JEFFERSON CITTY – In its final rehearsal before the regular season the Greeneville football team wowed the crowd with some highlight plays and shut-down defense in the 5 Star Preps Jamboree at Carson University.
The Greene Devils earned a 14-0 win over Morristown East in its one varsity quarter of action on Thursday.
“I thought we came out here and played really fast and physical. The kids flew around and made a lot of plays,” Greeneville coach Eddie Spradlen said. “The first offense scored on the first drive, and the second group moved it well. Then on defense we made some plays. You have to be pleased anytime you can force two turnovers in a quarter.”
Things get real now and the Greene Devils turn their attention to the other side of Hamblen County as they travel to Morristown West on August 22 for the season opener. For Spradlen the focus is pretty simple, keep doing the same thing, make big plays on offense and don’t let them score on defense.
“We told these guys we are treating today like a game, we wanted to prepare like it was a game,” Spradlen said. “We were ready to go from the start. We just have to keep on scoring and stopping people from scoring. If we can move the ball and force turnovers we are going to be in good shape.”
Throughout the Devils’ preseason Spradlen has been quick to point out how much different his offense would look when the protective measures were taken away and his quarterbacks could run. On the opening play of the Jamboree Caden Baugh proved that point when he tucked a read option and went nine yards with his feet.
The first drive culminated with Baugh turning a busted a play into a big gain. The senior quarterback first dropped to pass but when no one was open he scrambled to the left. He first did enough to move the sticks, but after slipping a tackler he walked the tight rope down the sideline before sprinting into the endzone for a 49-yard touchdown.
“We told Caden that tonight we were letting him go, and he did a good job running it,” Spradlen said. “He’s been anxious to get going, and I think he was pulling it on that first play no matter what. We need to get him in a rhythm and that opens things for the rest of our offense.”
Baugh also had an 11-yard completion to Cole Franklin and a 13-yard completion to Taren Claridy on the drive. Baugh only played in the first series on Thursday
The fireworks did not stop with the offense and on Morristown East’s first snap of the game Greeneville linebacker Cole Smith broke on a pass in the flats and saw nothing but turf in front of him as he quickly raced 30 yards for a pick six.
Sam Gourley’s extra point had the Devil’s in front 14-0 just three minutes into the contest.
“I was really pleased with how fast and how physical we played on defense,” Spradlen said. “We did a good job communicating on defense, and you are always thrilled to get turnovers.”
After an interception by Jude Dyer Greeneville’s offense, led by Kaine Ricker, marched into the redzone on its second drive but a fumble ended the scoring chance.
Greeneville’s defense continued to play tough the rest of the night and made it hard for the Hurricanes to move the ball.
In the junior varsity portion both Parker Quillen and Kase Spradlen moved the ball while playing quarterback, but neither found the endzone. Junior receiver Braylen Kidwell made a highlight play late in the first quarter with a toe-tapping catch on the sideline for a 29-yard gain.
The Devils will travel to Morristown West’s Burke-Toney Stadium on August 22 for the first game of the regular season.
Listen in to hear Coach Spradlen’s thoughts after Thursday night’s jamboree action for Greeneville. pic.twitter.com/v3OCmROoMV
— GreeneSportsZone (@GSportsZone) August 15, 2025
