Sports Coverage 2017

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SPORTS EDITOR: DARREN REESE

THE GREENEVILLE SUN

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MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

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The Greeneville Sun

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Monday, March 6, 2017

CLASS A STATE SECTIONAL | South Greene 94, Meigs County 48

BACK TO DEFEND Lady Rebels Blitz Meigs County To Earn Record 29th Trip To State

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene players (l-r) Morgan Williams, Kinsley Wykle, Taylor Lamb and Lyndsey Cutshaw celebrate following Saturday’s state sectional win over Meigs County.

Lamb, Wykle And Co. Leave No Doubt

BY WAYNE PHILLIPS

SOUTH GREENE QUOTABLES

SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS

COACH STEPHEN GREGG

The last time Meigs County came to South Greene for Sectional play two years ago, the Lady Rebels bolted out to a big first half lead before the Tigers came clawing back to make a game out of it, eventually losing by only five points.

The Lady Rebels were not about to let o the gas this time, turning a 20-point lead into a 30-plus advantage before the third quarter was over.

South Greene earned its third straight trip to Murfreesboro and the Class A State Tournament with a resounding 94-48 romp over Meigs County before a packed house in the Rebel Gymnasium Saturday night.

Now the Rebels can look toward Thursday’s quarterfinal encounter with Pickett County with hopes of laying claim to their second straight state title and the sixth in school history. The two

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

SEE NO DOUBT, PAGE 3B

South Greene’s T.K. Franklin (right) tries to steal the ball from Kaylie Moore of Meigs County during Saturday’s state sectional game on Rebel Hill.

“This is what you play for all year. Watching the community out here enjoying this win with us, watching the girls cut down our nets … I’m just really proud of our ball team.”

SENIOR LYNDSEY CUTSHAW “This is the way I wanted to go out as a senior, with one more trip to state, and I can’t think of any better way to finish my career. I definitely think we are coming together and playing our best ball of the season. It’s really fun to be a part of it.”

JUNIOR TAYLOR LAMB

No Denying The Rebel Magic On This Night

BY DARREN REESE,

“Tonight felt amazing. The atmosphere was amazing.

Having all of the students and fans out here behind us and supporting us tonight was awesome, and the way we played as a team – I don’t think it could have went any better.”

SOPHOMORE BRAELYN WYKLE “We are going down to Murfreesboro with one goal, and that is to repeat as state champions.”

SUN SPORTS EDITOR Rebel Magic. That’s what they called it.

First senior Lyndsey Cutshaw mentioned it. Then sophomore Braelyn Wykle. Then head coach Stephen Gregg.

It didn’t stop there, though.

Approaching midnight Saturday, I was browsing social media and came across a comment directed at me. It was from former South Greene player Javan (Wilhoit) Tillery.

“Rebel magic. It’s a real thing!”

Whatever it was, the South Greene girls certainly had it in their Class A state sectional game Saturday as they hung 94 points on the state’s seventh-ranked team, Meigs County, in a 94-48 demolishing.

Not having been in Greene County during the previous hey-day of Lady Rebels’ basketball in the late 1980s and early 90s, I was curious about this secret weapon they called Rebel Magic and so I pressed each of them to explain it.

And though each of them said that it was something that couldn’t be explained, they gave it their best attempt.

“It’s hard to describe, but I know it’s an amazing feeling,” said Cutshaw, the lone senior on the team this season. “It’s really indescribable unless you are out there on the court.”

“All I know is I love my teammates and South Greene players Morgan Williams (left) and Braelyn Wykle share a hug in the final minutes of Saturday’s state sectional win over Meigs County.

SEE MAGIC, PAGE 4B

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene junior Taylor Lamb tallied 24 points and 14 rebounds Saturday to lead the Lady Rebels to a 94-48 win over Meigs County and on to the state tournament.

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Monday, March 6, 2017

The Greeneville Sun

Page 3B

Greeneville Falls One Win Short Of Trip To State

BY TATE RUSSELL SUN SPORTS WRITER GATLINBURG — The first state tournament berth for the Greeneville girls’ basketball program since 2010 was just out of reach Saturday night, but head coach Annette Watts feels like the experience gained bodes well for the Lady Devils’ future.

Greeneville went on the road for a Class AA state sectional contest and faced a Gatlinburg-Pittman team that had defeated the Lady Devils’ by 30 earlier in the season. This time around, Greeneville fought back multiple times but the Lady Highlanders were able to earn a 67-56 victory and their first-ever trip to state.

“The last time we were on this floor we got beat by 30. Tonight we battled from the beginning to the end,” Watts said. “We played as hard as we could play, and I am so proud of this team.”

“I knew as young as we were coming into the year, we would need time to grow up. We grew up. We now know the path to get to this game. It’s a process to learn how to get through the district, the region and to win this one to get to Murfreesboro. I think they now understand what it takes.”

The Lady Highlander got o to a fast start on Saturday and had Greeneville reeling from the tip. Gatlinburg-Pittman scored the first seven points of the game, and after back-to-back three-pointers from Qua Hines the home team led 13-4 before the Lady Devils had even made a field goal.

Gatlinburg-Pittman’s cushion reached 20-9 with 3:40 left in the opening period before Greeneville was able to regroup and get back in the contest.

“We weren’t able to respond against Grainger (in the Region

SUN PHOTO BY TATE RUSSELL

Greeneville’s Brylee Jones (12), Sydni Lollar (4) and Kenzie Ellenburg (3) walk off the court as Gatlinburg-Pittman celebrates its Class AA State Sectional win on Saturday.

1-AA Championship). When we got hit in the mouth we sat down,” Watts said. “Tonight we got hit in the mouth early and we got back up and went after it. I think that says a lot about these girls.”

Brylee Jones shifted the momentum with a tough, step-back triple from the left wing before Sydni Lollar powered through contact on a layup from an inbounds play then knocked down a trey from straight away.

Lollar finished the night with 22 points while Jones added 21.

“Sydni has done it all year for us, but with Brylee, I could tell on the ride over on the bus that she was ready to compete. She gave it all she had tonight,” Watts said.

Ashlyn White closed the quar-

ter with a third-chance put back to get Greeneville within two points at 21-19.

In the second quarter, the Lady Highlanders turned up the defensive intensity and Greeneville struggled to get into a rhythm o ensively.

After three buckets around the basket by Ivy Bales and two three-pointers by Rylie Patterson, Gatlinburg-Pittman jumped in front 35-22 with 3:03 remaining in the half.

Greeneville managed just two field goals in the period and trailed 38-26 by halftime.

“They just got up under us and were not letting us have any good moves o of the dribble,” Watts said. “They were bowling over our screens, and if the o cials

are going to let it be physical we have to learn to be more physical.

When you’re playing six sophomores, that is tough. Their bodies are not like juniors and seniors yet.”

Patterson led Gatlinburg with 27 points on the night, while Bales tossed in 14.

Led by eight points from Jones, Greeneville kept pace with the Lady Highlanders in the third quarter and went to the final segment trailing 50-40.

Patterson scored eight points in the third period as well, including a transition layup after a steal by Hines in the opening seconds of the half.

Greeneville fought back in the final period when Jones and Lollar hit big three-pointers. Kenzie

NO DOUBT FROM PAGE 2B

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene sophomore Braelyn Wykle takes her turn at cutting down the net following the Lady Rebels’ win over Meigs County in a state sectional game Saturday.

teams met in quarterfinal play last year at state with South Greene winning a thriller.

This will be the 29th state tournament berth for the Rebels, more than any other school in the state. They were tied with Bradley Central for the record of tourney appearances, but Bradley lost in their Sectional round Saturday and will not be in Murfreesboro.

“This is what you play for all year,” a smiling Coach Stephen Gregg said as he looked around, wiping the wetness from his face after taking the traditional dousing with the water bucket as the final horn sounded.

“Watching the community out here enjoying this win with us, watching the girls cut down our nets … I’m just really proud of our ball team.”

Junior post Taylor Lamb and sophomore point guard Braelyn Wykle were the catalysts behind a team that played almost errorless ball. Each had a double-double. Lamb had 23 points and 13 rebounds; Wykle had 23 points and a whopping 11 assists.

“Those two,” Gregg said, “well, what can you say. Braelyn got us o to a great start with 14 in the first quarter. Taylor then took over the game in the second quarter with 13 points and she just dominated the boards.”

Gregg is able to go eight deep and seldom misses a beat, and this night was no exception.

Lyndsey Cutshaw, the team’s only senior, along with sophomore T.K. Franklin and junior Morgan Williams started, but juniors Kinsley Wykle and Katilynn Franklin along with sophomore Ashlyn Reaves contributed mightily when they arrived to spell others.

“We just played well,” Gregg smiled. “The girls did everything we asked of them.

I watched them (Meigs) play Oneida in the Region 2 championship and came away thinking that maybe Meigs was the best team (Oneida won the game, but lost to Region 1 foe Hampton on Saturday night). They had a good point guard (Kassidy Kenny) who impressed me, and that No. 3 (Macie Boggess) is a pure shooter. But we didn’t give them a lot of good looks.”

The di erence was South Greene’s pressure defense that Meigs just could not handle.

Backed by the boisterous home throng, the Rebs bolted out to a 25-8 first quarter lead as Wykle missed her first shot only to hit five straight, including two 3-pointers. Then Lamb got loose in the paint and led an

Ellenburg then came up with an o ensive rebound that she sent to Leah Fillers, who drained a jumper from the short corner to get the Lady Devils within six points at 56-50 with 2:50 remaining.

Down the stretch Gatlinburg-Pittman was able to maneuver through Greeneville’s press and get some quick transition points to pull away.

Greeneville 19 7 14 16 56 Gatlinburg-Pittman 21 17 12 17 67 Greeneville: Lollar 22, Jones 21, White 4, Ellenburg 4, Fillers 3, Davis 2 Gatlinburg-Pittman: Patterson 27, I Bales 14, Hines 9, Miller 5, L Bales 4, Moore 3, Smith 2, Henry 2, Powers 1.

11-0 surge in the second frame that pulled the Rebs from a 2712 lead to a 38-12 advantage.

Meigs went on a 10-3 run over the final 3:33 of the half to close the deficit down to 20 at 44-24 at the buzzer, giving the visitors a glimpse of hope.

For those that remember two years ago when the Tigers roared back in the second half to make a close game out of a rout, it brought on some skeptical thoughts, including for Coach Gregg.

“Don’t think we didn’t tell them about that at halftime,” he said. “We didn’t want to let o the gas. We came out to start the second half with intensity and built on that lead, and it was good to see.”

The Rebels made 13-of-17 field goals in the third canto, scored 29 points, and had the game well in hand by a 73-38 margin at the third period horn.

Much of the final quarter was played with a running clock according to the TSSAA “mercy rule.”

“We knew this would be a large mountain to climb,” Meigs County Coach Justin Powell said, “and it was. They are a year older (than when they won the state tournament), a year better. They play with heart. They have a great point guard, a great post, and the rest of them just bust their bottoms to fill their roles.

“I feel good about winning 26 games this year because I thought going in we might get 15 or so with all the youth we were playing. But we won our district, and we came within a hair of getting to play this game at home. We wanted to be more deliberate, but with the pressure they put on you, that’s hard to do. They made us play way too fast.”

In addition to the 23 points each by Wykle and Lamb, Morgan Williams scored 12 and Hailey Howlett tallied 11. The Rebels will go to state with a record of 32-4. The three teams the Rebs lost to this year (Morristown West twice, Oak Ridge and Gatlinburg-Pittman) will also all be in the state tournament, West and Oak Ridge in Class AAA and G-P in Class AA. Alyson Crowder led Meigs County (26-8) with 12 points while Boggess had nine.

MEIGS COUNTY (48): Boggess 9, Moore 3, Kenny 6, Alyson Crowder 12, Meadows 6, Crager 8, Bales 4.

SOUTH GREENE (94): Braelyn Wykle 23, Cutshaw 3, Morgan Williams 12, Taylor Lamb 23, T.K. Franklin 6, K.Wykle 5, Reaves 5, K.Franklin 6, Hailey Howlett 11, Collins 0.

Score by quarters: Meigs County 8 16 14 10—48 South Greene 25 19 29 21—94

Page 4B

The Greeneville Sun

www.greenevillesun.com

Monday, March 6, 2017

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

Rebel Hill was rocking Saturday night as a standing room only crowd cheered on the South Greene girls’ basketball team to a 94-48 rout of visiting Meigs County in the Class A state sectional round.

MAGIC FROM PAGE 2B

I’m going to lay it all on the line for them, that’s what Rebel Magic is to me.”

Junior Morgan Williams agreed with Cutshaw – Rebel Magic is as much a bond as a feeling.

“Rebel Magic to me is a very special feeling that I get when we are playing as a team and knowing that we are all there to achieve that one important goal,” Williams said. “When one of us is down, we know that there is someone there that has our back and will pick us up.”

“The bond that our team shares between one another is very inseparable and that is something that no one can take from us.”

For head coach Stephen Gregg, his idea of Rebel Magic has to do with teams rising to the occasion when the lights shine the brightest.

There is no question the ladies on Rebel Hill know how to do that as well as anybody in the state. Saturday’s win earned South Greene its 29th trip to the girls’ state tournament, which is a state record regardless of classification.

The Lady Rebels are the defending Class A state champions, have been ranked No. 1 in the state for the majority of the season, and will head to Murfreesboro this week in search of the program’s sixth gold ball.

“Teams in the past, they’ve always found a way to amp up and play with the little extra that it takes in the big games,” Gregg said. “That’s what they call the Rebel Magic, and these girls certainly found that tonight.”

So the idea of Rebel Magic isn’t something new to the current regime. In fact,

after talking with Tamara (Renner) Wykle – who was a member of South Greene’s 1991 and 1992 state championship teams and is the mother of current Lady Rebels Braelyn and Kinsley Wykle – it goes all the way back to the early days of former coach Larry Ricker.

Ricker led South Greene to four state titles, three state runner-up finishes and 648 victories during his 22 seasons at the helm. The elder Wykle remembers him always speaking about the Rebel Magic.

She described it in this way: “From the time the uniform is put on, focus just seems to be at its best...never giving up, setting goals and exceeding them, practicing and spending a great deal of time on your game, getting better and working on your weaknesses. Each player brings their special quality to the forefront for their team. A special bond forms with our teammates and we become a family.

All this takes a season to happen, and at just the right time that team peaks and comes together at that special moment called tournament time. This seems to be when the Rebel Magic begins to take place and special things happen.

It’s a tradition that keeps coming out and seems to be passed on.”

Wykle added, “It’s a tradition that can’t be taught or bought.”

As an observer, it wasn’t hard to feel the Rebel Magic Saturday night. With a standing-room only crowd, a rowdy student section, and a gym decorated with two or three dozen posters hand made by the cheerleaders, the atmosphere was certainly at its best.

And the big show didn’t disappoint the maroon-clad faithful.

Just a couple of days earlier, Gregg had labeled

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene’s Lyndsey Cutshaw – the lone senior on this year’s team – celebrates Saturday’s state sectional win by putting the final mark on the “Road To State” checklist.

his team’s 61-32 win over Hampton in the Region 1-A championship game as its best performance of the season. After the dismantling of Meigs County, he had to update that.

“I don’t think we could have played any better tonight,” Gregg said Saturday night.

South Greene has two players who can take over a game at any given time.

One is a forward – Miss Basketball finalist Taylor Lamb – and one is a guard – sophomore Braelyn Wykle.

It’s virtually impossible to hold both of them down for an entire game. But you

better at least stop one of them and make the other one beat you or it’s going to be a long night.

Meigs County found that out the hard way.

Both players went o for double-doubles against the Lady Tigers. Lamb followed up her Region 1-A Tournament MVP performance with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Wykle was right behind with 23 points and 11 assists.

But it’s not just those two who can do damage. The Lady Rebels had 21 assists in the game, and no matter which five Gregg puts on the court, every combination seems to work together

seamlessly, making the extra passes to get their teammates good looks at the basket.

Morgan Williams finished with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting. T.K. Franklin had six points and six rebounds. Katilynn Franklin contributed six points and five steals. Reserve Hailey Howlett came o the bench to toss in 10 points as South Greene continued to pour it on late in the game.

“As a coach, you definitely want your team to peak at the right time,” Gregg said.

“I’ve told them all year that I didn’t think we had played our best basketball, but tonight I think we took a step

in the right direction.”

“We are going to Murfreesboro with the possibility of playing three more games, so if there ever was a time to peak, now’s the time to do it. Hopefully we can go down there and continue this.”

If the Lady Rebels were looking to send a message to the rest of the state tournament field that they are primed for a title defense, it came across loud and clear.

Now, if they can bottle up that Rebel Magic and take it to Murfreesboro with them, they could very well be making more space in the trophy case at South Greene soon.

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The Greeneville Sun

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Saturday, March 11, 2017

CLASS A STATE SEMIFINALS | SOUTH GREENE 62, SUMMERTOWN 47

BACK FOR MORE South Greene Pulls Away From Summertown To Earn Second Straight Berth In State Finals

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene senior Lyndsey Cutshaw battled off flu-like symptoms Friday to contribute eight points to the Lady Rebels' state semifinal win over Summertown at the Murphy Center at MTSU.

Cutshaw Fights Off Lady Eagles, Flu-Like Symptoms

Defending State Champs Place Three In Double Figures, Hold Off Late Summertown Surge

BY DARREN REESE

BY WAYNE PHILLIPS SPORTS EDITOR EMERITUS MURFREESBORO – Make some more room in that already overflowing trophy case at South Greene High School.

The Lady Rebels will be bringing home some hardware again this season as they earned a berth in today’s Class A State Championship game after holding o Summertown 62-47 here Friday night in semifinal action at Murphy Center.

Coach Stephen Gregg’s squad will take on perennial Class A power Clarkrange at 6 p.m. today for all the marbles. The Rebels are defending champs and will be going after their sixth gold ball in school history.

The Rebels have been to state 29 times, the most of any team in any classification. Clarkrange, who beat Hampton in Friday’s other Class A semifinal bout, is making its 23rd trip to state and they have eight championships to show for their e orts, the last coming in 2009.

Summertown is a team that lives and dies by the 3-point shot, and they hit eight of them against the

Rebels. After a slow start, they warmed up considerably in the second quarter and cut a 14-point Reb lead down to two points in the third period.

But just as they did in their quarterfinal win over Pickett County on Thursday, South Greene would never let the Eagles tie the game or take the lead.

“I think last night helped prepare us for tonight,” Coach Gregg said. “We showed some resiliency.

They (Summertown) got the momentum shifted, got it down to two points. But the girls responded in the fourth quarter.”

Sophomore point guard Braelyn Wykle, who got into foul trouble in Thursday’s game and sat much of the first half, responded strong in this one, finishing with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting. She did not have a single turnover. As a team, the Rebels made only three in the contest.

