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Citiz From the Vault CELEBRATING A DECADE
GREER GIRL
SELLING
GREER
Born and raised in Greer, I taught in Greenville
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL
Through the years
W
hen I was asked to come out of retire-
ment to do one more Fitzs Final
Thoughts, I jumped at the chance.
The 14 years that I spent at The Greer Citizen
were some of the best of my life, and the paper
will always have a special place in my heart.
But then I was told that I was being asked to do
the column because this years high school foot-
ball preview was the tenth for the paper, and it
just blew my mind. I couldnt believe it had already
been 10 years since I finally convinced the powers
that be to let me do our own preview. I had always
admired the previews that other papers did each
year, and I wanted us to be a part of that as well. I
knew that I was surrounded by an amazing staff,
and that we had the potential to pull off some-
thing special.
There were years that my ideas werent very
good, and years that I felt that we absolutely hit it
out of the park. My favorite preview will always be
the one that we did in 2010, called High School
Confidential. We went with an idea that was so
different from the norm, and it produced some-
thing better than I could have ever hope for. The
ideas that our photographer, Mandy Ferguson,
and graphic artist, Julie Holcombe, had took it to a
different level and their execution of it was noth-
ing less than brilliant.
But what truly made all of those previews possi-
ble, and what will continue to make these pre-
views possible for as long as they are done, are the
players and coaches. They are the reason we do
them in the first place, and I cant say enough
about how willing they were to do what was
needed to help our visions come to life.
BLUE RIDGE
One of my favorite all-time athletes at Blue
Ridge was Tyshawn Richardson. He had such a
cool, laid back personality and also did something
his senior year that fit perfectly with the fashion
theme of our preview. Tyshawn would wear back-
packs that people wouldnt normally associate
with football players, and he completely rocked
them all. If I would have gone to school at the
same time as Tyshawn, I would have definitely
been a follower and bought backpacks to be just
like him.
BYRNES
I was fortunate enough to cover Marcus Latti-
mores entire career at Byrnes. We knew that Mar-
FINAL
THOUGHTS
JOEL
FITZPATRICK
cus was going to be special when we saw him play
as a freshman, and by his junior and senior years it
seemed like the rest of the country had figured it
out. No matter how well known he became, how-
ever, Marcus always had time for us, regardless of
what we asked of him. Ive met and interviewed
hundreds of athletes during my career, but Marcus
will always be in a class by himself, both as an ath-
lete and person.
EASTSIDE
Some of the funnier moments always seemed
to happen at Eastside. The year we did Madden
video game covers featuring area players, Drake
Thomason was the Eastside player we selected.
That season, Drake was prominently featured in
just about every Eastside article we ran. He also
seemed to pop up and be in the picture of every
college signing we did at Eastside. He even
showed up to a signing at another school. It actu-
ally got to the point where we found ourselves
disappointed if we werent able to get Drake in the
paper that week. Another unforgettable moment
involved a player named Matt Peck. This was
during a time when we decided to do video inter-
views after games. Matt had just made a
game-winning catch and I grabbed him to do an
on-the-spot interview. Right before we began re-
cording, I looked at Matt and told him what a
great catch that was. He looked back at me with a
huge grin and said I may have a concussion. I had
no idea what he was about to say on camera, but
he aced the interview.
GREER
I covered so many great athletes at Greer, but it
would be difficult to put anyone higher on the list
than Reese Hannon. Reese was an amazing kid
who developed into an even better young man. I
remember watching Peyton Manning and Grant
Hill during their college days and thinking that
THE GREER CITIZEN 3
N
MASO
THO
KE
DRA
they represented everything good about college
sports. Reese represented everything good about
high school sports. He was a leader on and off the
field, and I dont know of many athletes I enjoyed
interviewing more than him. His answers were al-
ways heartfelt, honest and genuine. He is going to
succeed in anything he does in life.
RIVERSIDE
When I was in high school, I didnt have any love
for Riverside. Being a soccer player and getting
routinely beat 14-0 by a school will do that to you.
But that quickly changed when I came to The
Greer Citizen. They didnt always post the kind of
records that Greer and Byrnes did, but those kids EOUTE
VE
played their hearts out every time they stepped STE
on the field. And colleges saw that. Michael Wade,
Richard Jackson and Kevin Dodd all played at
