Jim Fair
Greer Principal Marion Waters is greeted by Head Coach Will Young. Waters made his first appearance at a Greer football game since he had double bypass heart surgery on Oct. 5.
Jim Fair
Keith Rumsey (center) and Leland Burch were among friends welcoming Marion Waters back to Dooley Field.
Jim Fair
Walt Brannon, grandfather of Greer linebacker John Hicks, peruses the "Yellow Jackets Magazine" all sports program. Hicks, a senior, was featured in this week's magazine.
Jim Fair
These seats were marked for Marion Waters and his wife. Waters traditionally sits in a folding chair by the field house.
Waters had double heart bypass surgery on Oct. 6 and has been recuperating at home. Waters was greeted by head football coach Will Young before the game and others who had been long-time supporters.
He begins rehab next week at the Greenville Hospital Life Center. “I’m feeling stronger each day,” Waters said.
HALL OF FAME: Cole Sims (Class of 2005), Allen Mills (Class of 2003), Chad Lister (Class of 2003) and Steve Kennette (Class of 1969) were inducted into the Greer Hall of Fame Class 2012.
RING OF HONOR: Ralph Voyles (Class of 1953) was inducted into the Ring of Honor.
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER: The crowd was standing room only and shoulder-to-shoulder along both sideline fences at kickoff.
EXTRA SECURITY: Additional Greer Police Department security was present in both stands with plainclothes police attending as fans. They were to call into command posts if they spotted trouble.
MEMORIES: Leland Burch, former editor of the weekly newspaper, recalled two crowds that matched tonight’s turnout from the 2003 season. “Both Union and Greenville played overtime games that year and it was a crowd as big as tonight’s. This is a great crowd,” Burch said. “Union use to get here at 3 o’clock for games.” Gates opened at 5:30 this evening and Blue Ridge’s stands were full except for the section reserved for the band.
CAMOUFLOUGE VS. RED: Greer students wore camouflage and Blue Ridge sported bright red T-shirts and sweatshirts.
CAPTAINS: Greer’s captains were John Hicks (linebacker), Alex Waters offensive lineman), D’Anta Fleming (wide receiver) and Chase Blackwell (offensive lineman). Blue Ridge captains were Corey Dogan (defensive back), Jonathan Bull (running back), Stephen Turner (linebacker) and Michael Williams (offensive lineman).
DEFERRED: Greer won the coin flip and deferred to take the kickoff to begin the second half.
BACK IN ACTION: Tay Jenkins (wide receiver/defensive back) of Blue Ridge, sidelined last week with an ankle injury, was back in action and returned the opening kickoff. Connor Merrell, sidelined several weeks with a knee injury, returned at starting center.
BIG BAND SOUNDS: Upper State 3A Champion Blue Ridge and runnerup Greer Yellow Jackets will perform their competitive programs after tonight's game. They will compete at the state championships Saturday night at Batesville-Leesville.