Junior forward Taylor Lamb scored 13 points and came up just short of a double-double as she finished with nine rebounds. Junior Morgan Williams continued SEE STATE, PAGE 3B

SUN SPORTS EDITOR

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene junior Kinsley Wykle makes a pass during Friday’s state semifinal win over Summertown.

South Greene’s only senior...

About to play in her fifth state championship game on the Murphy Center court...

It was a given that Lyndsey Cutshaw would be requested for the interview room following the Lady Rebels’ 62-47 win over Summertown in the semifinals Friday night.

Only, she was a no-show.

It’s not that Cutshaw didn’t want to be there along side coach Stephen Gregg and teammates Taylor Lamb and Braelyn Wykle.

It’s that she couldn’t be.

She was in the locker room getting fluids through an IV. You see, Cutshaw woke up early Friday morning – fresh o South Greene’s win over No. 4 Pickett County in the semifinals the night before – feeling not so fresh at all.

She began throwing up and that continued throughout the day, even immediately as she came o the court after playing 23 minutes in the Lady Rebels’ semifinal contest.

“I think I may have the flu,” Cutshaw said. “My dad had the flu recently. But there was no way anything was going to keep me o the court down here at the state tournament.”

Cutshaw finished the game with eight points and a pair of rebounds.

When South Greene takes the court tonight to play Clarkrange in the Class A State Championship game, it will be old hat for the senior. She has played in the state volleyball championship match at the Murphy Center three times during her South Greene career.

She also helped the Lady Rebels to the fifth state basketball title in program history a year ago.

Ironically, this wasn’t the first time Cutshaw had been sick for the state semifinals in basketball. Two years ago when South Greene lost to Middleton 59-58 in the Final Four, Cutshaw had to go to the hospital the night before due to nausea and dehydration.

“I guess Murfreesboro doesn’t like me,” Cutshaw laughed Friday.

There have been other instances when she has put SEE CUTSHAW, PAGE 3B

CLASS A STATE SEMIFINALS

Wykle Bounces Back From Tough State Tournament Opener Sophomore leads Lady Rebels With 20 points On 7-of-10 Shooting

BY SETH BUTLER THE NEWPORT PLAIN TALK MURFREESBORO—Braelyn Wykle’s foray into the 2017 TSSAA State Tournament was a frustrating one.

Two early fouls. One made field

goal. Just 20 minutes of game action. The Lady Rebels committed 12 turnovers in one of the team’s closest games of the year in Thursday’s five-point victory over Pickett County.

It certainly wasn’t how the Lady Rebels’ sophomore point guard envisioned her second trip to the Murphy Center going.

“It was di erent,” Wykle said after Friday evening’s semifinal win over Summertown. “I haven’t been in foul trouble all year and come down here the first half of the game and have to sit.”

After being South Greene’s

leading scorer, generating over 19 points a game for the Lady Rebels over the course of the season, Wykle was determined to let the first half of the quarterfinal round fuel her.

“I knew coming out in the second half (Thursday), that I would do anything it took to get past the first game, no matter the circumstances,” Wykle said.

And Friday night became a di erent story for Wykle. Having a better SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE night in the team’s most important game to date was as sure as a lock. South Greene sophomore Braelyn Wykle scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting to lead the Lady Rebels past Summertown SEE WYKLE, PAGE 4B in the state semifinals Friday.

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Saturday, March 11, 2017

The Greeneville Sun

Page 3B

SPORTS

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene fans cheer on the Lady Rebels in the Class A state semifinals Friday at the Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

Historic Powers Collide Tonight For Class A State Title

BY TATE RUSSELL SUN SPORTS WRITER Tonight at the Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University, two of the state’s most historic programs will collide in the TSSAA Class A Girls’ State Tournament championship game.

South Greene enters the contest as the defending state champion, and as a program the Lady Rebels have claimed five state titles. Waiting for them is Clarkrange, who has eight gold balls on its resume.

South Greene is making its 29th appearance at the state tournament – most for any program in the state regardless of classification. Clarkrange’s title tally ranks second in the state.

Tip-o is scheduled for 6 p.m. central time.

The Lady Bu aloes, from the small town 18 miles north of Crossville, are 27-10 coming into the state championship game and are led by Class A Miss Basketball winner Kara Meadows.

South Greene enters the contest at 34-4 on the year and riding a 15-game winning streak.

Meadows is a 6-foot-4 center and MTSU commitment. She scored 20 points in Clarkrange’s state quarterfinal win over Perry County and in the Lady Bu aloes’ 37-27 win over Hampton in the semifinals on Friday she tallied 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

“They are a team that likes to sit in the o ense and be patient and pass it around until they find what they like,” South Greene coach Stephen Gregg said. “We’ll have to break down some film tonight and find what their weaknesses are and figure out how to take advantage.”

South Greene’s Miss Basketball finalist Taylor Lamb will be the primary defender on Meadows tonight and she is excited about

the opportunity.

“No matter who I play, it’s always a personal challenge, but she is literally two times bigger than me and I know I am going to have to work tomorrow,” Lamb said. “But I also know that the four other players out there will have my back and will double down if they have to. We will do what it takes to stop her.”

Lamb has combined for 32 points and 20 rebounds in her two games at the Murphy Center this week.

What may be the Lady Rebels’ biggest advantage tonight is their ability to run the floor. South Greene has pressed opponents effectively all year and has frequently turned turnovers into quick points on the other end. Running the floor also minimizes Meadows’ e ectiveness by preventing her from clogging the paint. On Friday

STATE FROM PAGE 2B

her solid tourney play with 10 points. Lyndsey Cutshaw, the team’s only senior, scored eight despite being sick during the contest. Sophomore Ashlyn Reaves chipped in with seven and helped the Rebs get o to the great first quarter start when they jumped into a 16-2 lead.

Madison Dinwiddie led Summertown (26-10) with 22 points, including five 3-pointers. Lauren Graves scored six.

“Man, they’ve got great shooters,” Gregg said of the Lady Eagles. “They put Graves in one corner and 14 (Dinwiddie) in the other, and their guards do a good job. They get wide open looks. It was a tough task tonight. We were able to fight o the wave.”

The Eagles missed their first nine shots from the floor and allowed the Rebs to get o to the 16-2 lead.

But they began finding the range toward the end of the period, trailing 20-10 at the first rest stop. They hit 6-of-9 from the floor in the second period, including treys by Dinwiddie and Graves to close out the half, and trailed by only 31-27 at intermission.

A 3-pointer by Dinwiddie with five minutes left in the third left the Summertown deficit at only 35-33.

But the Rebels responded well, using a dribble-drive o ense similar to Summertown’s to regain some control.

“They were clogging up the middle and our highlow looks weren’t there,” Gregg said. “So we tried to pull them out a little bit. We made some good cuts and got some breathing room.”

Gregg said he was not happy with the team’s offense in the first half.

“We had a good talk at the half,” he said. “I was frustrated with the shot selection. We fed into (what they wanted us to do.) We had to challenge our defense in the second half. They hadn’t seen the

against Hampton, the Lady Buffaloes played just six players and four of them played 30 or more minutes in a deliberately slowedpaced game.

“It’s not about slowing (Meadows) down, it’s that we have to speed her up. If we run the ball like we always do, we won’t even have to deal with her,” Lamb said.

South Greene’s press and o ense is led at the top by point guard Brealyn Wykle, who put in 20 points on Friday while also not turning the ball over once.

Clarkrange gave up 13 points to Hampton point guard Shyanne Tuelle, almost half of the Lady Bulldogs’ total.

South Greene guard Ashlyn Reaves e ectively turned defense into o ense early on Friday as she twice stole the ball and scored seven points in the first quarter as part of a high-pressure run that

saw South Greene take a 16-2 lead over Summertown. Sharpshooters Kinsley Wykle and Katilynn Franklin can also be dangerous when they get good looks in transition, which will make it to the Lady Bu aloes’ advantage to try to play the game in the half court.

Clarkrange coach Lamar Rogers is confident his team can handle anything thrown at it.

“South Greene likes to speed the ball up, but we have Pickett County in our district, and we split with them this year,” Rogers said.

“They play that up-tempo pace and we are used to adjusting for that.

Pickett plays as fast as anybody and we have handled that.”

On the state’s biggest stage, experience is always a factor and nine of South Greene’s 10 players were on last year’s state championship team. That experience, along with a tough regular season

defense we employed in the fourth quarter and it made them a little hesitant, I thought. They are a great ball team and very well coached. We had to go through the playbook tonight to find something to stop them.”

South Greene did get some breathing room by the close of the third period as Lamb converted a pair of old-fashioned 3-point plays as the lead grew back to 47-38. The Eagles got it back to seven, but would get no closer in the final quarter as the Rebels were deadly at the foul line, making 13-of-14 during that stretch and 19-of-21 for the game.

The illness that Cutshaw played through Friday is a concern heading into the title tilt tonight.

“She’s a coaches’ player,” Gregg said of his senior.

“She’s the most gutsy player I’ve ever been around.

She would do anything for this maroon. The girls played for her tonight.”

Lamb said the team wanted to be there for Cutshaw because “she’s always there for us.”

“She gives 110 percent,” Lamb said. “She’s in there throwing up right now because she gave all she had tonight. That’s why she’s a leader of this basketball team.”

Lamb also said the team would take a more “business-like approach” to their second championship game in as many years.

“We’ll go to the motel and get rested up, then get focused on Clarkrange,” she said.

CUTSHAW

SOUTH GREENE (62): Braelyn Wykle 20, Reaves 7, Cutshaw 8, Morgan Williams 10, Taylor Lamb 13, K.Wykle 2, TK Franklin 2, K.Franklin 0.

SUMMERTOWN (47): Franks 4, R.Brazier 4, Madison Dinwiddie 22, McGill 2, Graves 6, J.Brazier 3, Rossman 4, Brown 2.

SCORE BY QUARTERS: South Greene 20 11 Summertown 10 17

16 11

5—62 9—47

schedule that included two Class AAA state tournament teams and one Class AA state tournament team, can go a long way in calming any pre-championship nerves.

“We’ve talked about our strength of schedule and experience all year long,” Gregg said. “I think that experience is why we have been able to fight o these storms that have been thrown at us the last two nights.”

Rogers has coached in his share of state championship games, but only four of his players have played for a state title. The Lady Bu aloes finished second in the state in 2015, but only two players on this year’s team actually saw the floor in the championship game – Meadows and Hannah Garrett.

“I’m excited for tomorrow, I’ve been in this game once as a sophomore and know what it is like,” Meadows said. “I know how big of an honor it is to play in this game and know how nervous I am going to be, but I’ll be ready for it.”

“We’ve done it both ways. We’ve brought teams with experience into this game, and in 2004 we came down here after not being here in a while and they ran through this place like it was home,” Rogers said. “It all depends on the individual player, but I think our tradition helps us.”

One concern for South Greene going into tonight’s contest will be the health of its lone senior, Lyndsey Cutshaw. The Lady Rebels’ defensive stopper on the perimeter was ill on Friday and after the win over Summertown she was too sick to come do post game interviews.

“We’ve battled injury with Lyndsey in the district tournament with her rolling her ankle at the end of the year. We played a couple of games without her, but we definitely hope she can heal before this big game. But I know these other girls will rally together and play for her,” Gregg said.

FROM PAGE 2B

her body to limits for the sake of the team, as well.

“We don’t have enough time for me to tell you Lyndsey Cutshaw stories,” Gregg said. “I’ve been to hospitals with her. We’ve had the rescue squad come in.”

Cutshaw missed the first two weeks of this year’s postseason after su ering an ankle injury in South Greene’s regular season finale. Upon her return, she felt she could have played more minutes than coach Gregg allowed her to.

“That’s just how she is,” Gregg grinned. “She would run through a brick wall for her teammates. She’s just a special kid, and they only come around every once in a while.”

On a squad that had no seniors last year, Cutshaw has been the elder statesman for the Lady Rebels for two seasons now. Gregg says Cutshaw’s mentality has been contagious for the younger girls on the roster.

“She’s a gutsy kid,” Gregg said. “She’s a coaches player.

She’s the most gutsy kid I’ve ever been associated with.

She laid it on the line for the maroon tonight.”

“She’s a great leader. You can’t ask for a better kid. And her attitude just rubs o on the rest of the players. The way she gives it all she has, it makes the other girls want to lay it on the line for her and they rallied around her tonight.”

Sophomore Braelyn Wykle confirmed that. Wykle came into the program as a rookie last season, and it was Cutshaw’s leadership qualities that immediately caught her attention.

“She’s definitely a role model to give it 110 percent every single game,” Wykle said. “She’s been doing that since her freshman season.

She sets the tempo for us out there on the court, and we just give her our all.”

No matter what she wakes up feeling like, she plans on giving it her all until the final horn sounds – hopefully resulting in her carrying another gold ball back to Rebel Hill.

“I’m going to go out playing,” Cutshaw said. “Literally nothing will keep me o the court tomorrow night. You would have to catch me dead or something to keep me from playing one last game.”

Page 4B

The Greeneville Sun

www.greenevillesun.com

Saturday, March 11, 2017

SPORTS

Glennon Gets Bears Job, RG3 Gets Walking Papers

BY BARRY WILNER AP FOOTBALL WRITER

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brad Keselowski stands by the award after winning the pole during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup auto race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday, March 10, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Keselowski On Pole For NASCAR Las Vegas Stop, Truex Jr. 2nd

BY MIKE CRANSTON ASSOCIATED PRESS LAS VEGAS (AP) — Brad Keselowski will begin his bid for a third victory in the past four NASCAR Cup races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from the pole after topping qualifying Friday night.

Keselowski, who also won last week’s race at Atlanta, made up ground in the final two turns and posted a top seed of 193.68 mph in his No. 2 Ford for his 13th career pole. He won at the 1.5-mile track last year and in 2014.

“We found some things we really liked here about three or four years ago and we’ve been able to kind of roll with that,” Keselowski said.

Martin Truex Jr., who was the fastest in the midday practice, will join him on the front row Sunday in the 400-mile race thanks to a speed of 193.458 mph in his No. 78 Toyota.

“We were really strong in practice and thought it would pick up quite

a bit of speed tonight and it really didn’t,” Truex said. “So that threw us for a little bit of a curve and kind of hurt our setup. But it was a good recovery. We made a lot of changes throughout qualifying and got better at the end.”

Ryan Blaney will start third in his Ford, and Matt Kenseth qualified fourth on his 45th birthday.

Kyle Larson was fifth, followed by Joey Logano, Kasey Kahne, rookie Erik Jones, Las Vegas native Kyle Busch and Jamie McMurray.

Daniel Suarez will start 11th and Chase Elliott 12th.

Keselowski believes the new stage racing format this season has boosted qualifying’s importance in the race weekend. The first segment Sunday ends on the 45th lap.

“Now it matters more than ever because it gives you a prime opportunity to win that first stage and collect those points both for the season and for the playo s,” Keselowski said.

Daytona 500 champion Kurt Busch failed to get out of the second qualifying round and will start 17th. His Stewart-Haas Racing teammate and series points leader Kevin Harvick struggled and will being 19th.

Clint Bowyer (13th) just missed getting into the last round. Defending series champion Jimmie Johnson will start 16th and teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. 18th.

Kyle Busch was the fastest in the first qualifying round and Danica Patrick (28th) was among those outside the top 25 who failed to advance.

AJ Allmendinger knocked out his teammate Chris Buescher by posting a faster lap seconds before the 20-minute session ended “I thought AJ and I were better friends than that,” joked Buescher, who will start 25th.

With only 39 cars entered, open drivers Corey LaJoie (34th), Derrike Cope (38th) and Timmy Hill (39th) all made the field.

It looks like Mike Glennon has a starting job in the NFL. Robert Gri n III no longer has any job.

The Bears finalized their deal with Glennon, the former Tampa Bay quarterback, on Friday, one day after cutting Jay Cutler. Glennon wasn’t about to beat out Jameis Winston with the Buccaneers, and he got a three-year contract in Chicago.

“I haven’t played in two-plus years, but I was playing when I was 23, 24,” Glennon said. “I’m 27 now and I feel like I’m a much better player.

“I’ve grown physically, I’ve grown mentally. I’m more confident in my abilities.”

RG3 spent one injury-filled year with the Browns, who released him less than 24 hours after trading for Houston QB Brock Osweiler. Not that Osweiler is certain to be staying in Cleveland, which has stockpiled draft picks for the next two years and could be bargaining for the likes of New England backup Jimmy Garoppolo.

Gri n thanked Browns fans on Twitter, posting a photo of him holding his jersey. “Thank you, #DawgPound,” Gri n wrote. “All love. #TheWorkContinues. #I’mHungry.”

Meanwhile, the highest-profile quarterback who soon figures to become available, Dallas’ Tony Romo, was still a Cowboy.

Julius Peppers is a Panther once again. Carolina’s career sacks leader and No. 5 on the NFL chart left Green Bay to return to the team that drafted him second overall in 2002. The 37-year-old Peppers has 143 ½ sacks during 15 NFL seasons. He played eight of those seasons for the Panthers (2002-2009) and was a two-time All-Pro. Carolina then dealt DE Kony Ealy to New England, which also signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Panthers kept busy as they signed three other free agents: wide receivers Russell Shepard from Tampa Bay and Charles Johnson from Minnesota and safety Mike Adams from Indianapolis.

The Patriots lost cornerback Logan Ryan to Tennessee, and TE Martellus Bennett, who went to Green Bay. He was a solid sidekick to star tight end Rob Gronkowski last season, but when the Patriots traded for Dwayne Allen this week, it was clear Bennett was heading elsewhere.

College quarterback turned NFL receiver Terrelle Pryor left Cleveland for Washington for a one-year contract worth up to $8 million. The Redskins lost their two top receivers on Thursday in free agency, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson.

Veteran linebacker Lawrence Timmons of the Steelers joined the Dolphins for $12 million over two years.

Also on the move on the second day of free agency were several more o ensive linemen as NFL teams look at the crop of blockers in this year’s draft and shudder.

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene sophomore Braelyn Wykle drives in for a reverse lay-up during Friday’s state semifinal contest in Murfreesboro.

WYKLE FROM PAGE 2B

“She knew she was destined to have a good game,” Lady Rebels coach Stephen Gregg said. “It’s good to see, I don’t like to sit any kid, but when you get two (fouls) in the first half, it’s almost a given.

“We’ve weathered a lot of storms the last two nights.”

But Wykle’s presence on the floor in Friday night’s 62-47 decision over Summertown in the semifinals helped the Lady Rebels weather yet another storm.

After a once 14-point lead was trimmed to two in the early stages of the second half, the Lady Rebels were the beneficiary of Wykle’s play.

Immediately after Summertown cut the lead to 35-33, a three-point play

by the point guard pushed the lead out to six and her layup late in the quarter gave the Lady Rebels a 4435 lead with 1:31 to play in the period.

“My mindset was definitely on bouncing back,” Wykle said. “I mean, this is what we’ve worked for all year and we’re back to where we want to be.

