Mark Tucker
Greer's football fans are recognized as one of the best high schools that travel to support their team. Greer appeared to have a larger fan base than Riverside in last week's 63-14 victory.
Greer and Union hook up in the annual “Jacket Bowl” at Union County Stadium at 7 p.m.
Steve Taneyhill, former University of South Carolina quarterback, has taken over the head coaching duties at Union County and has brought back some of its old-school arrogance that once defined the tough-minded Union football teams. Union is 1-1, losing to Gaffney last week in the final three seconds and beating Spartanburg in the season-opener.
The Quez Nesbitt Express has been barreling through defenses virtually each game raising his standards. In two games Nesbitt has:
• scored 11 touchdowns: 5 in Week 1, 6 in Week 2.
• rushed for 530 yards, 265 average: 216 in Week 1, 314 in Week 2.
• has two 90-plus rushing TDs: 91 in Week 1, 94 in Week 2.
• his 536 yards rushing averages to 17.7 yards a carry.
• added 3 yards to his longest run from scrimmage – 94 yards – last week against Riverside.
“Quez has such great body balance and vision,” Greer Head Coach Will Young said. He’s a great competitor and totally, absolutely refuses to lose. We’re trying to teach Quez that he’s not going to score every time he runs the ball. We want him to realize that there’s nothing wrong making three-yards some time.”
Young said he’s pleased that Nesbitt is humble and gives credit to the offensive line during interviews. “I’ve seen a lot of running backs, and some have been undersized. “What is so impressive about Quez is that he knows where everybody is on that field and what their job is supposed to be.”
Greer’s offensive line has size on the left side with Alex Waters, 6-5 250, and Roland Nall, 6-6, 265, blasting holes for Nesbitt to get up to full speed quickly and bust through the second line of defense to sail into the end zones.
Nesbitt was the Upstate daily media’s choice for player of the week. One newspaper had a full-page photo of Nesbitt honoring him.
Greer’s pass offense was stale last week. Gentry had two passes picked off where his receivers were open deep – once overthrowing one and under throwing another. So frustrated was one receiver he walked off the field while the play continued.
“Gentry started out well,” Young said. “Quarterbacks coach Jay Abercrombie) tried working on his throwing and working on his feet. You can only get better with practice. He still has done a good job and manages the game well.”
Emmanuel Kelly, who’s grandmother passed away last week, will play. He leads the team in receptions with nine with Nesbitt and Tay Woods five each.
Young said Union’s defense will be a challenge for his offensive line. “Their (Union) skilled kids don’t play both ways,” Young said. “Their defensive line will be a challenge for us. They have three defensive tackles that are very good.”
Young said he didn’t watch last year’s film of the game, a 57-13 rout of Union County. “That game was an anomaly. It was over in the second quarter. We don’t expect that this week.
“I think we will complete. Whenever we show up we compete. Union has played some good teams (Gaffney and Spartanburg).”
