One is the magic number for South Greene this week. One more win until they check off one of their preseason goals of hosting a playoff game next month.
One is also the magic number for Rebels Head Coach Shawn Jones. At 99 wins, Jones will be chasing his 100th win on Friday night as South Greene travels to Claiborne County to play the Cumberland Gap Panthers in a Region 1-2A clash.
“That would be real special. As far as me, I’m not big on personal accolades and stuff. I owe it all to the kids over the years that have played for me. I can remember the very first win in the very first game I coached. Coach Wright was playing for me and he’ll be on the sideline with me so that’ll be big if it happens. Just very, very blessed here at South Greene,” Coach Jones expressed.
Last week’s win was a big one for South Greene. The 42-20 victory over West Greene helped keep the fabled Milk Can on the south side of the river for the third-straight year and helped this group of Rebels claim the Greene County Cup for the first time and the first for South Greene as a program since 2021. More importantly, it helped them start 1-0 within Region 1-2A play. This week’s road test will be their final road game in conference play and will send them back home for their final game with Happy Valley in week 11.
“We’ve got to go 1-0 this week. You go 1-0 this week then you’ve for sure got a home playoff game. It’s just whether you’re a one or two seed and that’s what we’re playing for. Trying to win the conference championship. But at least you know you’re at home the first week of the playoffs if you win this week. So, big game this week going up to Cumberland Gap,” Jones stated.
Since a coaching change occurred two seasons ago, Cumberland Gap has resorted to a more pass-heavy offense instead of their old-school running style. It will be the most passing South Greene’s defense will see since week one with Morristown East.
“They’re a scrappy little team. They’re young. They were last year and it’s the same team they had last year. They’re gonna spread you out and try to throw the ball,” Jones explained.
The Rebels hard-nosed and physical defense is only allowing 13.3 points per game with a hugely positive turnover differential.
The triple threat of Nash Rader, Tripp Neas, and Charlie Lane combined for all of South Greene’s offensive touchdowns last week and have been a juggernaut of a unit all season past the halfway point. The offense has averaged 39.6 points per game and averaged 46 points over their last four contests.
Cumberland Gap’s numbers don’t jump off the page at you, but the numbers are respectable. The Panthers offense is only averaging 21.1 points per game, but have won games due to holding teams to an average of 12 points per game in their three wins. Their defense is giving up an average of 25.1 points per game overall.
“We’re prepared for anything they may throw at us and won’t be surprised with anything they do.
Historically, South Greene has the edge in the all-time series with a 12-5 record with a seven-game win streak.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 on Friday afternoon at Cumberland Gap High School.
“We expect them to come out and play hard. They started out 2-1 and now they’re 3-3, so they have won some games. Last year I don’t think they won a game, so they’ve already won three more games than they did last year. It’s a better ball club. Same bunch they had last year they were just so young so we’ll see what they got,” Jones left with.