Hopefully we can finish it o (Saturday).”

Wykle was able to make 70 percent of her shots from the field, as she led the Lady Rebels with a 20-point performance against Summertown.

More importantly though, in order to help advance South Greene back to the state championship game for the second straight year, the Lady Rebels had their floor general on the court for all 32 minutes of Friday night’s victory.

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SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

South Greene’s starting five of (l-r) Lyndsey Cutshaw, Ashlyn Reaves, Braelyn Wykle, Taylor Lamb and Morgan Williams wait to be introduced before Friday’s state semifinal game in Murfreesboro.

Wykle’s presence on the court enabled South Greene to not only milk the game clock’s final four minutes, but also limited the team to just three turnovers over the course of the game.

“We know as the game gets closer, that’s what you’ve got to do,” said Wykle about South Greene’s ability to use its o ense to melt time o the

clock in the final minutes.”

“That was just a big part of the game tonight, especially in the fourth quarter.”

To switch up to that kind of o ensive method, though, requires discipline, which left the Lady Rebels’ coach impressed that his team did not commit a turnover over the game’s final eight minutes.

“When we worked on

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our delay game — which we worked on for two months — not to have a turnover the whole fourth quarter and just three for the game,” Gregg said.

“That’s scary when we can do that night in, night out.”

South Greene hasn’t been in a position to milk the clock much of the season, as it won its 33 games prior to the state

tournament by an average of 31.9 points a game. But months of preparation before making it to the state tournament has helped the Lady Rebels in crunch time.

“Like coach said, we’ve been preparing for it in practice,” Wykle said.

“They get after us in practice and that’s helped us a lot toward the end of the year.”

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THE GREENEVILLE SUN

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2017

TWO TIMES THE FUN Greeneville, Chuckey-Doak Both Headed To Murfreesboro For Girls Soccer State Championships

1B

Page 2B

The Greeneville Sun

www.greenevillesun.com

Monday, October 23, 2017

SPORTS *,5/6 62&&(5 &/$66 $ 67$7( 6(&7,21$/ “It feels like this has been so long coming. Twelve years feels so long. I’m just in awe of how these girls played today. They have worked so hard for this and they deserve it. Today these girls wouldn’t be denied.�

Anna Ricker, Chuckey-Doak head soccer coach

Feels Like 2005 /DPE¡V *DPH :LQQHU 6HQGV /DG\ .QLJKWV 7R 6WDWH 7RXUQDPHQW )RU )LUVW 7LPH ,Q <HDUV

SUN PHOTO BY TATE RUSSELL

Chuckey-Doak seniors Erica Lamb (center) and Caleigh Norton (right) celebrate Lambâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game-winning goal in Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class A State Sectional contest at Oneida. ;OL 3HK` 2UPNO[Z ^VU [V HK]HUJL [V [OL Z[H[L [V\YUHTLU[ MVY [OL Ă&#x201E;YZ[ [PTL ZPUJL

BY TATE RUSSELL SUN SPORTS WRITER

O

NEIDA - This past offseason, Chuckey-Doak senior Erica Lamb was studying the realigned soccer FODVVLÂżFDWLRQV DIWHU 766$$ split the former A/AA into two separate classes.

Lamb noticed that the Lady Knights could have a good opportunity to make a deep postseason run.

6KH KDG QRW SOD\HG VRFFHU since her freshman year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; instead opting to try her hand at volleyball â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but she decided that she wanted to see if she could help Chuckey-Doak make a run at the state tournament in her senior year. $IWHU 6DWXUGD\ LWÂśV VDIH WR VD\ the Lady Knights are thankful that she made that decision.

With just over 10 minutes rePDLQLQJ LQ WKHLU &ODVV $ 6WDWH 6HFWLRQDO FRQWHVW DW 2QHLGD Lamb scored the game-winning goal to send Chuckey-Doak to D YLFWRU\ DQG LWV ÂżUVW VWDWH tournament berth since 2005. Âł6KH FDPH EDFN WR XV ZLWK the intention of going to state,â&#x20AC;?

Chuckey-Doak coach Anna 5LFNHU VDLG RI /DPE Âł6KH VDZ

|7KLV LV IUHDNLQ DZHVRPH , P MXVW WRWDOO\ VSHHFKOHVV , GRQ W HYHQ NQRZ KRZ WR GHVFULEH KRZ , IHHO ULJKW QRZ } &DOHLJK 1RUWRQ &KXFNH\ 'RDN VHQLRU

who was in our division and who we had to beat, and that was one of the reasons she came back.â&#x20AC;?

6KH ORRNV YHU\ VHDVRQHG RXW there. You FDQÂśW WHOO that she missed two years. That goal was so JUHDW 6KH had to run through two girls to get it, then she took a great shot.â&#x20AC;?

ChuckeyDoak overcame a slow start after a two-andhalf hour bus ride and then had to ÂżJKW EDFN after giving up two goals to the Lady Indians early in the second half. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These girls have worked so hard for this and they SUN PHOTO BY TATE RUSSELL deserve itâ&#x20AC;?

Chuckey-Doak senior Erica Lamb (left) celebrates with former Lady Knight Katie Lawson fol- Ricker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels like lowing Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Sectional win at Oneida.

this has been so long coming.

Twelve years feels so long.â&#x20AC;? Âł,ÂśP MXVW LQ DZH RI KRZ WKHVH girls played today. This game was a roller coaster of emotions. We scored before half and absolutely thought we had it. Then, boom, they score and WKHQ JR XS E\ RQH ,WÂśV VR HDV\ to get down right there but today these girls could not be denied.â&#x20AC;?

7KLV ZLOO EH WKH ÂżUVW WLPH Chuckey-Doak has sent a team to state competition in any VSRUW VLQFH WKH JLUOVÂś VRFFHU WHDPÂśV ODVW DSSHDUDQFH The Lady Knights will open state tournament play on Wednesday at 2 p.m. against 0F.HQ]LH DW WKH 5LFKDUG 6LHJHO 6RFFHU &RPSOH[ LQ 0XUIUHHVboro. Âł7KLV LV IUHDNLQÂś DZHVRPH ,ÂśP MXVW WRWDOO\ VSHHFKOHVV , GRQÂśW HYHQ NQRZ KRZ WR describe how I feel right now,â&#x20AC;?

Chuckey-Doak senior Caleigh 1RUWRQ VDLG H[FLWHGO\ DIWHU WKH win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;:HÂśYH QHYHU EHHQ EHIRUH and I just feel great right now.â&#x20AC;? /DPEÂśV GHFLVLYH JRDO FDPH LQ the 59th minute after a great GHOLYHU\ IURP WKH OHIW Ă&#x20AC;DQN E\ Brooke Morgan. Lamb took in the pass before playing the ball IRUZDUG WR VSDFH 6KH SORZHG through two defenders and quickly slammed the ball into the back of the net for the lead.

Just three minutes prior, Morgan came up with a tough goal to tie the game and bring some relief to what had been a very tense start of the second half for the Lady Knights.

Chuckey-Doak was awarded a free kick from wide of the \DUG ER[ RQ WKH OHIW VLGH RI WKH ÂżHOG DQG IURP WKH WLJKW DQJOH 0RUJDQ H[SHUWO\ ORIWHG the ball over the defense before curling it under the crossbar and inside the far post to knot the game at 2-2. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is what Brooke does IRU XV ´ 5LFNHU VDLG Âł6KH LV RXU 'DYLG %HFNKDP 6KH FDQ SXW it in from those weird angles.

6KH SUDFWLFHV WKRVH D ORW DQG does a good job. Today we needed her to step up and she came up big.â&#x20AC;? &KXFNH\ 'RDNÂśV ÂżUVW JRDO came in the 38th minute and provided a much needed lift after both teams seemed to SOD\ WLJKW WKURXJKRXW WKH ÂżUVW half.

Lamb, who is also the point JXDUG IRU WKH /DG\ .QLJKWVÂś

SUN PHOTO BY TATE RUSSELL

Chuckey-Doak players Brooke Morgan (left) and Madi Baldwin are pictured following Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Sectional win at Oneida.

basketball team, delivered a throw in from near the end line that would have made hoops coach Beth Frye proud.

Norton ran under the throw, leaped up and headed the ball past Oneida keeper Alea Jones for an early 1-0 lead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have played a lot of sports together since kindergarten and we kind of know what each other is going to do and where each other is going to go,â&#x20AC;? Lamb said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That really helps us have a connection down there near the goal.â&#x20AC;?

Chuckey-Doak controlled possession through most of the ÂżUVW KDOI DQG ZDV DEOH WR VHQG shots at goal, but they could not get the right touch on the ball to make Jones work.

1RUWRQÂśV JRDO VHHPHG WR be the lift the Lady Knights needed, but the Lady Indians came out of intermission ready to strike.

Oneida tied the game up in WKH QG PLQXWH RQ WKH ÂżUVW VKRW RI WKH VHFRQG KDOI 6DUDK Morrow took the ball in the ER[ DQG SLYRWHG DURXQG KHU

marker before connecting on a shot that slipped inside the right post.

Three minutes later, Oneida took the lead when a loose ball bounced to the feet of an unguarded Madison Dunlap.

Dunlap sent the shot at keeper Taylor Craft, who was able to get a hand on it but could not keep it out as the ball slipped just under the crossbar for a 2-1 lead.

2XWVLGH RI WKH ÂżYH PLQXWH stretch to start the second KDOI &KXFNH\ 'RDNÂśV GHIHQVH ZDV WRXJK RQ 6DWXUGD\ 7KH XQLW RQO\ JDYH XS VL[ VKRWV DOO afternoon while even limiting WKH /DG\ ,QGLDQVÂś DELOLW\ WR possess the ball in their attacking third. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(The defense) had two mistakes tonight, and I think we checked out mentally there,â&#x20AC;?

Ricker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But they played fantastic other than that.

They did not give them many chances, really. Other than those goals, (Oneida) did not have any good looks.â&#x20AC;?

www.greenevillesun.com

The Greeneville Sun

Monday, October 23, 2017

Page 3B

SPORTS GIRLS SOCCER CLASS AA STATE SECTIONAL â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a special moment for this whole team for (Elissa) to step up like she did. It was like all year long, we were waiting for her to explode. She would get one goal or two goals, but I think today she just took it on her shoulders to lead the team and get those goals.â&#x20AC;?

John Eiskamp, Greeneville head soccer coach

A Senior Moment Elissa McIntosh Scores Four Second-Half Goals To Give Lady Devils Shot At Third Straight State Title

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

Greeneville senior Elissa McIntosh celebrates with teammates following one of her four second-half goals she scored as part of the Lady Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 5-1 win over Knox Catholic in the Class AA State Sectional contest at Fox Field on Saturday.

BY DARREN REESE SUN SPORTS EDITOR

GREENEVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; From the moment Sabrina Iezzi scored in the third minute to give Greeneville the early advantage in Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Sectional contest, there was never a feeling that the outcome was in doubt on the home side.

But then visiting Knox Catholic scored an equalizer and the game went into intermission tied 1-1. And the longer you let an opponent hang around and build some momentum in athletics, strange things can happen.

Luckily for Greeneville, though, senior Elissa McIntosh made sure things stayed par for the course for the two-time defending state champions.

McIntosh took charge out of WKH ORFNHU URRP DQG ÂżUHG LQ four second-half goals, giving the Lady Devils a 5-1 victory and a ticket to Murfreesboro with the hopes of bringing home a third straight crown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just kept telling myself, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Get another one, get another oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? McIntosh said after the game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to stop, I want to get (back to state). Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been there twice and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so excited to be going back again.â&#x20AC;?

Elissaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s twin sister Elizabeth McIntosh had a front row seat to see the show.

Elizabeth anchors the Greeneville defense, which until Saturday hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allowed a goal the entire postseason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It makes me so happy to see her succeed,â&#x20AC;? Elizabeth said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To have her score four goals in a row, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so proud of her.â&#x20AC;?

Greeneville will begin its state tournament run on Wednesday at 7 p.m., taking on Covington at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro.

The Lady Devils have out-scored opponents 39-1

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

Greeneville players celebrate following Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class AA State Sectional win over Knox Catholic at Fox Field. The Lady Devils will head to Murfreesboro this week to try and defend their backto-back state titles.

WKURXJK ÂżYH SRVWVHDVRQ games thus far. Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JRDO DOORZHG ZDV WKH ÂżUVW one scored against them by a Class AA foe all season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just think everything has been clicking at the right

The home team certainly started the game as about as good as it could have hoped for, though.

Three minutes in, Iezzi took a through ball from Katherine *DORIÂżQ DQG ÂżUHG D GLUHFW

even the score. It remained a 1-1 tie at the break. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We told them at the half that they just needed to settle down a little bit,â&#x20AC;? Greeneville head coach John Eiskamp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think they were a

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time,â&#x20AC;? Greeneville senior captain Katlyn Jones said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our passes are great, we are working together and we want this.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re better this year and we are getting better every time we play. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing.

We have a chance to make history. I cried (today). They were happy tears. This is just outstanding.â&#x20AC;?

Greeneville out-shot the Lady Irish 20-7 for the game, including a 12-2 margin in the opening 40 minutes.

Still, the Lady Devils were unable to take full advantage of their dominate time of posVHVVLRQ LQ WKH ÂżUVW KDOI

shot from just inside the 18-yard box to make it a 1-0 game.

Greeneville continued WR ÂżUH DZD\ at the goal, but the Lady Irish increased the Lady Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; level of urgency midway through WKH ÂżUVW KDOI when Ellie Wolski found the net to

little on the nervous side, even though we were controlling things.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The second half we told them that we needed to focus on our passes, work those combinations, work those VSOLWV ÂżQG VRPHERG\ RSHQ DQG ÂżQG WKH EDFN RI WKH QHW Thankfully we were able to do that.â&#x20AC;?

Three of McIntoshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals were unassisted and they came in a variety of different ways. +HU ÂżUVW VFRUH LQ WKH WK minute came as a result of her ÂżQGLQJ VSDFH DQG EHDWLQJ WKH keeper on a close-range shot.

After McIntosh made it a 3-1 game off an assist from Sav Doty in the 63rd minute, she scored twice more over the next 10 minutes. One goal came when she bent a corner kick into the net and WKH ÂżQDO VFRUH FDPH ZKHQ VKH cleaned up a rebound after a shot by Mic Kriebel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a special moment for this whole team for (Elissa) to step up like she did,â&#x20AC;?

Eiskamp said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was like all year long, we were waiting for her to explode. She would get one goal or two goals, but I think today she just took it on her shoulders to lead the team and get those goals.â&#x20AC;? +DQQDK /HRQDUG ÂżQLVKHG with six saves in goal for the Lady Devils.

To see more pictures of Greene County sports, logon to greenevillesun.com â&#x20AC;&#x153;Photo Albumsâ&#x20AC;?

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Thursday, October 26, 2017

TSSAA CLASS A GIRLS’ SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENT “It was a big game...a big day for us. It’s huge for the program. I told them at halftime to just relax and play soccer. And I really think that’s what we did in the second half. We played more like us. We just needed one person to step up and put the ball in the back of the net, and thankfully Brooke did that for us.”

Anna Ricker, Chuckey-Doak soccer coach

Let’s Play Tomorrow Chuckey-Doak Shuts Out McKenzie, Advances To State Final Four

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

Chuckey-Doak head coach Anna Ricker celebrates with players following the Lady Knights’ 3-0 win over McKenzie in the opening round of the TSSAA Class A State Tournament in Murfreesboro on Wednesday.

BY DARREN REESE SUN SPORTS EDITOR MURFREESBORO – Chuckey-Doak head coach Anna Ricker had a simple message for her team prior to Wednesday’s state quarterfinal game.

“I love coaching you. I don’t want to stop. Let’s play tomorrow.”

And thanks to a big second half against McKenzie, that’s exactly what the Lady Knights will do.

After dominating the first half but coming up empty on the scoreboard, Chuckey-Doak tallied three goals after intermission and rolled to a 3-0 victory over the Lady Rebels in the TSSAA Class A State Tournament at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.

The Lady Knights will take on Signal Mountain this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. central time in the semifinals.

“It means a lot,” Chuckey-Doak senior Caleigh Norton said of becoming only the second team in program history to win a state tournament game. “We knew we had chances to score (in the first half), we just didn’t capitalize on it.”

“It was a relief when we got that first goal. After we scored that first one, I knew we had it. I just feel awesome. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Chuckey-Doak was making just the second appearance at state in program history, with the previous coming in 2005. The Lady Knights won their opening-round game that year as well.

“It’s huge for the program,”

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

Chuckey-Doak seniors Erica Lamb (left) and Caleigh Norton celebrate a goal during Wednesday’s state tournament game.

Chuckey-Doak head coach Anna Ricker said. “After this season we are losing some really valuable players, so I hope this will spark some interest with soccer at Chuckey-Doak and other girls will come out and play for us.”

Chuckey-Doak dominated every statistical category over the Lady Rebels on Wednesday, including shots (23-1) and corner kicks (12-1). The Lady Knights took 12 first-half shots to none for McKenzie but still the game

was scoreless at the break.

“I really thought we outplayed them in the first half,” Ricker said. “We possessed the ball more, we took more shots and more chances. I think we were still a little tight. It was a big game...a big day for us.”

But three minutes into the second half, Brooke Morgan scored one of the most important goals of the Lady Knights’ season.

Caleigh Norton took a through ball from midfield at the top of

the 18-yard box and passed it over to Morgan on her right side.

Morgan put one touch on it and fired a no-doubter past the outstretched hands of McKenzie keeper Gracie Dillingham.

The goal took a lot of pressure o of the team, Ricker explained, and helped the Lady Knights settle in and play their game.

“I told them at halftime to just relax and play soccer,” the coach said. “And I really think that’s what we did in the second half.

We played more like us.”

“That goal by Brooke was one of our biggest goals of the season.

I think at that point you saw the girls just relax. We just needed one person to step up and put the ball in the back of the net, and thankfully Brooke did that for us.”

The second goal came seven minutes later. Morgan fired a shot toward the goal and the ball deflected o a lone defender at the six-yard line.

Erica Lamb and Dillingham both raced toward the ball and Lamb beat the keeper to it and chipped it into the net for a 2-0 Chuckey-Doak advantage.

McKenzie’s lack of o ensive attack left little doubt as to the outcome over the final minutes but Norton added one more insurance goal on an unassisted shot in the 65th minute.

Chuckey-Doak keeper Taylor Craft only had to make one save the entire afternoon, though she did make another great play on a ball in the first half as it bounced around in dangerous territory near the goal line.

The Lady Knights’ defensive unit, led by Madison Barkley and Halea Murphy, shut down any McKenzie runs before they got started most times as Chuckey-Doak dominated time of possession for the game. Ricker also mentioned Katie Tipton as having a good game in the back.

Norton led the Lady Knights in shots as she took seven. Morgan fired in the direction of the net six times, with five of those being on frame.

