The North Greene football team will be making the long drive to Jellico on Friday night with the goal of getting back on track in an important Region 1-1A contest.
The last three times the Huskies and Blue Devils have met the game has come down to the wire, and North Greene head coach Eric Tilson expects nothing less from Friday’s contest.
“Every time we play Jellico it does not matter what the records are, it does not matter how good either team is. It is a tight ball game and it is a crazy ball game. We have to be prepared for anything. Last year it came down to a two-minute drive and a fourth down to win it,” Tilson said.
A week ago the Huskies took their first loss in Region 1-1A play to Hampton 46-6. It was a night where the Huskies could not get much going, and the loss likely ended the Huskies hopes of a region title. They still have a chance to be at home in the playoffs, but winning on Friday will be an important part of achieving that goal.
“Our goals coming into the year were win the region, host a playoff game and win a playoff game,” Tilson said. “That first goal may be out of reach, but we have to take care of our own business. Hosting a playoff game is still up for grabs, but we still have some tough games we have to take care of, and that includes this week.”
Jellico comes into the game with a 1-4 record on the year and is 1-2 in region play. Last week they battled into overtime with Cloudland but fell 28-22.
A year ago North Greene beat Jellico 24-20, in 2023 it was the Blue Devils who claimed a 14-7 win, and in 2022 North Greene won 32-28.
“We have to be prepared to execute,” Tilson said. “This has been the type of game where each team has the other’s number, and that has made it a fun football game for the past few years.”
On offense the Blue Devils will be led by quarterback Clayton Hamblin who will be counted on to gain yards through the air and on the ground. Last week against Cloudland he ran for 104 yards and threw for 53 yards. The other player who worries Tilson is Trevor Gilbert who will line up all over the formation as the Devils look for mismatches.
The Huskies bring a dangerous offense of their own into the game led by quarterback Thomas Darnell, but a week ago agaisnt Hampton North Greene only managed to find the endzone once. They will be looking to get back on track this week and that will start with getting running backs Leon Johnson and Brayden Weems going.
North Greene is now 3-3 on the year and 2-1 in Region 1-1A play. Hampton is 3-0 in the region, Cloudland is 2-0 and Cosby is 2-1.
North Greene leads the all-time series between the two schools 9-5.
Kickoff for Friday’s contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Jellico High School
