There’s nothing better than renewing an old rivalry. After not playing for two years the North Greene Huskies and South Greene Rebels are back on each other’s schedules and are set to renew the rivalry on Friday night.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity and this is a big game for us. Our kids are going to go out and be ready because they are fired up to go play this game. This is what makes high school football exciting. These types of games to go up against a high-quality opponent,” North Greene Head Coach Eric Tilson said.
“It’s going to be a big night. North Greene is having a great year and had a great year last year and I think we’ll have a big crowd for Homecoming,” South Greene Head Coach Shawn Jones expressed. “It’s a county game and it’s been three years since we played them. It’s going to be a big game Friday night and we’re excited to get North Greene back on the schedule.”
Both programs have played 44 times over a 47-year span. South Greene has won 8-straight dating back to 2015 and have a 40-4 overall record in the series.
The Huskies are no stranger to long losing streaks to county opponents, but also no stranger to snapping such losing streaks. North Greene snapped an 18-game losing streak to West Greene only 14 days ago and that helped end a 27-game losing streak to county foes that actually dated back to North Greene’s last win over South Greene in September of 2014.
It’s been 11 long years since the last time North Greene held a victory over South Greene. The Huskies will try to do so on Friday night, but must go through a hard-hitting South Greene squad ready to defend Rebel Hill on Homecoming.
“We have to execute well. They have a very good ball club,” Tilson stated.
The Rebels come into Friday night’s matchup with a 2-1 record and on a two-game win streak with wins over Daniel Boone and Johnson County. South Greene is averaging 32.6 points per game and allowing 17.6 points per game on defense.
“This is the type of offense that you don’t stop. You have to hope to slow them down enough to get yourself on the field,” Coach Tilson stated.
North Greene, like South Greene, are currently riding a 2-game win streak with victories over West Greene and Hancock County and hold a 2-1 record. The Huskies scored their third-highest point total in program history last Friday with a 55-22 win. With that, they improved their points per game total to 39.6. They are allowing 20.3 points per game on defense.
South Greene’s heavy rushing attack has helped them consistently anger defenses with their dual-threat attack of Nash Rader and Tripp Neas. Both athletes have shared the privilege of having a three-touchdown game this season and each have five touchdowns total so far this year. The potential to see Charlie Lane and Trent Haynes earn a few carries is very likely as the Rebels will mix in both playmakers to their high-powered rushing attack.
“Everybody talks about their backfield which they are very dynamic. Their quarterback can house it at any point on the field. Their running back can house it at any point in the field. And they do a great job at varying what they do,” Coach Tilson explained.
The Huskies athletes have been flying around everywhere so far this season and are a highlight play waiting to happen at any moment. North Greene has scored a punt/kick return touchdown in three-straight games. Brayden Weems and Leon Johnson present a two-headed monster in the backfield and each have scored four touchdowns apiece through three games. The Huskies rely on Thomas Darnell’s experience and wisdom on the turf and go as he does. Darnell has had a solid opening third of the season so far with six passing touchdowns and 425 passing yards.
“They are going to be fired up. They are riding high. They’re 2-1 and feel like they should be 3-0, just like us, so they’re going to come in feeling good about themselves. That’s the kind of rivalry you want. You want people coming in here feeling good about their chances. We’ll just see what happens on Friday night,” Coach Jones stated.
For Coach Tilson, going to Rebel Hill holds sentimental value. He explained, “I grew up going to South Greene games. We’d go every Friday. My dad is a South Greene alum. We didn’t go to Greeneville games, we went to South Greene games. That’s back when they were going to the second or third round every year. I remember Adam Hansel was the quarterback back in the day. I was just a little kid watching and that’s kinda the time when I started to fall in love with football. So there’s a sense of enjoyment for me to be able to go back down there and go coach a big-time game.”
Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM and homecoming festivities will begin at 6:30 PM. The game will be broadcasted as this week’s Bachman Bernard GSZ Game of the Week Presented by Tommie’s Plumbing on the Greene Sports Zone Facebook & YouTube along with the official Radio Greeneville Facebook page. You can also catch Friday’s call with Brian Stayton and Coach Barry Carter on The Jewel FM 95.5 WSMG.