SPORTS COMMENTARY

Devils, Knights Are ‘One Greene’ At State Soccer Tournament

BY DARREN REESE SUN SPORTS EDITOR Chuckey-Doak was playing in its first state tournament game since 2005 on Wednesday.

And while the Lady Knights didn’t benefit from having a large student cheering section like some of the other schools in close proximity to the midstate area, they did have a loud group of their peers rooting them on.

Early on in the contest, chants started coming from a group of

about 30 girls wearing Greeneville soccer attire and the vocal support continued throughout the game.

“La-dy Black-Knights. La-dy Black-Knights.”

It was the Greeneville High School soccer team, who spent the afternoon supporting their fellow Greene County competitors prior to the Lady Devils’ state quarterfinal contest later in the evening.

The support didn’t go unnoticed by the Lady Knights.

“Hearing Greeneville cheer us on today really gave our girls the boost they needed,” Chuckey-Doak head coach Anna Ricker said after the game. “I really love the friendship and unity that the two teams enjoy.”

Ricker appreciated the support so much that when asked how her team would celebrate its state quarterfinal victory over McKenzie, she replied, “We are going to go get us some warm clothes and then come back here and cheer on the Lady Devils, because we

are definitely looking forward to their game tonight.”

Chuckey-Doak stayed true to its word, too. The Lady Black Knights were the most vocal of fans during Greeneville’s night game against Covington.

And once the game was over, the Lady Devils ran over to the sideline and the two teams celebrated together.

For those who have been around the dynamics of the city/ county school system setup in Greene County over the years,

those sentiments haven’t always been easy to find.

I myself have only been in the county for five years now, and I can tell you that it’s just as common to see rival schools openly root against each other as it is to see them delight in the successes of a fellow Greene County team.

And so that’s what has made this girls’ soccer postseason so refreshing.

It started last week when SEE GREENE, PAGE 3B

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Thursday, October 26, 2017

The Greeneville Sun

Page 3B

TSSAA CLASS AA GIRLS’ SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENT “There is always room for improvement, but I don’t know how we could play much better.

It’s a blessing for our team to have the talent that it takes to get down here and not only compete but get the mercy rule.”

Mic Kriebel, Greeneville junior forward

Easy Does It Lady Devils Open With 9-0 Rout Of Covington In Mercy Rule Contest

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

Greeneville High School principal Patrick Fraley takes a selfie with the Lady Devils soccer team following their win over Covington in the TSSAA Class AA State Tournament quarterfinals in Murfreesboro Wednesday.

BY DARREN REESE

win their third consecutive state championship.

“There is always room for improvement, but I don’t know how we could play much better,” Kriebel said. “It’s a blessing for our team to have the talent that it takes to get down here and not only compete but get the mercy rule.”

Greeneville came out firing at the frame from the opening whistle and completely dominated possession throughout the course of the night.

Covington keeper Destiny Ballard held strong early on, making a half dozen great saves in the opening 15 minutes to keep the Lady Devils o the board.

But once Galo n scored on a breakaway in the 16th minute, the flood gates opened up in a big way for Greeneville after that.

The Lady Devils would build a 4-0 cushion over the next eight minutes. Emily Graham scored o an assist from Elissa McIntosh before McIntosh tallied the first of her three goals in the 20th minute.

Galo n then buried a longrange shot from 30 yards out five minutes later.

In the 25th minute, Kriebel forced Ballard to come out from the net and then fired a shot past her into the upper left corner.

Emily Shaw capped the first-half scoring with 49 seconds left in the period and Greeneville took a 6-0 advantage into the break.

Intermission and cold temperatures did little to slow down the red-hot Lady Devils in the second half as McIntosh scored twice in

the first nine minutes.

The senior has scored a combined seven goals over the past two games.

“That’s what we need out of her,” Eiskamp said of McIntosh’s play. “I talked to her again before this game and told her to step her game up like she did against Catholic (in the state sectional).

Obviously she was up for the challenge.”

“She even hit the goal post two or three times there in the first half, and then finally she was able to find the net. I think she is just playing with a lot of confidence and she wants to be a leader for her team.”

Kriebel had the assist on McIntosh’s second goal. The junior finished the night with a goal and two assists as she is having to take on a bigger role for the Greeneville o ense this season after playing behind two All-State forwards – Jessica Sallah and Kenzie Ellenburg – on last year’s state championship team.

“We had big shoes to fill after last year but I feel like we are doing a great job of handling that,” Kriebel explained. “Me being a forward, there’s usually a lot of pressure on that position to score goals, but I can depend on my other teammates to have my back.”

“Elissa, Sabrina, Katherine, Graham...everybody on the front line are great scorers and it just makes it easier for us that there’s not a lot of pressure on just one person.”

Macy Vermillion brought the game to a premature end with her goal in the 51st minute.

Greeneville’s defense had a relatively easy go of it in the contest.

Keeper Hannah Leonard didn’t have to make a single save in order to record the shutout.

Covington, which was making its first-ever state tournament appearance, ends the season with an 18-4 overall record.

in the past, but this is the time for us to stand together. I’m so grateful that we’ve been able to do that.”

“Go Chuckey-Doak and go Lady Devils!”

It’s a situation that might not have been possible had it not been for TSSAA electing to split the former A/AA classification into two separate classes this past o season.

Greeneville and Chuckey-Doak were in the same district under the old format, and the Lady Devils beat their cross-town rivals for the district tournament crown

three of the past four years prior to this season.

And while the lopsided nature of the scores might have caused some ill feelings amongst previous teams, Ricker said she has always had a tremendous amount of respect for Greeneville head coach John Eiskamp and his program.

“He helped me back in 1999 when we first started soccer at Chuckey-Doak,” Ricker explained. “He is a class act and we have been friends and we have supported each other over the years.”

“We have exchanged good luck wishes for years. This year I told my players that all three GHS coaches had sent us good luck messages individually, and my girls wanted to get involved.

That’s where the videos came from.”

Some of the Greeneville and Chuckey-Doak players grew up playing youth soccer together, and Ricker believes there is no reason why they shouldn’t support each other.

“We are one community,” she added.

Greeneville High School prin-

cipal Patrick Fraley, who regularly tweets out support of other Greene County high schools, summed up those sentiments on Wednesday.

“Congrats Lady Black Knights!,” Fraley posted. “Thanks for coming out to support Lady Devils!” “#OneGreene” Oh, and by the way, both teams won their state quarterfinal contests. It just goes to show the positives that can come when we build up our neighbors instead of trying to tear them down.

One Greene, indeed.

SUN SPORTS EDITOR MURFREESBORO – Greeneville senior Katherine Galo n could do nothing but grin and repeatedly say, “It feels pretty good.

It feels pretty good.”

State tournament games weren’t supposed to be that easy.

But then again, not many teams combine the level of talent, experience and confidence that the Lady Devils are currently playing with.

Greeneville had its full arsonal of o ensive weapons on display Wednesday night in its TSSAA Class AA State Tournament opener against Covington.

Led by the hat trick of Elissa McIntosh, six di erent Lady Devils found the back of the net as they brought the mercy rule into e ect in the 51st minute with a 9-0 drubbing against the team who entered the tournament with the best overall record.

Greeneville (17-4-3) advances to play Page in the state semifinals today at 4:30 p.m. central time.

“We told the girls coming into the game that that’s the message we wanted to send – attack and attack quickly,” Greeneville head coach John Eiskamp said. “Early on this season, we were looking for someone to score. We made some changes with our formations and were able to balance that scoring attack out.”

“You could see the way we were knocking the ball around tonight.

Nice short passes on the ground and no one was being selfish.

Whoever was open, we got the ball to them and they were able to fire it on frame. It was just a great night all around.”

So great, in fact, that junior forward Mic Kriebel labeled her team’s performance a “10”. That could spell trouble for Greeneville’s opponents going forward as the Lady Devils attempt to

GREENE FROM PAGE 2B

Chuckey-Doak and Greeneville sent good luck and congratulatory videos to each other prior to and after their respective state sectional contests.

And it continued in Murfreesboro on Wednesday as the two teams suddenly became each other’s biggest fans.

“I’m incredibly proud of both teams for making it this far,” Greeneville senior Katlyn Jones said. “I know we have competed

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

Greeneville seniors Elissa (22) and Elizabeth McIntosh celebrate following Wednesday’s victory over Covington in the state quarterfinals. Elissa scored three goals and has seven combined over the Lady Devils’ past two games.

Sports SPORTS EDITOR: DARREN REESE

THE GREENEVILLE SUN

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017

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The Greeneville Sun

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Friday, November 24, 2017

TSSAA STATE SEMIFINALS

DESTINATION IN SIGHT

BY DARREN REESE | Sun Sports Editor Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no secret that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been Cookeville or bust for the Greeneville football team this season.

The Greene Devils went as far as to plate â&#x20AC;&#x153;286â&#x20AC;? on the front of their helmets at the start of the year, referencing the interstate exit number for the town where the TSSAA state football championships games are held.

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Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at Burley Stadium.

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SSHDU*UHHQHYLOOH LV PDNLQJ LWV ÂżUVW DSSHDULW ZRQ DQFH LQ WKH VWDWH VHPLÂżQDOV VLQFH LW ZRQ back-to-back championships in 2010 and hile, has 2011. Marshall County, meanwhile, UHYLRXV DSSHDUHG LQ WKH VHPLÂżQDOV WKH SUHYLRXV holic in two seasons, losing to Knox Catholic o.

2015 and Knox Central a year ago.

The Tigers have only advanced to the championship game once in n 1984 school history, though, coming in when they won the title.

The Greene Devils have been son, ranked No. 1 the entire 2017 season, while Marshall County brings a 10-3 worksheet into the contest.

SEE SEMIFINALS, PAGE 7B

GREENEVILLE FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

BY TATE RUSSELL | Sun Sports Writer

DORIEN GODDARD

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Friday, November 24, 2017

The Greeneville Sun

Page 3B

TSSAA STATE SEMIFINALS

No Stranger

Marshall County Head Coach Thomas Osteen Was OC Against Greeneville In 2009 And 2011 State Championship Games

BY TATE RUSSELL Sun Sports Writer Tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TSSAA Class 4A VWDWH VHPL¿QDO FRQWHVW DW %XUOH\ 6WDGLXP ZLOO PDUN WKH ¿UVW PHHWLQJ HYHU EHWZHHQ *UHHQHYLOOH DQG 0DUVKDOO &RXQW\ RQ WKH JULGLURQ %XW WKDW GRHVQ¶W PHDQ WKDW WKH WZR VFKRROV DUH FRPSOHWH VWUDQJHUV ZLWK RQH DQRWKHU 0DUVKDOO &RXQW\ KHDG FRDFK 7KRPDV 2VWHHQ ZDV WKH RIIHQVLYH FRRUGLQDWRU DW *LOHV &RXQW\ ZKHQ WKH %REFDWV SOD\HG *UHHQHYLOOH LQ WKH VWDWH FKDPSLRQVKLS JDPH LQ ERWK DQG *LOHV &RXQW\ ZRQ WKH ¿UVW PDWFKXS EHIRUH WKH *UHHQH 'HYLOV UHWXUQHG WKH IDYRU WZR \HDUV ODWHU 'XULQJ DQ LQWHUYLHZ ZLWK 7KH *UHHQHYLOOH 6XQ HDUOLHU WKLV

MARSHALL COUNTY FOOTBALL ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 28-31 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 33, every season since 2010 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: 1, 1984 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1, 1984 HEAD COACH: Thomas Osteen, fourth season (42-10)

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MARSHALL COUNTY FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

BY TATE RUSSELL | Sun Sports Writer

BRANDON ROWAN WR/DB, SENIOR DORIEN GODDARD

BRYCE WALLACE QB, JUNIOR The Tigersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quarterback has been a dependable and trustworthy director of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offense on their way to a 10-3 record. Wallace is the younger brother of former Giles County and Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace, who beat Greeneville 21-14 in the 2009 Class 4A state championship game. The younger Wallace threw for over 2,800 yards last season but hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had to carry as much of the load in 2017, tallying 1,596 yards and 17 touchdowns in 215 pass attempts.

He has only thrown three interceptions this year.

Under Wallaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direction, the Tigers have scored 40 or more points seven times this season and are riding a four-game win streak into the semi¿QDO JDPH :DOODFH FDQ DOVR SXOO WKH EDOO GRZQ and run, and has picked up 546 yards and six touchdowns on the ground this year. Last week against Maplewood he was held to 5-of-9 passing for 94 yards.

TAVI MCLEAN DE, SENIOR McLean is the player on Marshall Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense that Greeneville will have to know where he is on every play. The 6-foot-3, 255 lb. pass rusher has offers from several FCS schools, including ETSU and Chattanooga. Last week in the quarWHU¿QDOV DJDLQVW 0DSOHZRRG 0F/HDQ KDG ¿YH tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Few teams have had success blocking the senior defensive end as he leads the Tigers with 49 solo tackles and 43 assisted tackles. He has stopped runners LQ WKH EDFN¿HOG WLPHV DQG VDFNHG RSSRVLQJ quarterbacks seven times this year. He has also broken up six passes.

KAMRON LIGGETT RB, SENIOR Kamron Liggett is the player to watch for Marshall Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offense, and containing him seems to be the key to beating the Tigers. The senior has rushed for 1,753 yards this season while crossing the goal line 33 times in 13 games. He recently went over the 4,000-yard plateau for his career and is the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time leading rusher.

Liggett has been held under 100 yards four times this season and three of those occasions were in the Tigersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three loses. The 5-11, 210 lb. back mixes power and speed to average 6.6 yards per carry. He also has 18 receptions for 152 yards and a score. Last week in Marshall Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2922 win over Maplewood, Liggett ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns. The week before that he had a 222-yard, three-score performance against Spring Hill. The senior has received offers to play at the next level from a handful of FCS schools.

Wallaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite target this season has been speedy senior Brandon Rowan. The 5-foot-10, 160 lb. receiver leads Marshall County with 41 receptions through 13 games and has 409 receiving yards with four touchdowns. He is one of three receivers for the Tigers who have over 25 receptions and 400 yards receiving. Rowan is also a threat in the return game. He leads the Tigers with 177 kickoff return yards and averages 25 yards per return. He has 90 punt return yards with a 12.9 yard average. On defense, Rowan has 27 tackles on the season with four pass break ups.

DAVE ROBERTS OT, SENIOR

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Roberts is a 6-foot-4, 310 lb. anchor on the Tigersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offensive line, and is a big reason Marshall County has had so much success on offense this season. The senior has already committed to play at Austin Peay University next year. Behind Roberts, the Tigers are running for 201 yards per game and are producing 326 yards of total offense. His powerful blocks have also helped Marshall County score 36.5 points per game on LWV ZD\ WR D WKLUG VWUDLJKW VWDWH VHPL¿QDO WULS

www.greenevillesun.com

Friday, November 24, 2017

The Greeneville Sun

Page 5B

TSSAA STATE SEMIFINALS FINAL FOUR HISTORY Greeneville has advanced to the semiinals of the TSSAA state football playofs ive times in school history. he irst appearance came in 2000 and the other four were in succession, beginning in 2008. Ater losing to Maryville in their irst two trips to the inal four, the Greene Devils advanced to the state championship game in 2009, 2010 and 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; winning the title the latter two years.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

SETHAMANIA 2000 28-12 Loss TO MARYVILLE *UHHQHYLOOHÂśV ÂżUVW HYHU WULS WR WKH VWDWH VHPLÂżQDOV VDZ 0DU\YLOOH VFRUH 28 unanswered after falling behind early. The game began the George Quarles dynasty in Blount County as the Rebels that season went RQ WR ZLQ WKHLU ÂżUVW RI VWDWH WLWOHV XQGHU WKH KHDG FRDFK 0DWW 4XLOOHQ SDVVHG IRU \DUGV IRU WKH 'HYLOV

2008 33-6 Loss TO MARYVILLE 0DU\YLOOH UHFRUGHG LWV WK FRQVHFXWLYH YLFWRU\ WR HDUQ D ÂżIWK VWUDLJKW WULS WR WKH VWDWH ÂżQDOV 7KH 5HEHOV MXPSHG RXW WR D OHDG LQ WKH ÂżUVW TXDUWHU 6HQLRU 7UHYRQ +DOO UXVKHG IRU \DUGV DQG WKUHZ IRU IRU WKH *UHHQH 'HYLOV ,W PDUNHG WKH ÂżQDO JDPH LQ 6WHYH 0F&XUU\ÂśV tenure as Greeneville head coach.

2009, 21-14 win over whiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creek ,Q &DLQH %DOODUGÂśV ÂżUVW VHDVRQ DV head coach, Greeneville earned LWV ÂżUVW HYHU WULS WR WKH VWDWH FKDPSLRQVKLS JDPH % - 6SUDGOLQ and Wes Quarles each rushed for WRXFKGRZQV EHIRUH VRSKRPRUH 7D\ORU 6KXIĂ&#x20AC;HU EORFNHG D SXQW DQG UHWXUQHG LW \DUGV IRU ZKDW SURYHG to be the game-winning score.

Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Senior S Two-Way Standout Has Put Together A Record-Breaking reaking Career Sports Writer

BY TATE RUSSELL | Sun Sports

S

eth Crawford will go down n in Greeneville football lore for his heroic four-interception against Anderson County erception performance p last week.

RI WKH QLJK KW FDPH ZLWK OHIW LQ WKH JDPH DV +LV ÂżQDO SLFN RI WKH QLJKW FDPH ZLWK OHIW LQ WKH JDPH DV QJ WR ÂżQG D SRWHQWLDO JDPH ZLQQLQJ WRXFKGRZQ WKH 0DYHULFNV ZHUH WU\LQJ WR ÂżQG D SRWHQWLDO JDPH ZLQQLQJ WRXFKGRZQ evilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; season seaso on and advanced them to the state It saved the Greene Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; LPH VLQFH

VHPLÂżQDOV IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH VLQFH th interception intercep ption of the season and It was Crawfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ninth efferson to become Greenmoved him past Kori Jefferson eason interception interrception evilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time single season leader. tter is, the But the fact of the matter two-way star has been making ghout his program history throughout hite career in a green and white uniform.

In addition to his mostt recent record-breaking feat, Crawford also has also set Greeneville records for both DQG UHFHLYLQJ \DUGV DQG

LQ D WRXFKGRZQ UHFHSWLRQV LQ D career this season.

Last year he broke thee program n mark for single-season touchdown UHFHSWLRQV ZLWK uality Crawford knows the quality of players who have putt on the fore him and an nd Greeneville uniform before n is appreciative of what he has been able to accomplish thuss far. reco ords,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It means a lot to havee those records,â&#x20AC;? rea ally Crawford said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have worked really hhard and I think those accomplish accomplishork. It means mea ans ments show my hard work. a lot because there havee been a lott of very good players that have come through here, and a lot of them ations.â&#x20AC;? have told me congratulations.â&#x20AC;?

The four-interception night with the game clincher was a awford little more special to Crawford

EHFDXVH RI WKH ZD\ WKH season ended.

