaining yardage at every dizzying step he takes. Now add Daniel’s Jae’lon Oglesby shrugging off tacklers and marching steadily down the field.
Friday’s third round playoff game at Dooley Field is one of the more anticipated playoff matchups – unbeaten Daniel (12-0) versus Greer (10-2) with the winner advancing to the Upstate Class AAA championship Dec. 29.
Nesbitt, a North-South All-Star selection, averages 10.6 yards a carry – 2,482 yards on 233 carries. Oglesby, named to the South Carolina Shrine Bowl team and committed to play at Clemson, has a 9.9-yard per carry pace – 1,588 yards on 160 carries. Nesbitt has scored 30 rushing touchdowns and Oglesby has 17.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. with the forecast variably cloudy and warmer with temperatures at 60 degrees at kickoff. Tickets are $7 each.
Added flavor is that Greer Head Coach Will Young graduated Daniel and was a standout lineman. Daniel won the 1991 state championship in Young’s senior season.
“There’s not a better place anywhere to play a football game on Friday night than Dooley Field,” Young said. “We get to play the best team in the state and that is all I am worried about.” Daniel is ranked No. 1 in some 3A polls.
Statistically, both teams have high-powered offenses. Mario Cusano, a sophomore transfer from Connecticut, has started every game at quarterback for the Yellow Jackets. He has completed 120 of 202 pass attempts (54.5 percent) for 1,751 yards and 19 touchdowns. His duo of wide receivers – Emanuel Kelly and Dorian Lindsey are deep threats at any moment. Kelly has 39 catches for 594 yards and 7 TDs – five rushing. Lindsey’s 39 receptions have resulted in 497 yards and 3 TDs.
Andy McCall, Daniel quarterback, has 79 completions on 128 pass attempts (61.7 percent) for 1,394 yards and 19 TDs.
Jared Dillingham has carried for 109 times for 642 yards for the Daniel Lions, a predominately running team, has Noah Preisch (22 catches, 463 yards) and Charles Colbert has 18 catches for 278 yards.
This is the furthest a Young-coached Greer team has played into the playoffs. He is 6-7 in playoffs in nine seasons.
“They are a pretty good team. They have nine seniors on defense and as many on offense. That kid (Oglesby) has done many good things, too.”
Daniel has four seniors headed to all-star games after the season. Joining Oglesby on the Shrine Bowl team is linebacker Solomon Brown. Two defensive players will be playing for the North All-Stars in the North-South game – defensive lineman Tyrell Fleming (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) and linebacker Michael Peppers (6-1, 230).
Greer’s offensive line appears to be peaking, after having played a poor game against Blue Ridge, according to Young. “Since (Blue Ridge) they have played very, very good. I think our offensive line did a heck of a job (last week in a second round win over Westwood).”
Nick Roberson’s 37-yard field goal with 2.7 second left gave Greer the win. “Nick has worked hard. We’re real proud of him. He missed one on that side of the field against Blue Ridge. He’s just got to work on letting the clock run down to zero,” Young said laughing.