Julie McCombs
Alex Waters (72) helps the path for Quez Nesbitt (20) as the junior running back gets a running start for another big yardage plays.
Julie McCombs
Greer quarterback Josh Gentry nears the goalline but came up a several yards short on this play. He would later score a TD on a 7-yard run.
Julie McCombs
Linebacker John Hicks has his eyes set on where the Pickens ballcarrier is head, because that's where Hicks is headed, too.
D'Anta Fleming hauls in a pass from Josh Gentry in the corner of the end zone for a touchedown.
Quez Nesbitt reeled off 87- and 73-yard touchdown runs, Josh Gentry had his best game this season directing Greer’s high-energy offense and the most popular girl in school, Chelsea Jones, was crowned Homecoming Queen. And Greer beat Pickens, 42-20.
By the numbers, Nesbitt chalked up 268-yard rushing with his two touchdowns. Gentry completed 15 of 21 passes attempted for 239 yards and his 3 TD passes plus his one rushing score. And D’Anta Fleming caught six passes for 130-yards including his TD reception.
Greer’s win kept it on pace to a final regular season game showdown with rival Blue Ridge that could determine the Peach Blossom Conference 3A championship and home field advantage in the playoffs. Greer is 4-1 in the conference and 6-2 overall.
Gentry directed the Greer Yellow Jackets as the field general Greer coaches projected he would become during summer practices.
Gentry scored on a 7-yard run in the first quarter to go with Nesbitt’ 87-yard sprint for a 14-0 Greer lead. The senior quarterback threw touchdown passes to Tay Woods covering 35 yards, and to D’Anta Fleming, 26 yards, in the second quarter to build a 28-0 halftime lead. Gentry’s third TD pass was 8 yards to Emmanuel Kelly in the fourth quarter.
Greer Head Coach Will Young has been working his skill players more into the offense. “Gentry did a great job,” Young said. “He could always run the ball. He knew he was going to have different receivers out there. He’s got the ability to deliver the ball.”
“My job is to get the ball to them and let them make the play,” Gentry said. “But I’ve got to give my offensive line all the credit in the world. They’re the best in the state.”
Nesbitt’s mentality is to be tougher than his opponents. “I don’t want anybody to tackle me,” Nesbitt said. “The first (touchdown) run motivated me for the game. The second touchdown I was concentrating on making people miss me.”
Young said Nesbitt’s second touchdown run (77-yards) was a key play. Pickens scored its first touchdown to draw within 28-7 with 7:45 remaining in the third quarter. “We were backed up a little bit and that that run was big,” Young said. The teams traded touchdowns the rest of the way.
Woods has also become more involved in the offense. He has played virtually every position but interior line this season. “Josh said for me to run and he would get it to me. I thought I might run out of room,” Woods said. He caught the ball in the corner of the end zone with room to spare.
Woods, a junior, said Pickens was a good measuring stick for the Yellow Jackets. “It was a big game for us. We knew we could either go up or down.”
John Hicks, who has gathered the most G’s for his outstanding play this season, said it was the kind of game he liked. “This game was smash mouth football. That’s the kind of football Greer likes to play,” Hicks said.
Greer plays at Southside next week and its final home game is against conference leader and rival Blue Ridge at Dooley Field on Oct. 26. “I think we’re peaking,” Hicks said. “I thought the defense played a good game in the first half but we gave up some plays in the second half.”
TONIGHT’S CAPTAINS: Tay Woods, Alex Waters, D’Anta Fleming, John Hicks.
CASTING: Quez Nesbitt wore a cast on his right hand for the second straight week. He fumbled once tonight but said the cast was not a problem holding onto the ball or protecting it.
PROGRAMS SOLD OUT: Yellow Jackets Magazine, Greer’s football and all sports magazine sold out for the first time this season. Orders are being taken online at greertoday.com/store. A second printing will accommodate those who were not able to purchase one or more at the stadium.
GAME SUMMARY
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
TOTAL |
PICKENS |
0 |
0 |
14 |
6 |
20 |
GREER |
14 |
14 |
7 |
7 |
42 |
FIRST QUARTER
Greer: 7:47. Quez Nesbitt 87 run (Nick Roberson kick). 7-0.
Greer: 4:02. Josh Gentry 7 yards. (Roberson kick). 14-0.
SECOND QUARTER
Greer: 11:53. Tay Woods 35 pass from Gentry. (Roberson kick). 21-0.
Greer. 7:11. D’Anta Fleming 26 pass from Gentry. (Roberson kick). 28-0.
THIRD QUARTER
Pickens: 7:45. Justin Blythe 9 run. (Caleb Grant kick). 28-7.
Greer: 7:14. Nesbitt 73 run (Roberson kick). 35-7.
Pickens: 1:11. Mason Covey 7 run (Grant kick). 35-14.
FOURTH QUARTER
Greer. 9:56. Emmanuel Kelly 8 pass from Gentry. (Roberson kick). 42-14.
Pickens. 7:23. Covey 17 run (Grant kick blocked). 42-20.