The South Greene Rebels (7-2, 2-0) are looking to go back-to-back years as Region 1-2A Champions, but must go through No. 9 Happy Valley (9-0, 2-0) to do so in a crucial and ever important contest on Thursday night.
“We feel good. Everybody else in East Tennessee thinks that we’re going to get beat. And that’s fine we’re okay being the underdogs. We’re playing at South Greene and that’s good,” Rebels Head Coach Shawn Jones said.
It’s as big as it gets. Thursday night’s game is for more than a Region Championship. Home playoff rights are also on the line. The winner receives home playoff games all the way through the entire postseason until the potential to play in Chattanooga for the State Championship Game.
Both teams have prepared for this moment all year. South Greene won their second league game on October 3rd and patiently waited to see the outcome of Happy Valley’s other two conference games to see if week 11’s matchup would hold its weight. Happy Valley walks on to Rebel Hill 9-0 and has been on a tear since 2023. They’ve won 23 of their last 24 regular season games and that lone loss came at the hands of the Rebels last season. The Warriors are searching for their first region crown since 2016 while South Greene is searching for their fifth title in the last seven years.
“I’m always excited about this kind of stuff. As a coaching staff we’ve tried to build that mentality of playing for conference championships. It’s always exciting. It seems like you get a little more pep in your step during the week,” Coach Jones expressed.
South Greene trails in the all-time series 18-29, but the Rebels have recently dominated the win column by winning five of the last six games.
South Greene’s explosive offense has averaged 39.4 points per game on offense this year and has scored 40+ in five different games. Their defense has been even more impressive and has only allowed 16.4 points per game and have only allowed their opponents to score 14+ in only three games.
Happy Valley’s numbers have been even greater this season. The Warriors average 50.7 points per game on offense and only allow 6.1 points per game on defense. They have pitched five shutouts this year and have only allowed double-digit points in two games. They have outscored their opponents 183-0 in their last three games.
“They’re bringing a great team in here. One of the better teams I’ve seen at Happy Valley in a long time. All the way across the board, up front, they’ve got studs everywhere and have skill,” Jones expressed.
The Rebels won six-straight after their season-opening loss to Morristown East and avenged that second loss last week with a win over Eagleton. Happy Valley has won 12 out of their last 13 after last year’s loss to South Greene.
Happy Valley has plenty of playmakers to give South Greene fits. Senior quarterback Gabe McDougald is a returner from last year’s talented team along with junior fullback Tyler Berry. Volunteer transfer Keelin Releford has amassed 20 offensive touchdowns this season and 1,000+ all-purpose yards. Tyler Bailey is their main defensive threat with 91 tackles, 13 TFL’s, and 6 sacks.
South Greene’s triple-threat tandem of Nash Rader, Tripp Neas, and Charlie Lane will look to create problems for Happy Valley and put them in uncomfortable situations they aren’t used to being in this year.
“We’ve got our hands full. We’re going to have to play really well. Although it’s at home and it’s going to be cold we’re going to show up,” Coach Jones said.
Both teams are set to square off on a special Thursday night edition of the Bachman Bernard GSZ Game of the Week Presented by Tommie’s Plumbing. Kickoff show is set to begin at 6:15 with kickoff set for 7:00 PM on a chilly Thursday night.
