The teams are traveling in opposite directions with Greer winning three straight after an opening season loss and TR losing two straight after winning its first two games.
Most telling is the each team’s last game against Region II opponents. Greer (3-1 overall, 1-0 Region) beat Greenville 42-13 and Pickens mashed TR 66-15. TR is 2-2, 0-1).
By the numbers it appears another mismatch for TR in the 7:30 game. Greer has won 10 straight in the series (leads 13-2) and beat the Devildogs at Dooley Field 56-17 last year.
Quez Nesbitt appeared to be over his nagging injuries when he ran for 306 yards and scored 5 touchdowns in his most productive outing of the season against Greenville He fumbled for the first time this season. His 800 yards total rushing – Greer has 868 – is on pace to his average last year and he averages 266.3 total yards per game. Nesbitt averages 8.7 yards a carry.
Sophomore quarterback Mario Cusano has had a sterling start to his Greer career, throwing for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. Cusano is a transfer from Connecticut. His father, Peppi, has traveled the 13 hours each Friday to see Cusano play.
Dorian Lindsey is Cusano’s favorite target catching 20 passes for 235 yards. Kelly is next with 16 catches with a 16.2 average.
Nesbitt leads the Yellow Jackets with 72 points scored while sophomore kicker Nate Roberson is second with 22 points and Emanuel Kelly has 18.
One of the most pleasant surprises for Greer is the punting of Jake Arrowood, last week’s coach’s pick for special teams player of the game. He is averaging 37.4 yards on 13 kicks. He has kicked two 45-yarders and last week nailed his longest of the season with a 54-yard punt.
Lindsey earned the coaches defensive player of the game last week with seven tackles and three assists. Ironically, Lindsey was the starting quarterback until defensive back Malek Johnson was injured and was replaced by the sophomore Lindsey.
Tyler Wright had seven tackles and six assists.
Travelers Rest will have Dalton Kelly at quarterback and Xavier Terry and Jacob Crutchfield at running backs. Devario Bruster is TR's top receiver.