Julie McCombs
Greer's defense is allowing 14 points per game to Emerald’s 23.7 average.
Greer is ranked third in the South Carolina high school sports writers poll.
The Yellow Jackets, 3-0, are coming off an intense, 35-28 win over Union County in the annual "Jacket Bowl”. The Vikings enter at 2-1 after a loss to Abbeville.
"We understand it's the region but it's just the next ballgame and the one that's most important on the schedule right now," Greer Head Coach Will Young said. "We're working hard to get better and hopefully we'll be ready on Friday night."
Emerald features a run-heavy offense and has a host of talented playmakers on offense. The running back/quarterback duo of Willie Reynolds and Meldrecous Jones, respectively, has put up big numbers on the ground.
Reynolds has rushed for 362 yards and four scores and Jones has 235 yards and one touchdown.
Jones has completed 18 of 33 passes for 225 yards and wide receiver K.J. Chamberlain has 145 yards in receptions and two touchdowns.
Chamberlain picked off three passes in last year's game with the Yellow Jackets.
"Chamberlain is a heck of an athlete," Young said. "He had three interceptions against us last year in the first quarter so hopefully we'll know who he is and try not to throw it to him this year."
Greer continues to get big-time performances from its senior leaders. Troy Pride had the game-winning touchdown catch against Union County last week with just over a minute to play.
Pride had 150 receiving yards on three catches. Adrian McGee ran for 91 yards and has 354 yards and four touchdowns this season. Quarterback Mario Cusano leads Greer.
Greer is averaging 41.3 points (124) a game and Emerald is averaging 19.0 (57). Defensively, Greer is allowing 14.0 points per game defensively to Emerald’s 23.7 average.
"We want to make sure we're better this Friday than we were last Friday," Young said. "Hopefully that will continue throughout the season. This team has some pretty big goals in mind, and when you have those, you better be progressing every week."
Want to go:
Greer vs. Emerald
Where: Dooley Field
When: Friday
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $6