It’s Spirit Rag night with the Parents Teachers Students Association distributing them free to students attending the game at each entry gate. Admission, set by the SCHSL, is $7.
Last week’s win over Blue Ridge showcased an offense that had its star running back surrounded by role players who are skilled in making Greer’s offense dynamic. And they all were factors in Greer winning decisively.
Since Seneca’s 46-45 overtime win over the Yellow Jackets in the season opener, Greer Head Coach Will Young has been honing his skill players’ talents for a run in the playoffs.
Blue Ridge saw some of that diversity last week that complements Nesbitt’s 2,021-yard season running the ball and his 29 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Josh Gentry has developed into a solid quarterback who is a threat to run or pass. His decision-making and game management has been superior during the stretch run when Greer dismantled teams in its path to a share of the Region II-3A championship and No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
“Josh is playing well and he’s making good decisions. I can’t say enough good about how he has done this year,” Young said. Gentry, statistically, has passed for 1,398 yards and 13 TDs, completing 84 passes of 153 attempted. Has been intercepted six times.
“We are a lot better than we were in the first game,” Young said. “We used a good part of our (offensive) package against Blue Ridge, some out of necessity.
“The fat boys (offensive line) are playing well,” Young said. Alex Waters, selected to play in the North-South game, anchors the offensive line with Roland Nall joining him at left guard. Center Conner Merrill, injured in the latter part of the season, was back at center last week and TJ Donaldson (guard) and Cole Henderson (tackle) man the right side.
Nesbitt’s strength is to get him past the first line of defense and let him do his mesmerizing “now you see me, now you don’t” running. “I have watched a lot of football and played a lot, but I have never seen any back go through the line sideways and take off,” Merrell said.
Nesbitt began the season with a 216 yards rushing, five touchdown performance against Seneca. He also had 76 passing yards.
There are other weapons on offense who are go-to players if Nesbitt gets bottled up. Brook Chapman, used mostly at defensive end, has been brought into the game to use his power and speed to bull his way for yardage. Chapman only touched the ball 29 times but gained 270 yards and scored four touchdowns. “We give Brook touches in every practice,” Young said.
Jarrett Szabo plays H-back and Emmanuel Kelly, with defensive linemen Ty Campbell and Tim Ballenger leading the way, has been used in short yardage situations to muscle for some yardage.
Wide receivers, D’Anta Fleming, Emmanuel Kelly and DeAndre Moren provide speedy targets for Gentry. Fleming, a senior, during the second half of the season has dominated his position. Kelly leads the receives with 35 catches for 448 yards and four TDs followed by Fleming with 20 catches, 403 yards and 5 TDs. Tay Woods, with only six catches for 134 yards owns the best yards-per-catch average with 22.3 yards.
Young has spent countless practices trying to rid his team of harmful penalties. “We are probably the most penalized team in the state,” Young said. “We have had way too many false starts.”
Tentative Starting Lineups
GREER
Offense
3 D’Anta Fleming, wide receiver
6 Emmanuel Kelly, wide receiver
17 DeAndre Moren, wide receiver
72 Alex Waters, left tackle
75 Roland Nall, left guard
55 Conner Merrell, center
56 TJ Donaldson, right guard
67 Cole Henderson, right tackle
11 Josh Gentry, quarterback
20 Quez Nesbitt, running back
43 Tyler Wright, fullback/H back
Defense
2 Malek Johnson, cornerback
3 D’Anta Fleming, cornerback
17 DeAndre Moren, safety
13 Jackson Tipton, safety
9 John Hicks, linebacker
7 Tay Woods, linebacker
28 Tedrick Gregory, linebacker
25 Brook Chapman, defensive line
66 Tim Ballenger, defensive line
69 Ty Campbell, defensive tackle
35 Raymond Booker, defensive tackle
Special teams
80 Punter Josh Cooke
4 Nick Roberson, FG/PAT
43 Tyler Wright, long snapper
SENECA
Offense
71 Miller Cunningham, left tackle
56 Allen Williams, left guard
55 Chaz Henry, center
70 Zack Darst, right guard
74 Josh Latimer, right tackle
21 Adam Beitz, tight end
14 Spencer Brothers, quarterback
15 Marquis Arnold, running back
17 Dorrian Raines, wide receiver
13 Nakia Burke-Littles, wide receiver
10 Stan Smith, wide receiver
Defense
89 Dakari Morris, end
75 Antuan Martin, tackle
50 Vari Benson, tackle
43 Jonah Cleveland, end
42 Pierre Davis, inside linebacker
23 Craig Weston, inside linebacker
26 Malik Harbin, outside linebacker
38 Tiavon Cowans, outside linebacker
12 Marquis Hunter, free safety
5 TJ Smith, cornerback
27 Darrius Webb, cornerback
Special Teams
34 Angelo Menin, K/P