Mark Tucker
Greer's Emmanuel Kelly (6) had his way with his teammates during Monday's spring game at Dooley Field. Kelly scored 4 rushing touchdowns, passed for a 70-yard TD and scored on an interception return.
Mark Tucker
Brook Chapman scooted along the sideline with his teammates trailing as he scored on a TD on this 48-yard run in the first quarter.
Mark Tucker
D'Anta Fleming is all alone in the end zone after Emmanuel Kelly found him wide open for a 70-yard scoring play.
Mark Tucker
Greer Head Coach Will Young goes over the rules with the players before the start of the scrimmage.
Kelly, a rising junior, was involved in six touchdowns – four on runs, a long pass play to D’Anta Fleming and a long return after intercepting a Jonathan Adkins pass.
Kelly also made another interception, a one-handed grab. When Kelly was asked how he made the high acrobatic catch he said matter of factly. “I couldn’t get my other hand on the ball.”
That is more likely how defenders felt against Kelly – they couldn’t get a hand on him to slow the powerful, speedy athlete.
Josh Gentry did not make a convincing argument for him to be the heir apparent to the graduating Reese Hannon. The only touchdown Gentry’s team could muster was courtesy of a Brook Chapman 48-yard run in the first quarter. The offense was ineffective after that drive.
Greer split its roster with a draft trying to make the teams as equal as possible considering many players contribute both ways. The teams spent spring training alternating offense and defense days to work at least one full unit together.
The over 400 spectators attending the spring game were treated to a rare athletic show. After Chapman’s score with 11:44 left in the first quarter this is what Kelly did:
• Scored on a 20-yard run slanting to the right and outraced the secondary to the end zone with 4:42 left in the first quarter.
• Scored on a 35-yard run down the left sideline with 2:30 left in the first quarter.
• Scored on a 65-yard run with 12:38 left in the third quarter when he shook loose from defenders after being trapped off tackle.
• Scored on a 33-yard run with 7:28 left in the third quarter.
• Lofted a pass over the defense as a wide open D’Anta Fleming caught it on the run for a 70-yard scoring play. “I knew that play was going to be a touchdown,” Kelly said.
• His final touchdown followed an interception of quarterback Jonathan Adkins in the fourth quarter.
Greer Head Coach Will Young would only say, “I will continue to re-evaluate the quarterbacks,” after the scrimmage. “We must put the ball in Kelly’s hands.”
Jay Abercrombie, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, smiled when asked about Kelly. “I don’t know anything he can’t do. When the lights come on he’s a gamer.”
Kelly was reserved answering questions. “I feel like I can do anything when my line blocks. The game appears slow when I’m playing.”
Mazzie Drummond salivates with the idea Kelly will be playing in the secondary. “He has the heart, toughness and he loves the game,” Drummond said. “He reminds me of the old Greer High School football players.”