Last November in the ayoffs, second round of the playoffs, n run Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s postseason alt came to a screeching halt ouis when Knox Centralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Louis wford McNair got behind Crawford il Mary for a game-winning Hail cats the catch that gave the Bobcats dium. upset win at Burley Stadium. fseason Crawford spent the offseason d thinking about that playy a lot, and he became mends for itt if the situation presented determined to make amends itself during his senior season. going into the offseason,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;That play was a big motivator going ay was stuck stuck in my mind all offseaCrawford said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That play h motivated me a lot son. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still stuck in myy mind. It has d last week k it motivated me to make through the season, and nd seal the game.â&#x20AC;? that last interception and d in those big b situations now. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m more experienced WKH ELJ SOD D\V FRPH WR PH , ZDQW WKH PRUH FRQÂżGHQW QRZ ,I WKH ELJ SOD\V FRPH WR PH , ZDQW WKH SEE SETHMANIA, PAGE 7B

2010, 17-7 Win over maplewood

2011, 42-21 win over giles county

6HQLRU % - 6SUDGOLQ FDUULHG WKH EDOO WLPHV LQ D FUXFLDO WLPH FRQVXPLQJ GULYH LQ WKH IRXUWK TXDUWHU WKDW UHVXOWHG LQ D %HQ 2JOH ÂżHOG JRDO WR KHOS WKH 'HYLOV VXUYLYH 6SUDdlin had a 56-yard touchdown run HDUOLHU LQ WKH JDPH DQG ÂżQLVKHG ZLWK JURXQG \DUGV 7D\ORU 6KXIĂ&#x20AC;HU VFRUHG RQ D \DUG SDVV IURP :LOlie Carmichael.

Greeneville earned its ts third FRQVHFXWLYH WULS WR WKH VWDWH KH VWDWH FKDPSLRQVKLS JDPH E\ ZLQQLQJ D E\ ZLQQLQ QJ D UHPDWFK RI WKH WLWOH WLOW 7D\ORU WLWOH WLOW 7D\ORU 7 6KXIĂ&#x20AC;HU VFRUHG WKUHH VHFRQG KDOI H VHFRQG KDOI WRXFKGRZQV DQG ÂżQLVKHG ZLWK VKHG ZLWK UXVKLQJ \DUGV -DPHO +DOO DGGHG HO +DOO DGG GHG yards and a score on n the ground, grou und, while Tanner Stewart rt ran for 88 8 yards and two touchdowns. downs.

Page 6B

The Greeneville Sun

www.greenevillesun.com

Friday, November 24, 2017

TSSAA STATE SEMIFINALS

#BlackFridayAtBurley ฀ ฀

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GREENEVILLE GREENE DEVILS Date Opponent 8/18 8/25 9/1 9/8 9/15 9/29 10/6 10/13 10/20 10/27

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MARSHALL COUNTY TIGERS

Result

Dobyns-Bennett W, 35-21 at Morristown West W, 38-14 Union County W, 62-7 at Science Hill W, 42-26 Pisgah (N.C.) W, 38-8 at Sullivan Central W, 69-0 Sullivan South W, 56-7 at Elizabethton W, 24-10 Grainger W, 42-0 at Sullivan East W, 62-7

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Date Opponent

Result

8/18 8/25 9/2 9/15 9/22 9/28 10/6 10/13 10/20 10/27

L, 20-27 W, 51-27 W, 42-35 W, 26-12 L, 24-28 W, 59-0 W, 49-28 W, 34-27 L, 7-49 W, 49-6

Cane Ridge Shelbyville at Tullahoma at Maplewood at Pearl Cohn at Lawrence Co. Giles County Spring Hill at Brentwood Nolensville

TSSAA CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS 11/3 East Ridge W, 56-7 11/10 Chatt. Central W, 49-12 11/17 Anderson County W, 35-31

TSSAA CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS 11/3 DeKalb County W, 42-0 11/10 Spring Hill W, 42-21 11/17 Maplewood W, 29-22

2017 ROSTER

2017 ROSTER

1 Nick Iezzi Fr. WR 2 Cade Ballard Jr. QB 3 Nathaniel Moon Sr. WR 4 Blayne Ferguson So. QB 5 Garrin Shuffler Jr. LB 6 Jacques Gillespie-Taylor Jr. DL 7 Branson Odell Jr. DB 8 Johnathan Freshour Sr. WR 9 Will Lowery Jr. LB 10 Logan Shipley Jr. DL 11 Dorien Goddard Jr. WR 12 Josh Wallin Jr. WR 13 Raymond Knuckles So. WR 14 Dalton McLain Jr. DB 15 Matthew Wagner Jr. LB 16 Layton Mitchell So. DL 17 Jake Godwin Sr. WR 18 Jamion Thompson Sr. WR 19 Garrison Brooks Jr. LB 20 Jaevon Gillespie Jr. RB 21 Cameron Hite Jr. WR 22 Morgan Montgomery Jr. RB 23 Seth Crawford Sr. WR 24 Jaden Pruitt So. DB 25 Eli Shepherd Sr. PK 26 Will Albright So. LB 27 Michael Moore So. LB 28 Tristan Casebrier Jr. WR 29 Tyler Marsh Jr. DL 30 Keyontae Harrison So. DB 31 Ethan Zook Sr. WR 32 Ben Christian Sr. DL 33 Kenny Kershaw Jr. LB 35 CJ Henley Fr. WR 36 Stephen Myers Fr. WR 41 Parker Burns So. TE 42 Robert Freeman Jr. WR 44 Cade Miles Sr. PK 45 Lane Doane Jr. TE 46 Jordan Batson So. LB 47 Ty Youngblood So. LB 48 Trey Mayes Fr. RB 50 Sam Allen Fr. OL 52 Trent Knight Jr. OL 53 Alec Crum Jr. DL 54 Chris Everhart So. OL 55 Tristan McDonald Fr. OL 57 Clayton Odom Fr. OL 59 Devin Dye So. OL 60 Tommy Taylor Jr. OL 61 Jackson Metcalfe Jr. DL 62 AJ Greenway So. DL 63 Spencer Schofield Fr. DL 64 Miseal Arellanes Fr. OL 66 Trevor Belcher Jr. OL 67 Grayson Jennings Sr. DL 70 Nick Rideout Sr. OL 71 Austin Saylor Jr. OL 73 Thomas Carater Jr. OL 75 Grant Busler So. DL 76 Gabriel Seaton Jr. OL 78 Jake Hartman Fr. OL 80 CeJ Jones So. PK 83 Matt Wallin So. OL 87 Todd Wallin Fr. WR 88 Reid Cannon Fr. WR

OTHER CLASS 4A SEMIFINAL The winner of Friday’s game between Greeneville and Marshall County will meet the winner of Haywood (11-2) and Springfield (10-3) in the Class 4A state championship game in Cookeville next week.

GREENEVILLE TEAM LEADERS

MARSHALL CO. TEAM LEADERS

PASSING Att. Cade Ballard 161 Blayne Ferguson 20

Comp. Yards TD 196 2772 33 29 226 1

INT 5 1

PASSING Att. Bryce Wallace 129 Christian Stacey 4

Comp. Yards TD 215 1596 17 6 24 1

INT 3 0

RUSHING Cade Ballard Ty Youngblood Jaevon Gillespie Morgan Montgomery

Att. 141 94 70 28

Yards 762 614 595 163

TD 14 12 11 3

YPR 5.4 6.5 8.5 5.8

RUSHING Kamron Liggett Bryce Wallace Hunter Cummings

Att. 265 146 23

Yards 1753 546 137

TD 33 6 2

YPR 6.6 3.7 6.0

RECEIVING Dorien Goddard Seth Crawford Cameron Hite Nathaniel Moon Jamian Thompson

Rec. 58 41 27 19 16

Yards 944 842 458 236 272

TD 12 12 7 1 2

YPC 16.3 20.5 17.0 12.4 17.0

RECEIVING Brandon Rowan Devontavious Wilson Christian Stacey Kamron Liggett

Rec. 41 33 25 18

Yards 409 522 439 142

TD 3 8 4 1

YPC 10.0 15.8 17.6 8.4

DEFENSE Tck Ty Youngblood 130 Kenny Kershaw 121 J. Gillespie-Taylor 93 Seth Crawford 42 Cameron Hite 81

TFL 3 6 17 2 7

DEFENSE Tck T McLean 92 Grant Agnew 79 Hunter Cummings 64 Marcellus Campbell 50

TFL 13 0 9 1

Sack 1 0 8 0 0

Int 1 0 1 9 3

FF 0 0 5 0 1

FR 0 1 1 0 0

Sack 7 0 2 0

Int 0 0 2 5

FF 2 1 1 1

FR 4 0 0 0

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 46 47 50 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 84 85 86 87

Caleb Estes Miciah Greer Aiky Howard Grant Agnew Kamron Hightower Dagon Stacy Javarria Rucker Tavi McLean Steven Shirey Devontavious Wilson Bryce Wallace Brandon Rowan Matt Runions Malik Thomison Mason Warner Hunter Cummings Christian Stacey Caleb Darnell Hayden Sheppard Andrew Gold Marcellus Campbell Kaden Whitson Hunter Lancaster Antonio Warren Silas Hurt Billy Cheek Elijah Taylor Rigkyous Summers Roshon Desai Carlos Alvarez Kyrese Harris Solomon Tyson Shamari Butler Will Medley Joseph Gold Hunter Rolof Connor Hilton William Fleming Joseph Freeland Kel Greer Jacob Reilly Ethan Petty Keylin Talley Logan McKnight Jacob Jackson Noe Eusebo Pablo Javion Brown Chanler McMahon Joshua Johnson Matthew Fuller Trey Cozart Carson Harwll Damon Wilkins Austin Wright Halen Bryant Jason Donisa Taylor Clark Omari Armstrong Terry Gulley Gannon McMahon Sam Vines Matthew Hazlett C.J.Hunter Kevontez Allen Kris Hall Jayshon Wilcox Xzavier Garrett Micah Rhea Marcus McCord Abel Gray David Roberts Matthew Goodman Ethan Miller Dravin West Edgar Martinez Michael Howard Jon Estes Jeff Carls Jordan Lord Camryn Ruiz

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PK DB WR WR RB TE DB DL DL WR QB WR WR DB LB DL QB WR DB DB DB RB LB DB DB LB RB LB LB LB DB LB DB DB LB WR DB DB LB FB LB LB DL DL WR OL DL LB DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL DL DL OL DL DL DL OL DL OL OL OL WR PK WR WR DB DL WR

BY DARREN REESE | Sun Sports Editor

C

aine Ballard was a rookie head coach in 2009, the year Greeneville High School made its irst-ever appearance in the state football championship

game. he Greene Devils lost that year – they later won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 – but Ballard remembers so much of that day fondly.

“One of the most special things is leaving town and having the support of the town lining the streets and stuf,” Ballard recalled Wednesday evening. “Our school will be out there to see the guys of. he town will be lined up. hat’s the fun part.”

“And then dressing in the locker room and coming out to see the community and the crowd in the stands there to support you. hat’s pretty special.”

In just one day, Ballard will get to introduce a completely new group of Greene Devils to that feeling. Greeneville will leave the high school at 9 a.m. in the morning to head to Cookeville for the 2017 TSSAA Class 4A Blue Cross Bowl at Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium.

Kick-of against the Springield Yellow Jackets is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT (4 p.m. locally). It will be Greeneville’s irst appearance in the title game since it last won it all in 2011.

“It never gets old,” Ballard said. “If we would have done this 15 times in a row, it wouldn’t be old. his is a special week.”

“Every player, every coach sets out to do this. It’s a dream for every kid to make it, and so few get to experience it. We’ve got several coaches making their irst trip. I’m super excited for everyone.”

Greeneville enters the game with a perfect 14-0 record, having been ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 4A the entire season.

Springield (11-3), meanwhile, was unranked at the end of the regular season before going on what coach Dustin Wilson calls a “storybook” run through the playofs. he Yellow Jackets have won their four playof games by a combined 22 points and trailed in each one of them at some point. Last week they upset No. 4 Haywood 35-28 to advance to the championship game for the irst time since they won the title in 1993. hat was the only inals appearance in school history prior to this season. “he fact that they are riding a wave, that’s deinitely a concern,” Ballard said. “hey are talented. hey have a good football team. hey are coming into this feeling good, as they should be. It should be a great game.”

Springield has certainly been the Cinderella story of the postseason.

Not only have they pulled upset after upset, but they are led by Wilson and his brother, Drew Wilson, who serves as defensive coordinator. hey are both Springield graduates who returned to their alma mater to turn around the struggling football program. he Yellow Jackets bring a balanced ofense into the contest, rushing for

GHS head football coach Caine Ballard

SEE GAME, PAGE 8B

P

laying for your high school state championship is the best team accomplishment that you can achieve in all levels of sports. I played in some of the best atmospheres and against top-ranked teams in college football and it doesn’t compare to those Friday night lights with the guys you’ve grown up with and played ball with your entire life – especially when there is a gold ball on the line. I was lucky enough to play in three state title games. There is no better feeling than knowing that all \PM PIZL _WZS \PI\ aW]¼^M JMMV X]\\QVO QV _Q\P aW]Z JZW\PMZ[ PI[ ÅVITTa XIQL W‫? ٺ‬PI\ +WIKP *ITTIZL IVL the rest of the Greeneville program have accomplished this year is very special, and if you know how hard those coaches and players work every single day then you know they deserve and have earned the right to JM XTIaQVO QV +WWSM^QTTM NWZ I [\I\M \Q\TM *]\ R][\ UISQVO Q\ \W \PM KPIUXQWV[PQX OIUM Q[V¼\ OWQVO \W [I\Q[Na anyone in the Greeneville family. They have to go out there and play fast, loose, and physical like they have ITT aMIZ 1 SVW_ \PM KWIKPM[ _QTT PI^M \PMU XZMXIZML IVL ZMILa \W XTIa IVL WVKM \PMa _ITS WV\W \PI\ ÅMTL see those lights and hear that crowd, then I know they will be ready to win.

Good luck to all the coaches and players.

–

It’s time to bring number three back to Greeneville!

Trell Rllins Former Greene Devil 2011 Mr. Football and state championship game MVP

Page 2B

The Greeneville Sun

www.greenevillesun.com

Thursday, November 30, 2017

GREENEVILLE FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

CADE BALLARD

SETH CRAWFORD Senior, wr/cb

Junior, Quarterback Class 4A Mr. Football

Over the past two seasons, one of quarterback Cade Ballardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite targets has been senior speedster Seth Crawford. Crawford holds three Greeneville High School receiving records, including career receiving yards (1,936) career receiving touchdown (30), and single-season receiving touchdowns (17). On defense, Crawford set the single-season interceptions mark with a four-pick SHUIRUPDQFH LQ WKH VWDWH TXDUWHUÂżQDOV against Anderson County. He added another last week against Marshall County and now has 10 for the season. He is the Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; deep threat on RIIHQVH DQG 6SULQJÂżHOGÂśV VHFRQGDU\ will always have to be aware of where he is and not let him get behind them or it will be costly. Crawford has 43 catches on the season for 875 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is averaging 20.3 yards per reception.

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JAMIAN THOMPSON Senior, wr/CB Jamian Thompson is a dynamic difference maker on both offense and defense. He will be a tough matchup IRU 6SULQJÂżHOGÂśV VHFRQGDU\ DQG LV D lock-down corner on the other side of the ball. Thompson was Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth receiving option through most of the season, but over the last two weeks he has made some big plays as a pass catcher. He had an 89-yard touchdown catch against Anderson County in the third round and then caught a team-high seven passes for 89 yards and a score last week against Marshall County. On defense, he has helped make it tough for other teams to throw as the Devils are allowing opposing passers to completing just 55 percent of their attempts.

Thompson can also be dangerous in the return game. While he has not broke one this season, he did have a punt return for a touchdown last year.

CAMERON HITE JUNIOR, WR/S Cameron Hite is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. When he is on defense, he plays the role of a hard-hitting safety that makes receivers wary of going across the PLGGOH RI WKH ÂżHOG /LVWHG DW IRRW 3, 215 lbs., Hite has the length and strength to pull down any passes and get the tough yards to keep the chains moving. On the season, he has 472 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He scored Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ÂżUVW WRXFKGRZQ RI WKH QLJKW ODVW ZHHN against Marshall County on a play in which he lined up as a tight end.

Hite is also one of Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best blockers on the perimeter and will spring plays for the other playmakers.

On defense, the big safety has 77 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and WKUHH LQWHUFHSWLRQV /DVW ZHHN DJDLQVW Marshall County, he had nine tackles and a forced fumble.

LOGAN SHIPLEY JUNIOR, DE /RJDQ 6KLSOH\ LV D IRUFH RQ WKH defensive line for the Greene Devils.

The junior missed a handful of games late in the season, but last week in WKH VWDWH VHPLÂżQDOV DJDLQVW 0DUVKDOO County he came up big with 11 tackles, including three tackles for a loss.

