The Greeneville football team is coming off an epic battle and Top-10 win over Upperman a week ago, but now the stakes get higher as it opens Region 1-4A play against Northview Academy.
Last week’s 41-33 win over Upperman reverberated across the state, but Greeneville coach Eddie Spradlen now needs his team to put that win behind them and be ready to play at a high level again this week.
“It’s our first region game. We played Morristown West and Upperman to get ready for this game. We can’t be hung over because we beat a quality opponent last week. It’s going to take a great effort to beat a good Northview team. This will be a good challenge for our football team to see if we can continue to play at the level we want to play at.”
Through two weeks Greeneville’s offense has shown that it can get it done both through the air and on the ground. In week one against Morristown West Greeneville quarterback Caden Baugh threw for 284 yards on six attempts. Then in week two against Upperman the Greene Devils ran for over 300 yards with Baugh and Jude Dyer both crossing the century mark.
To take down Northview Spradlen believes his team will need another strong effort from his offensive line as it paves the way for the ground game.
“We have to win the line scrimmage. They have a big defensive line but for us to be successful we have to win up front and continue to run the ball,” Spradlen said.
On offense the Cougars will go old school with a triple-option attack. They will try to control time of possession while methodically marching down the field. That attack will be led by running backs Aiden Metcalf and Keaton Phipps.
Through two game Metcalf has 23 carries for 119 yards and Phipps has 17 carries for 126 yards.
“They run an old school triple option. It’s not something you see a lot today,” Spradlen said. “If you don’t play your assignment they can make you look silly pretty quick. They want to slow it down and control the ball. They are going to run the play clock down every play and that can get us out of our rhythm.”
When he has thrown the ball quarterback Bryson Metcalf has been efficient, going 12-of-15 for 155 yards on the year. Last week against Unicoi County he threw two touchdown passes.
The Cougars enter Friday’s contest with a 0-2 record. In week one they fell to Carter 57-19, and last week they lost to Unicoi County 29-27 in overtime. Last year Northview went 5-5 in the regular season and lost to Anderson County in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Greeneville and Northview have played twice in their histories with the Devils winning both meetings. Last year Greeneville earned a 56-21 win.
The Devils have won Region 1-4A each of the last four years, and a win on Friday will be important in reaching that milestone for a fifth straight year.
