JEFFERSON CITY – The Greeneville football team went to Carson-Newman University on Friday night for its final tune up before the regular season begins next week.
In the 5 Star Preps Jamboree the Greene Devils came up short 14-7 to Grace Christian in its quarter played by the first unit, and then came up on the wrong side of 7-6 outcome in the quarter played the reserves.
“I’m really proud of our effort,” Greeneville coach Eddie Spradlen said. “We gave up a trick play and another big play up the middle, but our kids kept fighting. We played with a lot of energy and we moved the football all night. That is a good football team, and as good of a back as we may see all year. I’m excited for where we are at, but now its time to go to work for a big opening game.”
The Greene Devils now turn their full attention to the start of the regular season and a matchup with Morristown West at on Burley Stadium on August 21.
“It’s real now. You don’t get a coach out on the field helping you out anymore. It’s time to grow up. We just have to continue what we have done all summer, practice hard and get ready to go,” Spradlen said.
Friday’s action started with the Rams taking Greeneville by surprise. On the first snap of the scrimmage linebacker Ty Riban burst through the middle to sack Grace quarterback Corbin Hobson. On the next play Hobson sent a quick screen pass to Terrion Thomas, but as the defense converged on him the running back pulled up and threw a deep ball to Kaden Hickman for a 71-yard touchdown.
Greeneville’s offense immediately went to work on its first possession and evened the score. Most of the yardage was picked up when quarterback Kaine Ricker maneuvered through the defense on a draw play and raced along the far boundary for a 48-yard gain. One play later Jude Dyer went up the middle for a one-yard touchdown run.
“They have a really good defensive front and we have a new line. We needed to see them against someone that was really going to test them. It was good to see us be able to run it. Kaine broke off a big one, Jack (Lister) and had a good run, Jude had a good burst on one,” Spradlen said.
Grace wasted little time moving downfield and on the first play of its second series Hobson found Thomas downfield. The senior who holds an offer from reigning national champion Indiana covered 45 yards as he refused to go to the turf. The Rams scored three plays later.
After the two teams traded punts Parker Quillen took over behind center for the Greene Devils and delivered a perfect ball to Taren Claridy down the sideline for a 37-yard gain. Jack Lister went off tackle to the left for an 18-yard pickup to put Greeneville in the redzone, but the drive ended on an interception in the endzone.
The second quarter of play was for the reserve units and Greenville got on the board when Braylen Kidwell found space going up the seam and Kase Spradlen found him for a 59-yard touchdown.
“We have had two really good scrimmages. I felt like we played well today against a really good team,” Spradlen said. “Now we need to realize it is going to take more than 11 guys to get it done. We need some guys to step up and start making plays to build some depth. It’s going to be hot and humid next week against a Morristown West team that looked tonight.”
