A week ago football in Greene County was put on pause as flood waters from Hurricane Helene raced through the area bringing hurt and destruction.
With homes, roads, bridges and the water system gone the idea of football returning any time soon seemed farfetched. But all five local teams have managed to find a way to get back on the field, pushing through adversity to hopefully bring folks something to cheer for in what has been an otherwise bleak time.
“In 2020 we had to deal with COVID, now we have to deal with this. It’s been a crazy few years but this community is resilient and we’ll get through this,” South Greene coach Shawn Jones said. “I’m sure people are wondering why we are practicing and playing football, but to me it’s a way to get kids minds off the other stuff. We’re doing it for these kids, and hopefully for a couple of hours on Friday night they can think about something else.”
The South Greene community has been hit particularly hard by the flooding of the Nolichucky River, but when it was a put to a vote the Rebels had no doubt that they wanted to get back on the field on Friday night.
The Rebels game with West Greene that was supposed to be played last week will be moved to October 25 and now the focus is on a trip to Seymour.
The Eagles come into Friday’s contest with an 0-5 record and having lost 21 straight games dating back to 2022. South Greene is 3-1 on the year and has won its last three games by a combined score of 142-20.
The Rebels have used a balanced offensive attack in that stretch, but on Friday Jones thinks the best path to success is to get the run game going. That will mean plenty of work for Nash Rader and Tripp Neas and both have had a knack for finding the endzone this year, each scoring two touchdowns in the Rebels’ last contest again Union County.
Last year South Greene beat Seymour 35-25.
WEST GREENE AT CUMBERLAND GAP
For West Greene coach Evan Monroe this week has been as hectic as any of his tenure with the Buffaloes, but he is feeling good heading into Friday with a squad that is healthy for the first time since week one.
“I had been worried to death about my kids all weekend, but we got to come in on Tuesday and have somewhat of a normal day,” Monroe said. “I got to see that everybody was fine. That was good for me. It’s been a hectic week, but we’ve tried to put together a plan the best we can to have as normal of a season as possible.”
Because of the lack of water at West Greene the Buffaloes have spent much of the week practicing at Cherokee High School in Rogersville, and Monroe is extremely grateful for the Chiefs’ hospitality. Cherokee not only allowed West Greene to use its football facility, but the booster club provided lunch and the cafeteria sent West Greene’s players home with dinner.
On the field the Buffaloes are preparing for a trip to Region 1-2A foe Cumberland Gap. Monroe is excited to have many players who have missed time in recent weeks back on the field, including quarterback Austin Brown. That will allow Austin Franklin to move around the formation and create mismatches for big-play opportunities.
West Greene enters Friday’s game with a 2-3 record. Cumberland Gap is 0-6 and coming off a 24-6 loss to Twin Spring, Va. Last year West Greene won the meeting 49-20.
NORTH GREENE AT EAGLETON
North Greene had its game last week with Willimasburg, Ky. cancelled and then the ravaging effects of Hurricane Helene has prevented Cloudland from playing this week. That left the Huskies looking for an opponent and on Tuesday they reached an agreement to travel to Eagleton on Friday.
The Royals were originally scheduled to play Hampton this week, but the Bulldogs were unable to play as well.
North Greene coach Eric Tilson expects a tough test on Friday, but think ultimately its important to see what his squad is made of against a quality opponent.
“Eagleton was supposed to play Hampton. We were supposed to play Cloudland. Carter County schools can’t play this week, so Eagleton reached out to us and in about four or five hours we had a new game,” Tilson said. “I’m appreciative that they are giving our kids a chance to play a good opponent. That’s what we wanted in the Williamsburg game, we want to see where we actually are.”
Eagleton comes into the game with a 3-3 record, beating Wartburg 36-20 last week. The Royals will be led by Quarterback Nathan Clemmer who is averaging nearly 150 yards per game passing while also being the team’s second leading rusher.
North Greene is riding high heading into the contest after winning four straight games to improve to 4-1. In the Huskies last game, a 56-8 win over Hancock County, quarterback Thomas Darnell threw for 221 yards and five touchdowns.
GREENEVILLE AT SULLIVAN EAST
Greeneville will get back in action on Friday night after a sitting out last week when they could not reach an agreement on scheduling and rescheduling their game with Volunteer.
The Volunteer game will go down as a no contest and now the focus is on a trip to Sullivan East.
The Greene Devils have spent the week practicing at Jefferson County High School, using the schools locker rooms and showers since the town of Greeneville has spent the week without running water. The Patriots have also generously provided lunch for Greeneville each day this week.
“We have a lot of people at this school going through a tough time right now, but we are doing our best to support them,” Greeneville coach Eddie Spradlen said. “Jefferson County offered us an opportunity to practice and feed our kids, and its opportunity for them to get a shower with the water out. They have opened up their facilities and that is great for our kids. Coach Spencer Riley reached on Sunday morning, and their superintendent and principal have been there for us every day. It’s a difficult time right now, but we are trying to make the best of it.”
Sullivan East enters Friday’s contest with a 1-5 record and fell to Elizabethton 43-6 on Monday.
The Patriots are going to throw the ball a lot, averaging 30 pass attempts per game and 190 yards through the air per game. Though he throws a lot quarterback Peyton Lingerfelt has just five touchdown and eight interceptions on the year.
The Greene Devils will rely on their two rushing attack of running back Carson Quillen and quarterback Caden Baugh each is averaging over 100 yards per game on the ground and they have combined for 21 rushing touchdowns through five games.
CHUCKEY-DOAK AT CLAIBORNE
Chuckey-Doak was supposed to play at home on Friday night, but due to a lack of running water in Greene County and flood damage in the area the Black Knights will hit the road and travel to New Tazewell for a matchup with Claiborne.
The Black Knights and the Bulldogs will both be looking for their first win in Region 1-3A play.
Claiborne last played Cosby on September 20 and lost 39-7 to fall to 2-3 on the year.
Chuckey-Doak is now 1-4 and has lost four straight games after a 71-46 season opening win against Unaka. Two weeks ago the Black Knights lost to Pigeon Forge 56-3. Last week’s game with Cocke County was cancelled.
