"Our kids are playing really well. They have a lot of confidence right now. They feel pretty good about themselves, hopefully not too good."
Will Youing
Greer Head Football Coach
Young expressed his pride in a senior class that has come of age and is making a run to win the Region II-AAA championship and a goal to go deep in the playoffs, starting Nov. 8.
Greer (5-0 region, 7-1 overall) plays Southside Friday at Dooley Field at 7:30.
“It’s a big night for us,” Young said. “It’s Senior Night. We’ll recognize some of the really special players we’ve had at Greer and we’re thankful for all they have done.” Quez Nesbitt, Malek Johnson, Emanuel Kelly, Ty Campbell and Rolland Nall are among the 15 seniors (list below) playing their last regular season home game.
Pregame activities include the Greer Recreation Department’s players sharing the field with the varsity on Youth Night. “We will have a couple of hundred future Yellow Jackets on the field with us in pre-game. We’ll introduce all of them,” Young said.
“A lot is going on,” Young said. “But our kids are playing well. They are doing a great job right now. I’m really proud of them.”
What Young liked best was the physicality his team showed in overpowering Pickens last week to knock the Blue Flame unceremoniously out of a tie for first place in the region. A Blue Ridge win over Pickens Friday and a Greer win will give the Yellow Jackets the title outright with one game remaining – next Friday at Blue Ridge.
“I thought the best thing we did (last) Friday night was we showed up and were more physical than they were. I thought our guys played hard and really, really tough. And for a guy like me, that is a pretty big deal.
“Our kids are playing really well. They have a lot of confidence right now. They feel pretty good about themselves, hopefully not too good. They are doing a good job at practice and showing up for work,” Young said.
Young said Southside is a much-improved team. “They are doing a good job and have some really good looking kids. The have some good looking defensive linemen. They have a (player) that looks like he’s 6-4, 260 pounds, a beautiful kid,” Young said describing the imposing player.
“They have some really good looking athletes. The quarterback (sophomore Jawan Prince) is (head coach) Julias Prince’s son,” Young said. He is a really good player and might be a little banged up (since playing) against Blue Ridge.
“They are fighting for a playoff spot so they will be coming ready to play.”
Young didn’t forget recognizing his coaches. “I’m really proud of our coaches. I think our coaches are some of the best in the state and are really doing a great job. What they do on a week in and week out basis . . . I couldn’t be more pleased with having a great group of men around like I have.”
Football seniors
Raymond Booker
Cole Brannon
Ty Campbell
Malek Johnson
Emanuel Kelly
Kameron Laue
Marquis Lyles
Taghai Mack
Rolland Nall
Quez Nesbitt
Jake Purvis
Louis Richardson
Jalen Stokes
Bradley Styles
Tay Woods