At 6-foot-2, 230 lbs. with good speed, Shipley is tough for almost any offensive tackle to block. He has 78 tackles and nine tackles for a loss on the year, in what at times has been limited action. He has sacked opposing quarterbacks twice and has a forced a fumble. Now that he is fully healthy, Shipley and Jacques Gillespie-Taylor will be a nightmare combination on the edge that should terrify both TXDUWHUEDFNV 6SULQJÂżHOG SXWV EHKLQG center on Friday in Cookeville.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

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JDPH RI IRRWEDOO ´ VKH ODWHU VDLG 7KH QH[W GD\ WKH IDPLO\ VDW GRZQ WR GLVFXVV WKH VLWXDWLRQ DQG VKDUHG ORWV RI WHDUV /DWHU WKDW ZHHN *DUULQ ZDV GLDJQRVHG ZLWK *UDYHVÂś 'LVHDVH ² DQ LPPXQH V\VWHP GLVRUGHU ZKLFK UHVXOWV LQ WKH RYHUSURGXFWLRQ RI WK\URLG KRUPRQHV +H LV FXUUHQWO\ RQ PHGLFDWLRQ DQG KDV WR KDYH EORRG WHVWV HYHU\ WZR ZHHNV EXW KLV KHDOWK VWDWXV LV QRZ JRRG HQRXJK IRU KLP WR SOD\ IRRWEDOO VDIHO\ DQG ZLWKRXW IHHOLQJ LOO SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE )ULGD\ QLJKW Greeneville head coach Caine Ballard and junior linebacker KH ZLOO WU\ WR .HYYPU :O\É&#x160;LY ZOHYL H O\N MVSSV^PUN SHZ[ ^LLRÂťZ Z[H[L ZLTPFDS RĚ&#x2020; ZKDW KDV Ă&#x201E;UHS ^PU V]LY 4HYZOHSS *V\U[` H[ )\YSL` :[HKP\T EHHQ D QLJKWPDUH PRQWK VWUHWFK *DUULQÂśV ERG\ ZDV WU\LQJ WR JR LQWR ZKDW E\ UHDOL]LQJ D FKLOGKRRG GUHDP KHOSLQJ ZDV NQRZQ DV D ÂłWK\URLG VWRUP´ *UHHQHYLOOH ZLQ D VWDWH IRRWEDOO FKDPSL,WÂśV D FRQGLWLRQ WKDW LV DVVRFLDWHG ZLWK RQVKLS XQWUHDWHG K\SHUWK\URLGLVP Âł:H DUH VWLOO SUDLVLQJ *RG ´ /DQQD $FFRUGLQJ WR +HDOWKOLQH FRP ÂłGXULQJ D VDLG Âł*DUULQ LV KHUH SOD\LQJ WKH JDPH KH WK\URLG VWRUP DQ LQGLYLGXDOÂśV KHDUW UDWH ORYHV ZLWK WKH SHRSOH KH ORYHV ´ EORRG SUHVVXUH DQG ERG\ WHPSHUDWXUH 7KH IDFW WKDW *DUULQ LV EDFN VWDUWLQJ IRU FDQ VRDU WR GDQJHURXVO\ KLJK OHYHOV ´ WKH *UHHQHYLOOH GHIHQVH LV D WHVWDPHQW $QG VR /DQQD GLG WKH RQO\ WKLQJ VKH WR WKH ZRUG DOO RI KLV FRDFKHV XVH WR NQHZ WR DW WKDW PRPHQW GHVFULEH KLP Âł, GURSSHG WR P\ NQHHV DQG VWDUWHG Âł7KH JX\V ORRN WR KLP IRU WKDW WRXJKSUD\LQJ ´ VKH VDLG Âł, KDG WRWDO SHDFH QHVV ´ %DOODUG VDLG DQG /DUU\ DQG , FKRVH QRW WR WHOO DQ\/DWHU WKH KHDG FRDFK DGGHG Âł+HÂśV RQH ERG\ XQWLO DIWHU WKH JDPH *RG KDG KLP RI WKH WRXJK JX\V IRU VXUH ´ WKH HQWLUH WLPH Âł:KHQ , GLH , ZDQW WR EH GRLQJ VRPHWKLQJ , ORYH DV PXFK DV *DUULQ ORYHV WKH

SEE SHUFFLER, PAGE 8B

www.greenevillesun.com

Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Greeneville Sun

Page 3B

GREENEVILLE DEPTH CHART

GREENEVILLE GREENE DEVILS Date Opponent

Result

8/18 Dobyns-Bennett W, 35-21 8/25 at Morristown West W, 38-14 9/1 Union County W, 62-7 9/8 at Science Hill W, 42-26 9/15 Pisgah (N.C.) W, 38-8 9/29 at Sullivan Central W, 69-0 10/6 Sullivan South W, 56-7 10/13 at Elizabethton W, 24-10 10/20 Grainger W, 42-0 10/27 at Sullivan East W, 62-7 TSSAA CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS 11/3 East Ridge W, 56-7 11/10 Chatt. Central W, 49-12 11/17 Anderson County W, 35-31 11/24 Marshall County W, 49-24

QB # 2 Cade Ballard (5-09/200/Jr.) # 4 Blayne Ferguson (5-09/150/So.) RB #47 Ty Youngblood (5-11/195/So.) #20 Jaevon Gillespie (5-09/185/Jr.) WR #18 Jamion Thompson (5-10/170/Sr.) # 3 Nathaniel Moon (5-10/155/Sr.) WR #11 Dorien Goddard (6-03/220/Jr.) # 1 Nick Iezzi (5-09/170/Fr.) WR #23 Seth Crawford (5-10/160/Sr.) #31 Ethan Zook (6-00/180/Sr.) WR #21 Cameron Hite (6-03/215/Jr.) # 8 Johnathan Freshour (6-01/170/Sr.) LT #60 Tommy Taylor (6-02/265/Jr.) #76 Gabriel Seaton (5-11/295/Jr.) LG #52 Trent Knight (5-10/190/Jr.) #73 Thomas Carter (5-11/315/Jr.)

QB # 2 Cade Ballard (5-09/200/Jr.) # 4 Blayne Ferguson (5-09/150/So.) RB #47 Ty Youngblood (5-11/195/So.) #20 Jaevon Gillespie (5-09/185/Jr.) WR #18 Jamion Thompson (5-10/170/Sr.) # 3 Nathaniel Moon (5-10/155/Sr.) WR #11 Dorien Goddard (6-03/220/Jr.) # 1 Nick Iezzi (5-09/170/Fr.) WR #23 Seth Crawford (5-10/160/Sr.) #31 Ethan Zook (6-00/180/Sr.) WR #21 Cameron Hite (6-03/215/Jr.) # 8 Johnathan Freshour (6-01/170/Sr.) LT #60 Tommy Taylor (6-02/265/Jr.) #76 Gabriel Seaton (5-11/295/Jr.) LG #52 Trent Knight (5-10/190/Jr.) #73 Thomas Carter (5-11/315/Jr.)

C #59 Devin Dye (5-11/290/So.) #27 Michael Moore (5-09/205/So.) RG #54 Chris Everhart (6-03/305/So.) #66 Trevor Belcher (5-10/235/Jr.) RT #70 Nick Rideout (6-03/300/Sr.) #50 Sam Allen (5-11/210/Fr.) H #17 Jake Godwin (5-11/145/Sr.) # 1 Nick Iezzi (5-09/170/Fr.)

C #59 Devin Dye (5-11/290/So.) #27 Michael Moore (5-09/205/So.) RG #54 Chris Everhart (6-03/305/So.) #66 Trevor Belcher (5-10/235/Jr.) RT #70 Nick Rideout (6-03/300/Sr.) #50 Sam Allen (5-11/210/Fr.) PK/P #25 Eli Sheperd (5-11/220/Sr.) #80 Cej Jones (5-10/140/So.)

2017 ROSTER Fr.

2 Cade Ballard 3 Nathaniel Moon 4 Blayne Ferguson

Jr. QB Sr. WR So. QB

WR

5 Garrin Shuffler Jr. LB 6 Jacques Gillespie-Taylor Jr. DL 7 Branson Odell Jr. DB Johnathan Freshour Will Lowery Logan Shipley Dorien Goddard

Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

WR LB DL WR

12 Josh Wallin 13 Raymond Knuckles 14 Dalton McLain

Jr. WR So. WR Jr. DB

15 Matthew Wagner 16 Layton Mitchell 17 Jake Godwin

Jr. LB So. DL Sr. WR

18 19 20 21

Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

Jamion Thompson Garrison Brooks Jaevon Gillespie Cameron Hite

WR LB RB WR

22 Morgan Montgomery Jr. RB 23 Seth Crawford Sr. WR 24 Jaden Pruitt So. DB 25 Eli Shepherd 26 Will Albright 27 Michael Moore

Sr. PK So. LB So. LB

28 29 30 31

Jr. Jr. So. Sr.

WR DL DB WR

32 Ben Christian 33 Kenny Kershaw 35 CJ Henley

Sr. Jr. Fr.

DL LB WR

36 Stephen Myers 41 Parker Burns 42 Robert Freeman

Fr. WR So. TE Jr. WR

44 Cade Miles

Sr.

Tristan Casebrier Tyler Marsh Keyontae Harrison Ethan Zook

PK

45 Lane Doane 46 Jordan Batson

Jr. TE So. LB

47 48 50 52

So. Fr. Fr. Jr.

Ty Youngblood Trey Mayes Sam Allen Trent Knight

LB RB OL OL

53 Alec Crum 54 Chris Everhart 55 Tristan McDonald

Jr. DL So. OL Fr. OL

57 Clayton Odom 59 Devin Dye 60 Tommy Taylor

Fr. OL So. OL Jr. OL

61 62 63 64

Jackson Metcalfe AJ Greenway Spencer Schofield Miseal Arellanes

Jr. So. Fr. Fr.

DL DL DL OL

66 Trevor Belcher 67 Grayson Jennings 70 Nick Rideout

Jr. Sr. Sr.

OL DL OL

71 Austin Saylor 73 Thomas Carater 75 Grant Busler

Jr. OL Jr. OL So. DL

76 77 78 80

Jr. So. Fr. So.

Gabriel Seaton Flint Carter Jake Hartman CeJ Jones

83 Matt Wallin 87 Todd Wallin 88 Reid Cannon

Date Opponent

OL OL OL PK

So. OL Fr. WR Fr. WR

Result

8/18 at Gallatin L, 7-24 8/25 Clarksville W, 34-14 9/2 White House Htge. W, 33-2 9/8 at Station Camp W, 39-26 9/15 at White House L, 14-16 9/22 Beech L, 0-49 10/6 at Montgomery Ctrl. W, 41-0 10/13 Portland W, 40-7 10/20 Greenbrier W, 28-14 10/27 at Creek Wood W, 42-0 TSSAA CLASS 4A PLAYOFFS 11/3 Hardin County W, 20-10 11/10 at Lexington W, 18-14 11/17 at Jack. South Side W, 23-22 11/24 Haywood W, 35-28

2017 ROSTER

SPRINGFIELD DEPTH CHART

1 Nick Iezzi

8 9 10 11

SPRINGFIELD YELLOW JACKETS

QB #17 Luke Petitt (Sr.) #32 Bryan Hayes (Jr.) TB #41 Matthew Hall (Sr.) #88 Montrell Baker (Jr.)

DE #66 Joshua Johns (Sr.) #88 Montrell Baker (Jr.)

3 4

Travion Woodard

Sr.

DT #50 Harlen Zirker (Jr.) #33 Thomas Gregory (Sr.)

5

Kevontez Hudson

Fr.

FB #45 Benjamin Galluzzi (Jr.) #48 Christian Trujillo (So.)

6

Cory Bigsbee

Jr.

N #55 Keyon Brewer (Sr.) #76 Caleb Binkley (Sr.)

8

Keith Jones

Jr.

WR #23 Dayron Johnson (Jr.) #16 Brandon Coleman-Jones (Jr.)

DE #10 Tanner May (Sr.) #60 Tyler Dubowsky (Sr.)

9

Kevontay White

So.

10

Tanner May

Sr.

WR # 4 Travion Woodard (Sr.) # 6 Cory Bigsbee (Jr.)

R #28 James Davis (Sr.) #48 Christian Trujillo (So.) M #34 Jesse Boucher (Sr.) #27 Yonel Rodriguez Diaz (So.)

13

D’Corion Bryant

Sr.

14

Ricardo Estrella Rojas

So.

16

Brandon Coleman-Jones Jr.

17

Luke Petitt

Sr.

W #45 Benjamin Galluzzi (Jr.) #41 Matthew Hall (Sr.)

18

Colton Wacter

Jr.

LG #51 Logan Holland (Sr.) #66 Joshua Johns (Sr.)

19

David Madrid

Jr.

J #32 Bryan Hayes (Jr.) #51 Logan Holland (Sr.)

20

Gabriel Kelly

Fr.

C #79 Trevoughn Ellis (Jr.) #60 Tyler Dubowsky (Sr.)

C #13 D’Corion Bryant (Sr.) #4 Travion Woodard (Sr.)

23

Dayron Johnson

Jr.

24

Carlos Carrillo Diaz

Fr.

FS #23 Dayron Johnson (Jr.) #80 Kameron Calderon (Sr.) C # 9 Kevontay White (So.) # 6 Cory Bigsbee (Jr.)

25

Cameron Phillips

Fr.

27

Yonel Rodriguez Diaz

So.

28

James Davis

Sr.

29

Erik Moshan Guzman

So.

P #32 Bryan Hayes (Jr.) # 5 Kevontez Hudson (Fr.)

30

Chase Haynie

Sr.

31

Nicholas Haynes

Sr.

32

Bryan Hayes

Jr.

33

Thomas Gregory

Sr.

34

Jessie Boucher

Sr.

35

Tyrekus Garrett

Fr.

38

John White

Fr.

41

Matthew Hall

Sr.

42

Kamrin Garrett

Fr.

43

David Neal

So.

45

Benjamin Galluzzi

Jr.

48

Christian Trujillo

So.

49

Ke’varis Lark

Fr.

50

Harlen Zirker

Jr.

51

Logan Hollan

Sr.

54

Davian Jones

Fr.

55

Keyon Brewer

Sr.

56

Tristan Howard

Sr.

57

Dustin Noble

Fr.

59

Clayton Wells

Fr.

WR #13 D’Corion Bryant (Sr.) #80 Kameron Calderon (Sr.) LT #76 Caleb Binkley (Sr.) #28 James Davis (Sr.)

RG #50 Harlen Zirker (Jr.) #62 Roger Haley (Fr.) RT #77 Austin Deberry (Sr.) #63 David Stiltner (So.) LS #60 Tyler Dubowsky (Sr.) #45 Benjamin Galluzzi (Jr.) PK #19 David Madrid (Jr.) #18 Colton Wachter (Jr.)

TEAM COMPARISON GREENEVILLE 272 650/46.4 174/12.4 446/2,789 199-247-3148-36-6 5,937 3,328 703 16/27.8 10/8 82/688 290:08

SPRINGFIELD 114 374/26.7 226/16.1 420/2645 125-240-2061-20-15 4,652 3,231 901 36/28.0 23/13 93/923 301:54

First Downs Points Scored Points Allowed Rushes/Yards C/A/Y/TD/INT Total Yards Yards Allowed Return Yards Punts/Average Fumbles/Lost Penalities/Yards Time Of Possession

GREENEVILLE TEAM LEADERS PASSING Comp Cade Ballard 174 Blayne Ferguson 20

Att 212 29

SPRINGFIELD TEAM LEADERS Yards TD 2,930 35 226 1

INT 5 1

PASSING Luke Petitt Bryan Hayes

YPR 5.8 6.6 8.5 5.8

RUSHING Keith Jones Bryan Hayes Montrell Baker Matthew Hall

Comp 74 51

Att 136 102

Yards TD 1,286 12 870 7

INT 9 6

Freeman Reams

Sr.

60

Tyler Dubowsky

Sr.

62

Roger Haley

Fr.

63

David Stiltner

So

65Emmanuel Barbee Pennington Fr.

RUSHING Cade Ballard Ty Youngblood Jaevon Gillespie Morgan Montgomery

Att. 149 100 76 28

RECEIVING Dorien Goddard Seth Crawford Cameron Hite Jamian Thompson Nathaniel Moon

Rec. 60 43 29 23 19

DEFENSE Tck Ty Youngblood 141 Kenny Kershaw 134 J. Gillespie-Taylor 106 Seth Crawford 47 Cameron Hite 91

TFL 3 6 17 2 7

Yards 864 663 649 163 Yards 966 875 472 361 236 Sack 1 0 10 0 0

฀

฀ ฀

฀

TD 16 14 12 3 TD 12 12 8 3 1

Int 1 0 1 10 3

YPC 16.1 20.3 16.3 15.7 12.4

FF 0 0 5 0 2

FR 0 1 1 0 0

฀

฀ ฀

Att. 119 68 52 51

RECEIVING Dayron Johnson D’Corion Bryant Travion Woodard DEFENSE Jesse Boucher Harlen Zirker Josh Johns D’Corion Bryant Keyon Brewer

฀ ฀

Yards 997 616 347 150

Rec. 48 34 29 Tck 96 81 55 43 50

Yards 1,004 470 536

TFL 13 26 20 1 18

฀

฀ ฀

Sack 1 1 3 0 4

TD 10 3 7

Int 1 1 0 5 0

฀ ฀

TD 13 6 3 6

฀ ฀

฀

FF 2 5 1 2 1

฀

YPR 8.4 9.1 6.7 3.0

66

Joshua Johns

Sr.

67

Logan Parker

So.

68

Nathen Griffith

So.

70

De’marion Wynn

Fr.

YPC 20.9 13.82 18.5

71

Fisher Davis

Fr.

73

Joshua Finch

So.

74

Zacharie Glass

Fr.

75

Tristan Petit

Fr.

FR 3 0 3 1 0

76

Caleb Binkley

Sr.

77

Austin Deberry

Sr.

78

Wilfredo Juarez

Jr.

79

Trevoughn Ellis

Jr.

80

Kameron Calderon

Sr.

82

Justin Carr

Sr.

83

Joseph Poe

Fr.

84

Jacob Hardy

Jr.

88

Montrell Baker

Jr.

Page 4B

The Greeneville Sun

www.greenevillesun.com

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Spradlenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wolvesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ready To Make One More Statement Defense Coach Credits His Playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Intelligence For Strong Play, Led By â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Quarterbackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Kenny Kershaw At LB

BY DARREN REESE Sun Sports Editor We all probably remember the fairy tales growing up that featured the big, bad wolf.

You know, the main antagonist in such stories as the Three Little Pigs or Little Red Riding Hood.

The character was normally based on predation. He was sly and sneaky. He was mean and scary.

Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defensive unit adopted the nickname â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Wolvesâ&#x20AC;? for 2017, which is very ÂżWWLQJ $IWHU DOO RSSRVLQJ RĚ&#x2020;HQVLYH coordinators probably have plenty of nightmares and sleepless nights when trying to game plan for the Greene Devils.

Try your luck against the Greene Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; secondary?

There waits Seth Crawford and his school record 10 interceptions this season. If a receiver comes across the middle, safety Cameron Hite makes him pay more times than not.

Try to run outside? Linebackers Ty Youngblood and Kenny Kershaw are not only fast and athletic, but are also sure tacklers. They have 141 and 134 stops, respectively.

What about your quarterback in the pocket? Well, his time there will be short-lived as defensive ends Logan Shipley and Jacques Gillespie-Taylor have combined for 26 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks.

Everywhere you look, when the green jerseys are on that

VHPLÂżQDOLVWV for the Tennessee Titans Class 4A Mr. Football Award, which was won Monday

by Greeneville quarterback Cade Ballard.

Chattanooga Central brought Michael Jamahl McGhee to Burley Stadium, Anderson County had Stanton Martin and last week Marshall County countered with Kamron Hightower-Liggett.

Liggett managed just 70 rushing yards in a 49-24 loss to the Devils. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is somebody each week that we can SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This is their Greeneville defensive players Jacques Gillespie-Taylor (6), Cameron Hite (21), 3VNHU :OPWSL` .HYYPU :O\É&#x160;LY HUK 2LUU` 2LYZOH^ JVTIPUL [V dude, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to stop himâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?, THRL H [HJRSL K\YPUN SHZ[ ^LLRÂťZ Z[H[L ZLTPĂ&#x201E;UHS ^PU HNHPUZ[ 4HYZOHSS *V Spradlen noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you tell side of the ball there are playTheyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve faced some tough ofa kid that somemakers at every level. fenses over the past few weeks body is good, they are going to Âł7KH ZKROH JURXS WKH\ Ă&#x20AC;\ and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve answered the call be motivated and get after it.â&#x20AC;? around and get after people,â&#x20AC;? every time.â&#x20AC;?

