MORRISTOWN – Greeneville’s offense used lightning quick scoring strikes to build a big lead on Friday night, and then mother nature used actual lighting strikes around Burke-Toney Stadium to bring the evening to a merciful, early end as the Greene Devils opened the season with a 35-0 win over Morristown West.
Coach Eddie Spradlen had his Greene Devils ready to play on Friday night in Morristown as they took on the Morristown West Trojans in a rivalry that began in 1975.
The Devils scored early and often en route to a 35-0 second-quarter lead. After lightning was detected within 15 miles of the stadium, the game was sent to a delay. Then the sky opened up and the heavy rain set in and the decision to halt the game with 3:36 still left in the first half was made, giving the Devils the win.
“The way we performed tonight from the get-go is what we’ve been working to do the whole off season. A lot of people are doubting this football team and how good we’re going to be. We still have a long way to go, but we kind of showed what we’re going to be tonight, very explosive on offense,” Spradlen said.
Zaydyn Anderson set the tone for the game on the opening kickoff, returning it 37 yards near midfield. A few plays later Anderson gathered in a long pass from Caden Baugh to score from 48 yards out. Samuel Gourley split the uprights on the point after try for a 7-0 Devil lead at the 10:46 mark of the first quarter.
The Trojans were trying to keep pace via the running game on third down and short, but Laith Ivey came up with a big tackle for loss that forced the Trojans to punt.
Greeneville started its next drive on the eight-yard line but the poor field position was a minor set back. Baugh found Cole Franklin for 14 yards to get the Devils out of the shadow of their own goalpost. Now with a little breathing room Baugh launched a deep ball down field that looked to have little chance of being caught, but the track star and University of Tennessee signee, Anderson, turned on the jets. He made the catch with ease, and out ran everyone into the end zone for a touchdown. Gourley ‘s kick was good, and the Devils enjoyed a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
The Devils went to the ground attack on the third drive of the game. Maddox Bishop went for nine yards followed by a Baugh 18-yard scamper. Bishop went for another 12 up the middle to set up the Devils inside the Trojan 10-yard line. Jude Dyer covered the final four yards for the touchdown and 21-0 lead with 4:11 still to play in the first quarter.
After the two team swapped ends of the field the Trojans had their deepest penetration, the Devil 35 yard line. But the Devil defense made a stand and forced the Trojans to punt. The punt was a great one, pinning the Devils at their own four-yard line.
Poor field position was once again just a minor setback, as Baugh tossed a pass in the flat to Taren Claridy, and Claridy did the rest, racing 96 yards to pay dirt. The 96 yard pass play is a Greeneville High School record, previously held by Aaron Christian to Jason Champion who went 95 yards against South Greene in 1998. Gourley made the score 28-0 with the kick with just under a minute into the second period.
The Trojans showed a little life after the ensuing kickoff, a pass interference penalty and a 23 yard run by Bobby Fair gave the Trojans hope but early season miscues and false start penalties forced yet another punt.
A couple big runs by Baugh and a Kaine Ricker reception had the the Devils quickly back inside the Trojan 10 yard line. Bishop scored two plays later and Gourley was perfect with the kick again as the Devils were in command at 35-0 with 6:46 showing on the clock.
The Trojans had the ball when lighting was detected, and the game was delayed and eventually called due to weather conditions.
Baugh finished less than one half of play 6-of-6 passing for 284 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 47.3 yards per attempt. He also led the Devils in rushing with 59 yards on six carries. Anderson caught two passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Claridy had the record breaking 96-yard touchdown reception.
Spradlen later said, “It all starts with Caden and how hard he’s worked. Zaydyn he’s explosive with the football in his hands, we’re going to the ball to him as much as we can this year. Also Taren Claridy , Cole Franklin had a big night catching the football and running after the catch. Kaine Ricker caught a big one over the middle and we had two different running backs get into the end zone.”
Greeneville’s lightning quick plays helped them pull ahead 35-0 before the lightning forced a stop to Friday night’s contest.
Hear Coach Spradlen’s post-game thoughts after a 35-0 win over Morristown West. pic.twitter.com/pHuDdWq5aS
— GreeneSportsZone (@GSportsZone) August 23, 2025
New school longest TD pass record for the Greene Devils. Caden Baugh to Tarin Claridy 96 yards.
Previous record was Aaron Christian to Jason Champion, 95 yards, v South Greene. October 23, 1998
Congrats on joining the history books, guys! pic.twitter.com/6JWH8J0UU6
— GreeneSportsZone (@GSportsZone) August 23, 2025
