At the start of every football season there is always a buzz of excitement in the air at Greeneville High School, and after a 54-7 bashing of Tennessee High on Friday night fans of the Greene Devils maybe even more excited for what the 2024 season has to offer.
Greeneville head coach Eddie Spradlen said, “All our hard work showed tonight. We are going to come out and be the toughest football team.”
Friday was a special night for many, but maybe most special for the Baugh family. Offensive coordinator Cody Baugh, a former Greeneville quarterback, saw his son start under center for the Greene Devils wearing the same number that he wore over 20 years ago.
The younger Baugh had quite the first start on Friday, going 7-for-10 through the air for 118 yards, and then running for 147 yards with a combined four touchdowns.
Coach Baugh said, “As a coach, he played well and has improved tremendously. As a dad, I’m just super proud of him. He has waited for this moment for a long time and it’s just super special.”
All-State running back Carson Quillen started the show early with a short three-yard run into the endzone to give the Greene Devils the 7-0 lead on the Devils opening possession of the season.
Less than two minutes later Quillen found the endzone again on a seven-yard run to stretch the lead to 14-0.
Baugh, a junior making his start, got in on the rushing touchdown action with a one-yard sneak to make the lead 20-0 lead after the extra point was missed.
Still in the first quarter Baugh hit Quillen for a 28-yard touchdown pass to extend the Devils lead to 27-0.
Quillen ended his day with 35-yards on six rushes with two rushing touchdowns along with two catches for 36 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Right before the first quarter ended Baugh got loose and found the endzone again with his legs, scampering 20-yards and pushing the lead to 33-0.
After a long drive that used up nearly half of the second quarter the Vikings got on the board when Jack Richardson rushed for eight yards to cut into the Greene Devils’ lead at 33-7.
That was quickly replaced by Baugh when he dashed 56-yards down the sideline into the endzone to put the lead back to 40-7.
Near the end of the third quarter, the Viking were moving down the field once again until a fumble hit the ground and defensive end C.J. Reyes picked it up and returned it 56-yards for the defensive touchdown to make the lead 47-7.
The last score of the night would come near the end of the fourth quarter when Kaine Ricker on fourth and goal used a 13-yard run to get us to set the final score of 54-7.
Greeneville had 313 total yards and Tennessee High had 184 yards.