6SULQJÂżHOG EULQJV D ELJ SOD\ Greeneville defensive coorGreenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense has threat of its own into this dinator Eddie Spradlen said. allowed just 12.4 points per weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game in the form of â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a lot of experienced game in the Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; run to this Dayron â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fat Catâ&#x20AC;? Johnson. dudes over there who have weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class 4A state champiSpradlen said the key is to not played a lot of football.â&#x20AC;? onship game in Cookeville. allow the Yellow Jackets to live â&#x20AC;&#x153;They take a lot of pride in 'XULQJ WKH SOD\RĚ&#x2020;V WKH RĚ&#x2020; WKH ELJ SOD\V what they do. They are smart XQLW KDV IDFHG WKUHH RĚ&#x2020;HQBut as for scheming, Sprakids. They are talented kids. sive players who were named dlen admits that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business

as usual for the Greeneville defense as they prepare for one more game in the 2017 season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not one of those coaches that is going to out-scheme everybody,â&#x20AC;? he admitted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get them in the weight room and we practice hard. Come Friday, if we get them to line up where they need to be and play hard, good things are going to happen.â&#x20AC;?

Spradlen isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exaggerating.

In fact, Anderson County coach Davey Gillum called Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense â&#x20AC;&#x153;vanillaâ&#x20AC;? prior to WKHLU VWDWH TXDUWHUÂżQDO PHHWLQJ two weeks ago.

Spradlen doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deny it, though he takes the words with a grin on his face. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you can be vanilla and still get after people, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big time.â&#x20AC;?

Spradlen doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just rely on talented players, though. He prepares his players thoroughly throughout the week, so much so that he only has to call base plays and signal in basic changes throughout the game and junior linebacker Kenny Kershaw takes over from there.

Spradlen calls Kershaw the â&#x20AC;&#x153;quarterback of the defenseâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is so smart,â&#x20AC;? the coach said of Kershaw. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He asks a ton of questions and knows the defense inside and out. He gets everybody lined up out there.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I want to blitz or get in a GLĚ&#x2020;HUHQW FRYHUDJH , MXVW KDYH to signal that in to Kenny and he knows everything to do.

SEE DEFENSE 3$*( %

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT And A Sophomore Shall Lead Them: Youngblood Epitomizes Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Toughness

BY DARREN REESE Sun Sports Editor

probably remind you of a particuODU SOD\HU ZKR SOD\V ERWK RĚ&#x2020;HQVH and defense and is known for his extremely physical style of play.

What if I told you there was a If you guessed sophomore Ty player on this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greeneville Youngblood, you football team who would be correct. as a toddler used to QUOTABLE The linebacker/ put his head down running back plays and crawl as hard as EDDIE SPRADLEN with such reckless he could until he hit abandon that he is a wall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on offense, quickly becoming Not to be discourheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to run known as the tough aged, the youngster you over. If heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on guy on a Greeneville would move over to roster that is full of the next wall and do defense, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going tough guys. it again and again to run you over.â&#x20AC;?

Last year he broke until his parents his arm during a made him stop. game against Morristown East and For those fans who have followed the Greene Devils closely this season, the above scene would SEE YOUNGBLOOD 3$*( %

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

Greeneville sophomore Ty @V\UNISVVK goes through OPZ ^LLRS` pregame ritual ^P[O H IV[[SL VM ^H[LY PU [OL locker room prior to the +L]PSZÂť Z[H[L ZLTPĂ&#x201E;UHS game against 4HYZOHSS County at Burley Stadium SHZ[ -YPKH`

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY

2009, vs. giles county 21-14 loss

2010, vs. trezevant 60-12 win

2011, vs. MAPLEWOOD 37-0 win

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www.greenevillesun.com

Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Greeneville Sun

Page 5B

8QKHUDOGHG 2Ì&#x2020;HQVLYH /LQH +DV 3DYHG 7KH :D\ Starting Five Features Just One Senior In Right Tackle Nick Rideout

BY TATE RUSSELL Sun Sports Writer

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Page 6B

The Greeneville Sun

www.greenevillesun.com

Thursday, November 30, 2017

SPRINGFIELD FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT

DAYRON “Fat cat” Johnson JUNIOR, wr/db ,I WKHUH LV RQH SOD\HU RQ WKH ¿HOG WKDW Greeneville will always have to keep an H\H RQ WKLV )ULGD\ LQ &RRNHYLOOH LW ZLOO EH 6SULQJ¿HOG¶V 'D\URQ ³)DW &DW´ -RKQVRQ 7KH MXQLRU LV XQGHUVL]HG EXW FDW TXLFN DQG FDQ WXUQ DQ\ UHFHSWLRQ LQWR D ELJ SOD\ /DVW ZHHN DJDLQVW +D\ZRRG KH FDUULHG WKH -DFNHWV WR D YLFWRU\ E\ KDXOLQJ LQ VHYHQ UHFHSWLRQV IRU \DUGV ZLWK WKUHH WRXFKGRZQV 2Q WKH VHDVRQ KH KDV UHFHLYLQJ \DUGV RQ UHFHSWLRQV ZLWK WRXFKGRZQV +H LV DYHUDJLQJ \DUGV SHU FDWFK +H KDV DOVR UDQ IRU \DUGV ZLWK D WRXFKGRZQ ZKLOH DYHUDJLQJ

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SPRINGFIELD FOOTBALL ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 29-17 PLAYOFF APPEARANCES: 19, every season since 2014 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: 1, 1993 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1, 1993 HEAD COACH: Dustin Wilson, sixth season (42-10)

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Thursday, November 30, 2017

Have

Big Dreams You will grow into them

The Greeneville Sun

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YOUNGBLOOD CONTINUED FROM 4B

teammates recall him casually coming to the sideline and sayLQJ ³, WKLQN P\ DUP LV EURNHQ ´ The tally of the number of face masks he has bent this season is up to three.

He weighed 10 pounds at ELUWK ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV LI 7\ <RXQJEORRG ZDV QDPHG &KXFN Norris, he would have endless memes posted about him on the internet.

As Greeneville quarterback &DGH %DOODUG SXW LW Âł+HÂśV GHÂżnitely the kind of guy that you ZDQW RQ <285 WHDP QRW D JX\ you ever want to have to play against.â&#x20AC;?

Youngblood stands 5-foot-11 and 195 lbs. of pure muscle and toughness. The roster lists him as a sophomore, but he is unlike few second-year players that defensive coordinator Eddie Spradlen has ever coached.

And the thing about it is, though Youngblood played some last season, Spradlen believes he was physically ready to play a whole lot more than he did. He got one start in 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at Seymour â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and he remembers it vividly because he got to the game and realized he had forgotten his pants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Physically, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot more developed than a lot of sophomores,â&#x20AC;? the coach explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because he puts in WKH WLPH DQG HĚ&#x2020;RUW EXVWLQJ KLV butt in the weight room. He conditions the same way he plays â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all out, all the time.â&#x20AC;?

Oh, and the second-year playHU ÂżUVW \HDU VWDUWHU KDSSHQV to lead a talented Greeneville defense in tackles this season with 140.

He is also the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-

SHUFFLER CONTINUED FROM 2B

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough as nails,â&#x20AC;? defensive coordinator Eddie Spradlen noted.

That September day was just another low point of what had already been a trying time for Garrin since last November.

He broke his collar bone in WKH ÂżQDO JDPH RI *UHHQHYLOOHÂśV 2016 football season. The fracture was so severe he would KDYH EHQHÂżWWHG IURP VXUJHU\ but doctors decided against it because it was located right above a main artery, according to Lanna.

And so Garrin wore a brace for 12 weeks and was then released to join the wrestling team in mid-January. But even then, it was still giving him a lot of pain.

So back to the doctor the ShufĂ&#x20AC;HUV ZHQW $Q 05, UHYHDOHG WKH bone had never reconnected DQG KDG FDOFLÂżHG DURXQG WKH break. Surgery was now the clear choice and Garrin had six screws and a plate inserted.

He wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to do much related to athletics for more than ZHHNV EHIRUH ÂżQDOO\ EHLQJ cleared right before GreenevLOOHÂśV ÂżUVW SUHVHDVRQ VFULPPDJH

GAME CONTINUED FROM 1B

2,645 yards this season while throwing for 2,061.

Head coach Dustin Wilson has used a two-quarterback system the entire year, with both Luke Petitt and Bryan Hayes rotating in regularly throughout the game.

Petitt has had the better season statistically as he has completed 74-of-136 passes for 1,286 yards and 12 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Hayes, meanwhile, is 51-of-102 for 870 yards with six scores and seven picks.

Hayes is by far the bigger threat to pull the ball down and run, though. He has 616 yards on 68 carries for the year, while Petitt has tallied just 64 yards on the ground.

Despite their diferences, Ballard said Springieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ofensive philosophies donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really change, no matter who the player under

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Thursday, November 30, 2017

leading rusher behind quarterEDFN DQG 0U )RRWEDOO ZLQQHU &DGH %DOODUG WDOO\LQJ \DUGV and 14 touchdowns on just 100 carries. When the Devils need WKH WRXJK \DUGV FRDFK &DLQH Ballard calls for No. 47 to get the ball.

But thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot more to this sophomore sensation than just beating his head against the wall and playing football.

Youngblood plays the guitar in the youth praise band at the )LUVW %DSWLVW &KXUFK DQG DOVR plays the bass from time to time.

He also loves acting and theatre, almost as much as he loves football. He has been in several productions, including the lead LQ WKH Âł7KH 5LYHU 6RQJ´ Âą SRUtraying the role of Tom Sawyer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at the Niswonger Performing $UWV &HQWHU He carries a 4.0 grade point average in the classroom. He is also one of the most polite and respectful teenagers that one could ever hope to come across, as his coaches will attest to.

He is such a standout athOHWH WKDW WUDFN DQG ÂżHOG FRDFK Larry Blalock asked him to be a decathlon competitor back in the spring, despite the fact that Youngblood didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t regularly practice many of the events, such as pole vault.

Youngblood happily accepted the challenge, though, and HQGHG XS ÂżQLVKLQJ VHYHQWK DW the state sectional meet.

That goes back to the two strongest personality traits <RXQJEORRGÂśV PRP 0LVW\ VD\V he possesses: people-pleaser and strong-willed. ,Q IDFW <RXQJEORRG ZDV VR strong-willed as a child that 0LVW\ DQG KXVEDQG 7UH\ ERXJKW HYHU\ ERRN WKH\ FRXOG ÂżQG RQ how to deal with discipline.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;After thousands of visits to the time-out chair, redirection, spankings, temper tantrums and lots of prayer, at around WKH DJH RI ÂżYH ZH VWDUWHG VHHing the little boy Ty is today,â&#x20AC;?

0LVW\ VDLG Âł3ROLWH KXPEOH DQG driven.â&#x20AC;?

The parents also received some advice from Tyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourthgrade teacher that helped them better understand his personality. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His homeroom teacher told us, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to put any added pressure on Ty to do well, he puts enough pressure RQ KLPVHOIÂś ´ 0LVW\ UHFDOOHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was really an eye-opener for us.â&#x20AC;?

Ty was also shaped by the fact that his family moved around a lot early on due to his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job. Ty was born in Newport, went to preschool in GreenHYLOOH OLYHG LQ 0RXQWDLQ &LW\ for four years, and then settled back in Greeneville prior to entering the sixth grade. ,W ZDV GXULQJ WKLV WLPH KLV parents really saw his mannerLVPV FKDQJH Âł,W ZDV KDUG RQ RXU FKLOGUHQ ´ 0LVW\ DGPLWWHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;but at the same time, it was good for them.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ty was only eight-yearsold and he knew to hold out his hand, shake and say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hi, my name is Ty Youngbloodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

He grew up fast during those moves.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking of his dad, Ty grins when he says that he adopted a lot of his personality from Trey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always so aggressive and a go-getter kind of guy,â&#x20AC;? Ty VDLG Âł7KDWÂśV NLQG RI KRZ , SOD\ football.â&#x20AC;?

Trey was a football standout LQ KLV RZQ ULJKW DW &DUVRQ 1HZPDQ &ROOHJH DQG WKHQ FRDFKHG many of Tyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth football teams.

Trey said he had three rules as D FRDFK DQG WKH ÂżUVW RQH PD\ RĚ&#x2020;HU D OLWWOH LQVLJKW DV WR KRZ his son learned to play the way he does: You had to knock at OHDVW RQH KHOPHW RĚ&#x2020; GXULQJ WKH course of a game.

The other two rules were never let just one person tackle you, and take the refs water during a timeout or halftime.

The consequences for breakLQJ D UXOH" <RX KDG WR ÂżQG alternate transportation home.

So Ty learned to pop a helmet or two.

0LVW\ UHPHPEHUV 7\ DV EHLQJ shy back then. His introduction to football came at the age of ÂżYH ZKHQ KH ZHQW RXW IRU KLV ÂżUVW WDFNOH OHDJXH +H ZDV KLW E\ a seven-year-old, busted both of his lips and knocked a front tooth loose. A family friend had WR FRD[ KLP EDFN RQWR WKH ÂżHOG a few days later.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a far cry from how teammates see him now. When asked to describe the craziness WKDW LV 7\ <RXQJEORRG &DGH %DOODUG RĚ&#x2020;HUHG XS DQ H[DPSOH of Tyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pregame ritual. Once the team is fully equipped in SDGV EHIRUH WDNLQJ WKH ÂżHOG 7\ gets the attention of the team in the locker room and holds up a bottle of water. After â&#x20AC;&#x153;collecting the energyâ&#x20AC;? of the players in the bottle, he then goes around and ceremoniously pours the water (and energy) into the mouths of his teammates. Âł, GRQÂśW WKLQN DQ\ERG\ UHDOO\ knows what that symbolizes other than Ty,â&#x20AC;? Ballard laughed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what makes Youngblood a special teammate and leader.â&#x20AC;?

Ty had to miss one game this season due to a minor calf injury, but otherwise he has held up strong considering his playing style and the fact that he

LV RQ WKH ÂżHOG SUDFWLFDOO\ HYHU\ snap throughout the course of the game.

0LVW\ VD\V VRPHWLPHV KHU VRQ comes home after hard games and looks like heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been beaten all over with a stick. ,Q 7\ÂśV ZRUGV Âł, ZRXOG UDWKHU run over a guy than run around him. The quickest distance from point A to point B is a straight OLQH (YHU\ SOD\ , MXVW VDFULÂżFH P\ ERG\ IRU WKH WHDP ,I , HYHU IHHO WLUHG , MXVW UHPLQG P\VHOI that you can sleep when you are dead.â&#x20AC;?

Ty also credits his strong season to the collective talent of his teammates around him, and the mentoring that he has received from fellow linebacker Kenny Kershaw, who is one grade ahead of him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kenny is an amazing friend and teammate,â&#x20AC;? Ty said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is WKHUH WR KHOS ZKHQHYHU , QHHG him.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have this thing. We are always right there on about every tackle, both of us scrapping to the ball. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see each other on the bottom of the pile and say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Who got that tackle? Did \RX JHW WKDW WDFNOH" 1R , WKLQN it was me!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Friday night, Youngblood and the rest of the Greeneville defense will look to help claim the third state championship in program history when the Greene Devils take on SpringÂżHOG DW 7HQQHVVHH 7HFKÂśV 7XFNHU Stadium. Âł,WÂśV DQ DEVROXWH EOHVVLQJ WR EH a part of this team,â&#x20AC;? Ty conFOXGHG Âł, DP GHÂżQLWHO\ EOHVVHG with great teammates. They are what makes it all happen.

We are brothers for sure, and together we are going to win a state championship.â&#x20AC;?

this fall.

Once more, though, Garrin never felt like his old self.

7KLV WLPH ZDV GLĚ&#x2020;HUHQW WKRXJK FRPSDUHG WR KLV ÂżUVW comeback attempt when his collar bone was obviously still the issue.

He wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gaining any weight.

He couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run at full speed.

He had no stamina. He was throwing up.

Then came more problems, Lanna said. He had tremors in his hands, he was pacing a lot, he worried constantly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was an emotional rollercoaster,â&#x20AC;? his mom added.

Lanna remembers Larry coming home in tears some nights, telling her that something was wrong.

The parents werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only ones noticing it either, though DW ÂżUVW WKH FRDFKHV MXVW WKRXJKW he needed more time to get into playing shape after not being able to participate in football and weight lifting activities for the better part of a year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t himself for a long time,â&#x20AC;? Spradlen remembered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Forever we thought heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just got to get back into shape ... if he could just get into some kind of normal routine.â&#x20AC;?

(YHQ WKH GRFWRU ÂżUVW WROG

Lanna that she shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect miracles when he had missed 20 weeks.

Ballard, who has known Garrin the majority of the youngsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, watched him closely for a couple of weeks.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when he called Larry LQWR KLV RĚ&#x2021;FH IRU D PHHWLQJ just a couple of games into the season. Âł, NQHZ VRPHWKLQJ ZDV wrong,â&#x20AC;? Ballard said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was trying to lift hard, he was trying to run hard, but he had no stamina. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not Garrin. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually the one with the most stamina.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;That really stood out to me,â&#x20AC;?

Ballard continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Something ZDV ZURQJ $QG VR , EURXJKW that concern to his parents.â&#x20AC;?

That meeting led to the testing and eventually the Gravesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Disease diagnosis. Âł,W ZDV IUXVWUDWLQJ GXULQJ WKDW time,â&#x20AC;? Garrin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone was asking me all these quesWLRQV DQG , KDG QR DQVZHUV ´ Garrin had to miss Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next four games before he was healthy enough for football activities.

He played on special teams for the top-ranked Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; showdown with No. 4 Elizabethton on Oct. 13 before returning to

the defense the following week.

Garrin admitted that at times he questioned if he would ever be able to play the game he loves so much again, but added that his faith kept him focused on a return. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes when the doctor would come back and tell me to give it more time, give it two more weeks ... that was KDUG ´ KH VDLG Âł, ZRXOG WKLQN WR P\VHOI Âľ$P , HYHU JRLQJ WR JHW EDFN"Âś , GLGQÂśW NQRZ LI LW ZRXOG be this year or next year or ever again.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;But God was with me all the time and let me come back to do ZKDW , ORYH WR GR , IHHO EOHVVHG grateful ... all of the above.â&#x20AC;?

The Greene Devils feel blessed too â&#x20AC;&#x201D; most importantly for the improved health of their comrade, but also because of what his return means for the defense. Âł:H DUH GHÂżQLWHO\ D ORW EHWWHU ZLWK *DUULQ RQ WKH ÂżHOG ´ 6SUDdlen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not just our defense ... the entire team.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a natural leader.

He goes hard all the time. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough as nails. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full of energy. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll run that mouth when he needs to a little bit. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just got a little roughness about him and gets after people.â&#x20AC;?

