Julie McCombs
When Quez Nesbitt begins to lean his body and eyes running room ahead, it usually means a big chuck of yardage is ahead.
Julie McCombs
Quez Nesbitt is off to the races once he spots some daylight created by his offensive line.
Jim Fair
As a senior, Quez made his final visit to the Clock restaurant during Camp Swarm in August. He noticeably is sitting next to a lineman.
Jim Fair
Red Watson, left, is the official scorer for the Greer High School football team and the Yellow Jackets Sports Network. Watson said of Quez Nesbitt: "I've seen a lot of backs come through Greer High School. Quez has a great chance to become the all-time leading rusher ... and that's really saying something ... considering all of the talent that has worn Vegas gold and black."
While the discussion was short-lived on Nesbitt's total rushing yardage Friday night, Young was asked to reflect on the value of the his star player.
Red Watson, the official scorer for Greer and a member of the Yellow Jackets Sports Network (YJSN), had Nesbitt netting 290 yards on 19 carries, after accounting for several plays with loss of yardage. With nine minutes remaining in the game Friday, the YJSN announced Nesbitt had reached 308 yards, reaching 300 for the second week in a row.
“If you don’t count the losses, he probably had over 300,” Young said Sunday after reviewing video of Friday’s game. “During the first year Red did the stats he was pretty close. He was spot on the first year he went to the (electronic) system when we went over the yards on film so we now count on him. He does a good job and that’s one less thing we have to do.”
Coaches traditionally have reviewed film or digital video after the games to chart the players statistically.
Watson uses DakStats software by Daktronics, a firm that also produces integrated systems from digital stadium scoreboards to airport video displays. Watson provides the YJSN with up to date statistics during the broadcast.
Nesbitt, through only five games this season, has 1,090 total net yards on 111 carries averaging 9.89 yards a carry. He increased his season average per carry one yard following the Travelers Rest game.
Young is asked every week and at every game about Nesbitt who has so many highlight runs and moves over the past four years it would produce virtually a full-run film. “Sometimes he’s just beyond coachable,” Young said of Nesbitt’s ability to snake through the smallest hole and outrun the fastest backs.
Watson when asked his opinion on Nesbitt and where he fit in Greer's storied history of running backs said: “I've seen a lot of backs come through Greer High School. Quez has a great chance to become to all-time leading rusher ... and that's really saying something ... considering all of the talent that has worn Vegas gold and black.
“In my opinion, the one thing that has allowed Quez to possibly become the all-time leading rusher at Greer High School is his patience as a running back. At the high school level, it's difficult to teach a kid to be patient and wait on his hole to open. Quez has incredible patience when running the ball.
“In addition, he has excellent field awareness, he catches passes well, and doesn't turn the ball over a lot. Those are the things that separates him from the other running backs, and maybe Quez has developed these gifts because he doesn't have the size to break tackles and run over defenders like others have?"
This season Nesbitt has gained considerable yardage between the tackles. “He’s definitely more willing to stick it in there by himself and get the yardage by himself.”
Nesbitt’s 84-yard touchdown run in the Travelers Rest game is his longest of the season. He has 16 total touchdowns – including 1 on a pass reception, 1 on punt return – for 96 total points.
He has caught five passes for 102 yards, a 20.4 yard per catch average.
“Quez is one of those special people,” Young said. “We never had a big back other than Dakari Sitton (6-0, 195-pounds his senior season). Quez (5-7, 150-pounds) is dedicated and his drive is ridiculous.”
That was no more evident than two weeks ago in the Greenville game when Nesbitt was nipped on the heels by a diving defender. Nesbitt stumbled and maintained enough strength and balance to keep his knee inches from turf, righted himself and scooted in the final 15 yards for another dramatic touchdown.
“Quez is probably the most complete back I have seen at Greer High School, even if he is lacking size!" said Watson.