Clemson, and Steven Bright played at Vanderbilt. ties that I am very grateful for, but the answer is
And I cant say enough about their coaches. Brian yes, I do miss being there.
Smith, Don Frost and Phil Smith are people I still I miss watching these coaches and players do
call friends to this day, and words dont do justice great things every Friday night, getting to talk to
when describing the kind of man Steve Eoute is. I them about it afterwards, and the relationships I
just want to be left alone when my youth soccer was able to build over the years.
teams are having tough seasons. That man had to It was a great run, and Im proud I was part of
deal with his share of tough games and seasons, starting an annual football preview at The Greer
in front of hundreds of people each Friday night, Citizen.
and was always approachable after games. I have What I am even more proud of is the fact that
no idea what his coaching record was at Riverside, the ball is now in the hands of someone who will
and dont care. Steve Eoute will always be a winner continue the tradition and lead a staff that will
in my eyes. take it to new and even better heights for the next
Im often asked if I miss being at the Citizen. My 10 years and beyond.
life since has been blessed with several opportuni-
4 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
SCHSL proposes conference realignment
L Current conference schedules
ocal schools will face new competition in
2018 under the recently proposed South
Carolina High School League (SCHSL) re-
alignment plan for the 2018-2020 seasons.
The proposed realignment would place both
Byrnes and Riverside in Class II-AAAAA. Joining
them in the division will be 2016-17 state final-
ist Boiling Springs, state semifinalist Spartan-
burg, as well as Dorman, Gaffney, Hillcrest and
Mauldin.
Im not happy about it or in any way excited
to have to go back into that region, said River-
side head coach Phil Smith. I was really looking
forward to playing in this [our current] region
again next year. Its unfair to my program and to
athletics at Riverside. The mindset of our kids is
that they are defeated before they even walk
out on the field. Its just unfortunate.
Smith still plans to implement his run-pass
option offense this season and is looking to
keep his team optimistic.
We are young, weve got a lot of sopho-
mores and juniors, Smith said. Were trying to
somehow change these kids mindsets on be-
ing able to beat these teams.
The plan will also see Blue Ridge, Eastside,
Travelers Rest, Union and Greer all remain in
Class II-AAAA with Berea (moving up from AAA)
and Greenville joining them.
The SCHSL Executive Committee will be hear-
ing appeals from schools until Aug. 24, and the
proposal will be finalized sometime after that
date.
CLASS AAAAA
Region 3
DORMAN
Aug. 25 @ Northwestern
Sept. 1 @ Hillcrest
Sept. 15 @ Rock Hill
Sept. 22 Laurens
Sept. 29 Boiling Springs
Oct. 6 Gaffney
Oct. 13 @ Spartanburg
Oct. 20 Fort Mill
Oct. 27 @ Byrnes
SPARTANBURG
Aug. 25 @ TL Hanna
Sept. 1 Etowah
Sept. 8 @ Union County
Sept. 15 Northwestern
Sept. 22 Westside
Sept. 29 @ Byrnes
Oct. 13 Dorman
Oct. 20 @ Boiling Springs
Oct. 27 Gaffney
GAFFNEY
Aug. 25 Union County
Sept. 8 @ Harding University
Sept. 15 Hillcrest
Sept. 22 @ Northwestern
Sept. 29 Rock Hill
Oct. 6 @ Dorman
Oct. 13 Boiling Springs
Oct. 20 Byrnes
Oct. 27 @ Spartanburg
BOILING SPRINGS
Aug. 25 @ Ashley Ridge
Sept. 1 TL Hanna
Sept. 8 Rock Hill
Sept. 15 @ Laurens
Sept. 22 @ Union County
Sept. 29 @ Dorman
Oct. 6 Byrnes
Oct. 13 @ Gaffney
Oct. 20 Spartanburg
Oct. 27 Clover
CLASS AAAAA
Region 2
MAULDIN
Aug. 25 Hillcrest
Sept. 1 @ JL Mann
Sept. 8 Woodmont
Sept. 15 @ TL Hanna
Sept. 22 Blue Ridge
Sept. 29 @ Riverside
Oct. 6 Greenwood
Oct. 13 @ Wade Hampton
Oct. 20 Laurens
Oct. 27 @ Hillcrest
HILLCREST
Aug. 25 @ Mauldin
Sept. 1 Dorman
Sept. 8 JL Mann
Sept. 15 @ Gaffney Sept. 1 Walhalla
Sept. 22 Woodmont
Sept. 29 @ Laurens
Oct. 6 Riverside Sept. 29 Greer
Oct. 13 @ Greenwood
Oct. 19 @ Wade Hampton
Oct. 27 Mauldin
LAURENS
Aug. 25 Clinton
Sept. 1 @ Chapman
Sept. 8 @ Irmo
Sept. 15 Boiling Springs
Sept. 22 @ Dorman
Sept. 29 Hillcrest
Oct. 6 Wade Hampton
Oct. 13 Riverside
Oct. 20 @ Mauldin
Oct. 27 @ Greenwood
GREENWOOD
Aug. 25 @ Midland Valley
Sept. 1 @ Murphy
Sept. 8 Goose Creek
Sept. 15 @ Aiken
Sept. 22 TL Hanna
Sept. 29 Wade Hampton
Oct. 6 @ Mauldin
Oct. 13 Hillcrest
Oct. 20 @ Riverside
Oct. 27 Laurens
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
WADE HAMPTON
Aug. 25 Greenville
Sept. 1 @ Woodmont
Sept. 8 @ Eastside
Sept. 15 Carolina Academy
Sept. 22 Berea
Sept. 29 @ Greenwood
Oct. 6 @ Laurens
Oct. 13 Mauldin
Oct. 19 Hillcrest
Oct. 27 @ Riverside
CLASS AAAA
Region 2
TRAVELERS REST
Aug. 25 @ Berea
Sept. 8 @ Carolina Academy
Sept. 22 @ Southside
Oct. 6 Blue Ridge
Oct. 13 @ Eastside
Oct. 20 Pickens
Oct. 27 @ Union County
UNION COUNTY
Aug. 25 @ Gaffney
Sept. 1 York
Sept. 8 Spartanburg
Sept. 15 @ Ridge View
Sept. 22 Boiling Springs
Sept. 29 @ Eastside
Oct. 13 Blue Ridge
Oct. 20 @ Greer
Oct. 27 Travelers Rest
7

