Julie McCombs
T.J. Donaldson (56) and Alex Waters (72) sandwich a Seneca defender between them. The offensive line has matured into a solid unit.
Julie McCombs
D'Anta Fleming can change the course of a game as a wide receiver, cornerback or special teams player.
Julie McCombs
The Greer student section, for years, has been the Yellow Jackets' 12th man. They are fun, creative and 100 percent supportive.
Julie McCombs
Students brought toys to last week's playoff game to contribute to the Syl Syl Toy Drive. The toy drive will be held Sunday at the Clock Restaurant 2-4 p.m.
Midway into the region schedule Young said the players and coaches appeared to be on the same page. “We’ve played pretty dang good the past couple of months,” Young said. Greer has a 7-game winning streak since its 21-24 loss to Greenville Set. 14.
Friday night Greer will play Union for the second time this season for the mythical “Jacket Bowl” designated since the two teams have been playoff rivals and both nicknames are Yellow Jackets. Greer won the first meeting Sept. 7 in a non-conference matchup, 41-28.
The second round of the 3A state playoffs is 7:30 p.m. at Dooley Field. Tickets, set by the South Carolina High School League, are $7.
“We will focus what Union does now and what we have done versus the past game,” Young said. “Schematically (Union) hasn’t changed a whole lot. The core of what they did earlier is still there.”
Greer appears to be working on nearly all cylinders – offensively and defensively.
The offense is a more cohesive unit with a variety of weapons at quarterback Josh Gentry’s disposal. Quez Nesbitt, junior, running back, has been phenomenal, averaging at 200 yards (199.3) rushing a game since the season opener. And that is with a heavily bandaged hand.
Gentry’s passing has become efficient and accurate and his decision-making, according to Young, makes him a threat running the ball anytime he thinks it’s best. “I can’t say enough how far along Gentry has come. His game decisions have improved where he has, at times, gotten us into a better play at the line of scrimmage.
Gentry has completed half of his pass attempts, 88 for 167 for 1,486 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The irony of having Nesbitt in the backfield is that Greer loses the time of possession statistic – he scores to fast. Nesbitt has had 3 TDs over 90 yards and last week had an 80-yard TD run called back because of a holding penalty. “We watched the film several times and we didn’t see it,” Young said.
Greer, however, is averaging more yards per play than its opponents – 7.7 – 3.9 – and has nearly doubled the yardage per game – 424.2 – 215.3.
D’Anta Fleming has become a game-breaker at wide receiver, punt return and linebacker. Fleming and Emmanuel Kelly each ran back punts over 70 yards, proving to be the difference in Greer’s first-round victory, 28-14, over Seneca last Friday.
Of course the offensive line, led by Alex Waters, a North team all-star selection, methodically provides the offensive spark. Young, a former all-ACC lineman at Clemson, asks much and doesn’t outwardly heap praise on his beloved “fat boys. They played very good Friday night,” he said last week.
Nesbitt and Gentry take care of praising the line. “I’m working behind the best line in the state,” Nesbitt said. “They do a great job providing me protection and opening holes for the backs,” Gentry said.
Quarterback Keiston Smith who passed for 302 yards against Greer in the first game leads Union County’s offense. Kalay Jones, wide receiver, is his favorite target. Smith and Jones hooked up for 144 yards on eight receptions and two touchdowns earlier this year.
Greer’s defense held Union to 76 yards rushing on 36 carries but Smith kept his team in the game with 302 yards passing. “We know they have a good quarterback and some good athletes,” Young said.
Comparatively, Greer had 279 yards rushing and 27 yards passing. Nesbitt did most of the damage with his 178 yards rushing – including a 65-yard scoring run – and 3 touchdowns. Union coach Steve Taneyhill was miffed at the long runs after that game. “One of the things you can’t have is a one-play drive,” Taneyhill said. “We have got to get better after this game.”
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