Garrin tied for a team high in total tackles with 12 last week in *UHHQHYLOOHÂśV VWDWH VHPLÂżQDO ZLQ RYHU 0DUVKDOO &RXQW\ ,Q KLV DEEUHYLDWHG VHDVRQ KH has recorded 55 tackles, a pair of tackles for a loss, one interception and one forced fumble from his rover linebacker position.

With fellow linebackers Kenny Kershaw and Ty Youngblood, the trio sets the tone for a Greeneville defense that refers to itself as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Wolvesâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wolves run in packs,â&#x20AC;? Garrin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They stay together. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we try to do. Stay together, get to the ball and punish the RĚ&#x2020;HQVH ´ 7KH 6KXĚ&#x2C6;HUV DQG WKH *UHHQeville coaches agree that the happy ending of this rollercoaster ride would be Garrin hoistLQJ WKH JROG EDOO RQ WKH ÂżHOG DW Tucker Stadium Friday night. Âł,WÂśV EHHQ KDUG RQ KLP ´ 6SUDdlen concluded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were days he was so upset because football means so much to him DQG PRUH WKDQ WKDW , WKLQN because of how much all those dudes in that locker room mean to him.â&#x20AC;? Âł,WÂśV FHUWDLQO\ D EOHVVLQJ WR have him back out there.â&#x20AC;?

center is. â&#x20AC;&#x153;he quarterbacks arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really that diferent, other than the fact that one runs the ball a lot better,â&#x20AC;? the Greeneville coach said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As far as changing their schemes when either one is in, they are pretty similar.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;heir threats are out on the edge. hey are going to try and get the ball to those guys.â&#x20AC;?

Highlighting the Yellow Jacketsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ofensive weapons is Dayron â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fat Catâ&#x20AC;? Johnson, who has caught 48 passes for 1,004 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Complimenting him are receivers Travion Woodard (536 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Corion Bryant (470, 3).

Springield has a running back that would be a 1,000-yard rusher by now in Keith Jones, but he sufered a knee injury the irst week of the playofs and hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been back since, according to he Connection in Robertson County.

He is stuck on 997 yards and 13 touchdowns for the year.

he Yellow Jackets also make things happen on special teams as they have 901 return yards and three scores through 14 games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to keep from giving up the big plays,â&#x20AC;? Ballard said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;whether it be punt returns or kick returns or them throwing it deep and kids going up to get it.â&#x20AC;?

On the lip side, Springield must guard against a Greeneville ofense that churns out big chunks of yards in a hurry, itself. he Greene Devils average 424 yards of total ofense per game behind junior quarterback Cade Ballard, who was just name the Tennessee Titans Class 4A Mr. Football Award winner for 2017 on Monday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

Ballard is completing 82.08 percent (174-212) of his passes for 2,930 yards with 35 touchdowns to just ive interceptions. He is also the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading rusher with 864 yards and 16 scores. he Greene Devilsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ofense is hardly a one-man show, though,

as Ballard has a wealth of weapons at his disposal.

In the backield are sophomore Ty Youngblood and junior Jaevon Gillespie to help anchor the ground game. hey have rushed for 663 and 649 yards, respectively, with 14 and 12 touchdowns.

Out wide are a bevy of talented receivers, led by the speedy Seth Crawford and the more physical Dorien Goddard. hey each have 12 touchdown receptions on the year. Crawford is one of only two seniors who start on the ofense, along with lineman Nick Rideout.

During his team in a Greeneville uniform, Crawford has rewrote the pass catching record book. He now holds the program records for receiving yards in a career, receiving touchdowns in a career, and touchdown receptions in a season (in 2016).

He also recently broke Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record for interceptions in a season when he picked of four passes to help the Devils rally for a 35-31 win over Anderson

County in the state quarterinals.

He added another one last week to give him ten on the year.

Youngblood is the top tackler for the Greeneville defense with 141 on the season, while junior linebacker Kenny Kershaw is right behind with 134.

Up front, junior defensive end Jacques Gillespie-Taylor has had a breakout season with 17 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks and ive forced fumbles. Cameron Hite has posted three interceptions and two forced fumbles from his safety position, while Will Albright has a pair of picks on the year. he Greeneville defense is allowing just 237 yards per game.

Eli Shepherd highlights the kicking game with 79-of-80 made extra points this year and 3-of-5 ield goals.

He also usually handles the punting duties (11, 30.2 average), though Greeneville has only punted 16 times in 14 games.

Page 2B

The Greeneville Sun

www.greenevillesun.com

Saturday, December 2, 2017

TSSAA CLASS 4a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Put A Ring On It Greeneville Turns In Record-Setting Performance In Championship Rout

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

.YLLUL]PSSL /PNO :JOVVS MVV[IHSS WSH`LYZ Y\ZO [V NL[ [OL Z[H[L JOHTWPVUZOPW [YVWO` HM[LY [OL` KLMLH[LK :WYPUNĂ&#x201E;LSK PU [OL ;::(( *SHZZ ( [P[SL NHTL H[ ;\JRLY -PLSK VU [OL JHTW\Z VM ;LUULZZLL ;LJO -YPKH` UPNO[

BY DARREN REESE SUN SPORTS EDITOR

COOKEVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sometimes there are not enough words to adequately describe what you are seeing.

The green-clad fans at Tennessee Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tucker Stadium Friday evening were more than happy to just sit back and admire greatness.

The Greeneville offense â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one of the top-scoring units in the state all season â&#x20AC;&#x201C; turned in a record-breaking performance that left even head coach Caine Ballard speechless.

The Greene Devils set a new state championship game record for points in a half and cruised to the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third state title with a 54-13 rout in WKH 766$$ &ODVV $ ÂżQDOV LQ Cookeville.

Greeneville quarterback Cade Ballard, named a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award winner earlier this week, tied a championship game record with seven total touchdowns.

7KH *UHHQH 'HYLOV ÂżQLVKHG the 2017 season with a perfect 15-0 record. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to describe it,â&#x20AC;? coach Ballard said after the game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so hard to explain it.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To see these guys accomplish this after all the months

SUN PHOTO BY DARREN REESE

.YLLUL]PSSL OLHK JVHJO *HPUL )HSSHYK NL[Z H IH[O MYVT WSH`LYZ K\YPUN [OL Ă&#x201E;UHS ZLJVUKZ VM -YP KH`ÂťZ Z[H[L JOHTWPVUZOPW NHTL PU *VVRL]PSSL

and years of hard work theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put in, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a night they are going to remember for the rest of their lives.â&#x20AC;?

&DGH %DOODUG ÂżQLVKHG RI 18 passing for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 81 yards on 15 car-

ries and another four scores.

He was named the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Offensive Most Valuable Player for his efforts.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all hit me yet,â&#x20AC;? the younger Ballard said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ending of the game, and celebrating with my teammates, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all I could ever ask for.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know once I get to sit back and take it all in and remember it all, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be awesome.â&#x20AC;?

Seth Crawford, one of only three seniors in Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defensive starting 11, continued his recent tear as he intercepted two passes and was named the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Defensive MVP. &UDZIRUG ÂżQLVKHG WKH \HDU with seven interceptions over WKH ÂżQDO WKUHH JDPHV +H ÂżQished the season with 12 picks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a new school record. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask for a better way to leave playing high school football, leaving here with a gold ball,â&#x20AC;? Crawford said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I knew I had to take it to another level (in the postseason). I knew if they threw it to my side, I had to make a play.

I had to want it more than the other guy.â&#x20AC;?

The clock ran continuously in the second half due to the PHUF\ UXOH $V WKH ÂżQDO PLQutes ticked off, Caine Ballard got a water bath from a few of the players and the hugs were Ă&#x20AC;RZLQJ RQ WKH VLGHOLQH SEE RING, PAGE 3B

Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Small Senior Class Goes Out On Top )@ ;(;, 9<::,33

SUN SPORTS WRITER

COOKEVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Greeneville football team only used a handful of seniors in its regular rotation this year, but on Friday night as it captured the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third state championship, two of those guys putting on the green and white for the last time propelled their team to victory.

Seth Crawford had a huge night as both a receiver and defensive back, and got the Greene Devils going early.

Then Greeneville turned to senior right tackle Nick Rideout to overpower the Yellow -DFNHWV RI 6SULQJÂżHOG RQ D quartet of rushing touchdowns that led to a 54-13 win.

While that senior class is not

a big one, with only 10 members, that group of guys got to do what few high school football players ever experience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; going out with a win. On top of that, they did not have to H[SHULHQFH D ORVV LQ WKHLU ÂżQDO campaign, and that is a truly special end to four years of fun and hard work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got some great guys in that group,â&#x20AC;? Greeneville head coach Caine Ballard said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve probably been overshadowed by the junior class along the way, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got some great kids, some great leaders there.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nathaniel Moon, Jonathan Freshour, Ethan Zook just to name a few. What great guys, great teammates they have been. They made our football team so much better.â&#x20AC;?

For Crawford, his twotouchdown, two-interception night led to him being named the Defensive MVP of the Class 4A State Championship Game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is nothing better than this feeling right now,â&#x20AC;?

Crawford said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So much is going through my mind right now. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so excited, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so happy. This is really an amazLQJ ZD\ WR ÂżQLVK 7KLV LV D great way to end it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m never going to play high school football again, and I feel so blessed for it to end this way.â&#x20AC;?

Crawford started the night with an interception on the 'HYLOVÂś ÂżUVW GHIHQVLYH VHULHV when he out-leaped SpringÂżHOGÂśV 'D\URQ -RKQVRQ RQ D JR SEE SENIOR, PAGE 3B

SUN PHOTO BY TATE RUSSELL

Greeneville High School senior Seth *YH^MVYK celebrates OPZ Ă&#x201E;YZ[ VM [^V [V\JO KV^U YLJLW tions Friday PU [OL *SHZZ ( Z[H[L champion ship game H[ ;\JRLY Stadium in *VVRL]PSSL

www.greenevillesun.com

The Greeneville Sun

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Page 3B

TSSAA CLASS 4a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ³7KDW ZDV KXJH ´ FRDFK %DOODUG VDLG ³'RULHQ JRW WKH WZR TXLFN WKURZV DQG GLG D JUHDW MRE JHWWLQJ FROM PAGE 2B RXW RI ERXQGV 7KHQ &DPHURQ FDWFKLQJ WKDW WRXFKGRZQ ´ 7KH SOD\HUV UXVKHG WKH ¿HOG DQG ³,I WKH VFRUH EHIRUH WKDW GLGQ¶W EHJDQ SDVVLQJ DURXQG VWDWH FKDPULS WKHLU KHDUWV RXW D OLWWOH ELW WKDW SLRQVKLS KDWV DQG FRPPHPRUDRQH SUREDEO\ GLG ´ WLYH QHZVSDSHUV &UDZIRUG VHW WKH WRQH IRU WKH 0RUH WKDQ KDOI RI WKH KRPH JDPH DV KH LQWHUFHSWHG 6SULQJVLGH RI WKH VWDQGV ZHUH ¿OOHG ZLWK ¿HOG TXDUWHUEDFN /XNH 3HWLWW RQ *UHHQHYLOOH IDQV ULYDOLQJ WKH VL]H WKH RSHQLQJ GULYH RI D W\SLFDO )ULGD\ QLJKW FURZG DW &UDZIRUG WKHQ WXUQHG DURXQG %XUOH\ 6WDGLXP LI QRW PRUH DQG FDXJKW D \DUG WRXFKGRZQ ³,QFUHGLEOH ´ FRDFK %DOODUG VDLG SDVV IURP %DOODUG WR RSHQ WKH ³7KHUH LV QR RWKHU ZD\ WR GHVFULEH VFRULQJ LW 7KDW¶V RQH RI WKH PRVW IXQ 7KH <HOORZ -DFNHWV DQVZHUHG WKLQJV WR FRPH RXW RI WKDW WXQQHO ZLWK DQ SOD\ \DUG GULYH DQG KHDU WKH URDU DQG VHH WKDW FDSSHG E\ D \DUG WRXFKGRZQ JUHHQ EDFN WKHUH EHKLQG \RX ´ UXQ IURP .HYRQWD\ :KLWH EXW LW ³,W PDNHV DOO WKH ZRUN DQG HIIRUW ZDV DOO *UHHQH 'HYLOV DIWHU WKDW ZRUWK LW ´ %DOODUG VFRUHG RQ D WZR \DUG UXQ *UHHQHYLOOH¶V UHVHUYHV JRW WR SOD\ RQ *UHHQHYLOOH¶V QH[W VHULHV $IWHU D ELJ FKXQN RI WKH PLQXWHV LQ WKH -DFTXHV *LOOHVSLH 7D\ORU IRUFHG D IRXUWK TXDUWHU 6SULQJ¿HOG IXPEOH DQG *RGGDUG 7KH *UHHQH 'HYLOV ¿QLVKHG UHFRYHUHG RQ WKH -DFNHWV¶ QH[W ZLWK \DUGV RI WRWDO RIIHQVH WR RIIHQVLYH SOD\ %DOODUG QHHGHG MXVW 6SULQJ¿HOG¶V RQH SOD\ WR JR \DUGV WR SD\ GLUW 7KH <HOORZ -DFNHWV ZHUH PDNLQJ 7\ <RXQJEORRG DGGHG D \DUG RQO\ WKH VHFRQG VWDWH FKDPSLRQUXVKLQJ WRXFKGRZQ HDUO\ LQ WKH VKLS JDPH DSSHDUDQFH LQ VFKRRO VHFRQG TXDUWHU EHIRUH %DOODUG KLVWRU\ ± WKH ¿UVW VLQFH WKH\ ZRQ DQG &UDZIRUG KRRNHG XS DJDLQ LW DOO EDFN LQ *UHHQHYZLWK RQ WKH FORFN WKLV WLPH LOOH SOD\HG IRU D VWDWH WLWOH WKUHH IURP \DUGV RXW VWUDLJKW WLPHV IURP %DOODUG DGGHG UXVKLQJ WRXFKZLQQLQJ LW WKH ODWWHU WZR \HDUV GRZQV RI ¿YH DQG IRXU \DUGV LQ WKH WKLUG TXDUWHU 6SULQJ¿HOG FDSSHG WKH VFRULQJ ZLWK OHIW LQ WKH JDPH RQ D RQH \DUG UXQ E\ %U\DQ +D\HV -DHYRQ *LOOHVSLH DQG <RXQJEORRG ERWK ¿QLVKHG ZLWK \DUGV UXVKLQJ IRU WKH 'HYLOV &UDZIRUG FDXJKW ¿YH SDVVHV IRU \DUGV *RGGDUG KDG IRXU FDWFKHV IRU DQG +LWH WKUHH IRU <RXQJEORRG DOVR OHG WKH *UHHQHYLOOH GHIHQVH ZLWK VL[ WDFNOHV -DPLDQ 7KRPSVRQ KDG ¿YH IROORZHG E\ 'DOWRQ 0F/DLQ /RJDQ 6KLSOH\ :LOO $OEULJKW DQG -DFTXHV *LOOHVSLH 7D\ORU ZLWK IRXU HDFK $OEULJKW DQG *LOOHVSLH SUN PHOTOS BY MELANIE FRITZ 7D\ORU HDFK KDG WZR WDFNOHV 5PJR 9PKLV\[ YPNO[ [OL VUS` ZLUPVY Z[HY[LY VU .YLLUL]PSSL»Z VÉ&#x2C6;LUZP]L SPUL IRU D ORVV and sophomore Chris Everhart kiss the state championship trophy.

RING

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Inside the numbers A statistical look at Greenevilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state FKDPSLRQVKLS FRQWHVW DJDLQVW 6SULQJÃ&#x20AC;HOG

Tigers Jackets

700

000

0

6

13

Tigers Devils

20 00

20 00

14

0

54

FIRST QUARTER GHS, 8:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cade Ballard completed a 33yard pass to Seth Crawford to cap a 5-play, 64 yard drive that lasted 1:57. The extra point was blocked.

SHS, 5:44 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kevontay White ran for a 38-yard touchdown to cap an 8-play, 80-yard drive that lasted 2:46. David Madrid made the extra point.

GHS, 1:50 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cade Ballard ran for a 2-yard touchdown to cap an 11-play, 52-yard drive that lasted 3:54. The extra point was blocked.

GHS, 1:34 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cade Ballard ran for a 13-yard WRXFKGRZQ RQ WKH Ã&#x20AC;UVW SOD\ RI WKH GULYH DIWHU 'RULHQ *RGGDUG UHFRYHUHG D 6SULQJÃ&#x20AC;HOG IXPEOH Eli Shepherd made the extra point.

SECOND QUARTER GHS, 11:29 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ty Youngblood ran for a 17-yard touchdown to cap a 3-play, 35-yard drive that lasted 33 seconds. Eli Shepherd made the extra point.

GHS, 1:44 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cade Ballard completed a 28-yard pass to Seth Crawford to cap a 10-play, 87-yard drive that lasted 2:44. Eli Shepherd made the extra point.

GHS, 0:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cade Ballard completed a 19-yard pass to Cameron Hite to cap a 6-play, 61-yard drive that lasted 0:37. Eli Shepherd made the extra point.

THIRD QUARTER GHS, 11:16 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cade Ballard ran for a 5-yard touchdown to cap a 2-play, 6-yard drive that lasted 44 seconds. Eli Shepherd made the extra point.

GHS, 3:43 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cade Ballard ran for a 4-yard touchdown to cap a 6-play, 39-yard drive that lasted 3:35. Eli Shepherd kicked the extra point.

FOURTH QUARTER SHS, 5:40 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bryan Hayes ran for a 1-yard touchGRZQ RQ WKH Ã&#x20AC;UVW SOD\ RI WKH GULYH DIWHU D *UHHQeville fumble. The extra point was no good.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

SENIOR FROM PAGE 2B

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GREENEVILLE Passing Att Ballard 15 Ferguson 0

Cmp 18 1

Yds 218 0

TD 3 0

INT 0 0

Rushing Ballard Gillespie Youngblood Moore Mayes

Att 15 8 6 3 1

Yds 81 47 47 16 8

Avg 5.3 5.9 7.8 4.3 8

Lg 13 19 17 14 8

TD 4 0 1 0 0

Receiving Crawford Goddard Hite Youngblood Thompson

C 5 4 3 1 1

Yds 78 50 69 14 3

Lg 33 18 41 11 3

TD 2 0 1 0 0

TEAM STATISTICS First Downs Rushing Attempts Rushing Yards Yards Per Rush Passing Yards Comp-Att-Int Yards Per Completion Total Offensive Plays Total Offensive Yards Yards Per Play Fumbles/Lost Penalties/Yards Punts/Avg. Punt Returns/Average Kick Returns/Average Int/Return Yards Time Of Possession 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions

GHS 22 35 178 5.1 218 15-19-0 14.5 54 396 7.3 1/1 9/68 1/54 1/17 3/20.7 2/6 23:23 6-9 0-0

SHS 11 27 117 4.4 76 11-24-2 6.9 51 194 3.8 3/1 6/55 4/34.5 0/0 3/21.7 0/0 24:37 3-11 2-3