Come Dance
Stil
C l a
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s Start
Sept . 4
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With Us
Not Jus
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Too!

417 S. Buncombe Road Suite 6

Greer

864-510-1713 2017
ignitedancegreer.com
6 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017

From the beginning

2016 2011
GOING OUT IN STYLE
FAN FAVORITES Item 1: Style magazine theme
Item 1: Bobblehead theme Item 2: Seniors honored
Item 2: Highlighted fan bases Item 3: Special GQ photo shoots
Item 3: Featured Hannon, Gregory, Gist,
Dibenedetto and Sammons

2015 2010
FRIDAY NITE LIKES
Item 1: Social media theme HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CONFIDENTIAL
Item 2: Featured team selfies Item 1: Investigative theme
Item 3: Find the page on FB today! Byrnes
High
Item 2: In-depth profile stories
Rebels
Item 3: Won SCPA award
The Gr
ee
August r Citizen
After a thorou
gh investigation
LL
FOOTBA
need further
throughout the
review. Agents , it was decided that these
will cases 18, 2010
next four month be sent to the ve locatio
SEASON
is the hope of s to gather further ns
this
ndings in Colum agency that we can presen evidence. It
DAY, MONTH XX, 2009 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 1
STARTS
bia, South Caroli t our complete
December 3, na on the weeke
2010. nd of
,
FRIDAY 20
Joel R. FitzPa
ST
AUGU
trick
Director
The Greer Citizen
Division of Footba
ll Affairs

2009
15-0: FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2009
Item 1: Featured 1989 Jackets
2014 Item 2: Championship memories
Item 3: Highlighted five players
GUARDIANS OF THE GRIDIRON from each team
Item 1: Superhero theme
Item 2: Pages resemble comic book
Item 3: Special player photo shoots

The Greer Citizen

Football Preview 2009

2013 2008
CM

WHO IS THE NEXT BIG THING? LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Item 1: Star search theme Item 1: Video game theme
Item 2: In-depth profile stories Item 2: Madden cover for each team
Item 3: Featured Montgomery, Item 3: Section printed in newspaper
Meadors, Sands, Nall, Jackson

2012 2007
BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS A NEW DAY
Item 1: Architectural theme Item 1: Old/new theme
Item 2: Outlined players strengths Item 2: First GC football section
Item 3: Featured Jonathon Bull, Shuler Item 3: Johnson, Booker, Dodd,
Bentley, Seth Greer, Josh Gentry, Thad Hill, Shaw featured
Trezevant
 HELLO, Greer .
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Blue Ridge Tigers F

R
a

Ro w e
TIGERS CLASS OF 2012

FROM THE VAULT

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 9

Your #1 fan
Fighting Tiger:

Rowe takes on adversity

at University of Maryland Your #1 fan
Your local independent
agent is local
Your yourindependent
neighbor
BY BILLY CANNADA
someone youneighbor
agent is your can
Your #1 fan
SPORTS EDITOR

