Julie McCombs
Seeing Cedric Sullivan (25), senior linebacker, coming at ball carriers can't be a joyous occasion for opponents.
Julie McCombs
Tiquan Lyles (7) senior lineman drives home a point when he tracks down runners.
Julie McCombs
Tyler Wright (43), senior linebacker, and Troy Pride (5), junior defensive back, make a Yellow Jacket sandwich on this tackle.
Julie McCombs
Tyquan Lyles (7) and Hakeem Hoke (9), senior lineman, kind of makes an offense wonder what they are scheming on defense.
• Homecoming/game gallery
The Greer Yellow Jackets returned home for the first time since late August, running their record to 5-0 last Friday at the midway point of the season.
The 56-6 homecoming victory over visiting Travelers Rest, which included three touchdown runs from junior Adrian McGee and two scores from Dorian Lindsey, showcased the ever-evolving offense and stingy defense that has landed Greer in its usual place atop the Peach Blossom Region-3A standings with conference wins over Emerald and Travelers Rest.
“We're happy with where we're at. Who wouldn't be?" said Greer Head Coach Will Young. "Three weeks on the road for three weeks without a home game. It's challenging -- every year it is -- but our kids responded well and played well.
"They ignore the scoreboard and play hard regardless of what the score is – up or down. I'm really proud of them right now."
Through five games, the Yellow Jackets, ranked No. 6 in the state Class 3A poll, have given up 62 points (12.4 points per game), but that number is somewhat misleading give that all 13 of Emerald's points were scored by its defense after Greer turnovers.
In the second half, defensive coordinator Travis Perry's unit seems to sense blood in the water, allowing only 15 points over the final two quarters, but six of those points are credited to Emerald's defense as well.
Travelers Rest eluded a shutout after a 59-yard run by Xavier Terry set up the Devil Dogs' only score in the third quarter Friday night, but the game had long been settled.
"I hate we gave up a score," Perry said. "We were working hard to get the goose egg there, but we gave up the big run there. They did some good things tonight, and we did some things we've got to improve on, too."
But Perry also said his defense's approach to each game will make that improvement possible.
"In all the groups we've had in 20 years, this is probably the most coachable group that I've had," Prerry said. "They absorb everything you say. They make coaching fun, and they make coaching easy." Perry's reference includes the 2003 state championship team where he was head coach.
Against Travelers Rest, the defense added a score of its own on Jackson Tipton's second-half interception return after keeping the Devil Dogs bottled up for most of the game.
But that effort paled in comparison to the dominance Greer's defensive unit displayed against Emerald. The Yellow Jackets allowed just 16 yards of total offense and three first downs against the Vikings.
"I haven't ever seen anything like last week – 16 yards of total offense in a game -- in my whole life, I don't think," Young said. "You can't really name the star over there. They're all just really good players, and they play real physical football, which is fun to watch."
Senior linebacker Tyler Wright said the defense, which is an Oklahoma 50 in its base but morphs into a variety of fronts and looks to help keep opponents off balance, is also fun to play.
"We love it," Wright said. "Coach Perry loves to blitz us and we love going."
With familiar region foes such as Berea, Eastside, Chapman, Southside and Blue Ridge remaining on Greer's schedule, senior defensive lineman Tiquan Lyles said the Yellow Jackets' defense must continue to play well if Greer is to vie for a conference title.
"Defense wins championships, and that's what we're trying to do," Lyles said. "We just play hard, like we're coached. We practice hard, and we transfer it to the game."
Senior linebacker Cedric Sullivan said the key will be continued improvement over the remaining region games.
"We've just got to come out and play better and better each week," Sullivan said. "We've got to keep practicing hard."
Perry said the players' focus on each week's game will also be the key to a fourth straight region title and another deep run into the playoffs.
"This group is mature enough, and we stress to them not to look ahead because that's when anybody in high school football, college football or the NFL can be beat on any given night," he said. "I think they take pride in not looking ahead and only taking care of the next week. If they do that, then week (11) and (12) and (13) will take care of itself.
Wright said he believes this year's defense can help keep the Yellow Jackets atop the region standings.
"I'm confident in our players and what we've got to bring to the table," he said.
Greer plays at Eastside Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Yellow Jackets return home Oct. 10 vs. Berea, Oct. 17 vs. Chapman, play at Southside on Oct. 24 and hosts rival Blue Ridge at Dooley Field on Oct. 31 in the regular season finale.