trustand someone
B
lue Ridge fans remember Caleb Rowe well. someone you can
As a quarterback for the Tigers, Rowe
was one of the top-rated players in South whostrust and for
here someone
you
Carolina. He ranked 15th among players in the Your
whoslocal
hereindependent
for you
state and No. 26 nationally among pro-style quar- when it matters
agent most!
is your neighbor
terbacks by rivals.com. He was rated No. 12 overall when it matters most!
in the state and 22nd nationally among pro-style someone you can
signal-callers by 247Sports.com.
Rowe passed for 2,722 yards and 33 touch- trust and someone
downs, with only seven interceptions, as a senior,
leading the Tigers to a 8-3 record and the South
whos here for you
Carolina Class AAA playoffs. when it matters most!
He received an honorable mention all-state pick
in 2011. He quarterbacked the South Carolina
team in the 2011 Shrine Bowl. Rowe was a nalist
for South Carolina Mr. Football and passed for
2,680 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior.
Rowe nished his high school with over 7,600
yards passing and 78 passing touchdowns before
moving on to Maryland University.
As a freshman for the Terrapins, Rowe played in
two games at quarterback after taking over for an
injured Perry Hills. He became just the fourth
freshman starter at quarterback in school history,
but tore his ACL and missed the remainder of the
year. As a freshman, Rowe became just
As a Sophomore (2013), Rowe appeared in sev-
en games with two starts as a sophomore. the fourth University of Maryland to
He appeared in four games in 2014 before suf-
fering another season-ending injury. The injury start a game.
disrupted a period of success, where Rowe com- GREER 864.877.8456
pleted 63 percent of throws for 489 yards and five
touchdowns. trustowens.com
As a Redshirt Junior (2015), Rowe became the
first Maryland quarterback to throw for four
touchdowns in a game, and as a senior, Rowe ap-
seasons, winning 26 games in three seasons and
making three trips to the playoffs.
GREER 864.877.8456
peared in all 13 games primarily as a holder. Under head coach Shane Clark, the Tigers have trustowens.com
GREER 864.877.8456
Rowe finished his Maryland career ranked 18th been to the playoffs three of the last four years,
in the schools history in career passing yards and have won 18 games. trustowens.com
(2,958) and career completions (218). Other notable players from the last decade in-
Blue Ridge has seen its share of ups and downs clude: Caleb Bennett, Rashad Bennett, Brennan
since 2007. Under head coach David Farnham, the Griffin, Bryton Griffin, TJ Howard, Polo Sua Filo, Tay
Tigers made the playoffs twice from 2007-2009, Jenkins, Vonta Jenkins, Jason Sammons, Bryan
winning a total of 18 games in three seasons. Ross, Jonathan Bull, Tyshawn Richardson, JJ Book-
When Wade Cooper took over in 2010, the Ti- er, among others.
gers missed the playoffs with a record of 4-6. Blue
Ridge then bounced back to have three successful
10 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
VARSITY
Aug. 18..... BHP................ Home
Aug. 25..... Landrum......... Home
Sept. 1...... Riverside.......... Away
Sept. 8...... Liberty............ Home
Sept. 15.... Chapman.......... Away
Sept. 22.... Mauldin........... Away
E
Sept. 29.............................. BYE
G
ID LES
Oct. 6........ Travelers Rest... Away
R HEDU Oct. 13...... Union............... Away
E
LU SC
Oct. 20...... Eastside.......... Home
B
Oct. 27...... Greer............... Home
JV
Aug. 24..... Landrum.......... Away
Aug. 31..... Riverside......... Home Sept. 12.... Mauldin.......... Home
Sept. 7...... Liberty............. Away
Sept. 14.... Chapman......... Home
Sept. 21.... Mauldin.......... Home
Sept. 28.... BHP................. Away
Oct. 5........ Travelers Rest.. Home
Oct. 12...... Union.............. Home
Oct. 19...... Eastside........... Away
Oct. 26...... Greer................ Away
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
D-TEAM
Sept. 6...... Riverside......... Home
Sept. 19.... Travelers Rest... Away
Sept. 26.... Carolina........... Away
Oct. 3........ Berea.............. Home
Oct. 10 ................................ BYE
Oct. 17...... Southside......... Away
Oct. 24...... Greer............... Home
 7WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 11

TD Club ready for new season

VARSITY ROSTER Will meet Thursdays at Greer First Baptist Church.
@BillyCannada
NO. NAME YR.
1 DJ GreerCITIZeN.COm
WILLIS 12
2 JAKE SMITH 12

TD Club returns Aug. 27 3

4
ANDY TATE
JOSH HAYS
12
11
oking for lunch and 5 someDREW football STANLEY Lunch each week is $8 12for members and
ussion? 6 JAYLEN SMITH $10 for guests. 11
u need look no further than the Greer Everybody eats lunch somewhere every
hdown Club, which 7 kicks JOHN BOWLES day, so why not come to11
off Thursday, a place where you
27, at Greer First Baptist Church. can eat lunch from The Clock and also talk
e weekly meetings 8 will highlight
COLBY JOHNSON
local about football with your friends, 10 Gravley said.
hes, players and9 guest speakers. The
KYLE FLYTE four Players of the Week10 Greer Touchdown Club will recognize
nch during each meeting will be catered at each meeting.
he Clock Restaurant 10 and COLBY will openWOOTEN
at Those players will be chosen 10 by The Greer
5 a.m. The program will start shortly after Citizen.
n. 11 DEVAN DIGGINS We try to highlight four11Players of the
he five area high12 school coaches
TYREE will give Week, Gravley said. We
COFIELD 12try to make that a
ort preview of their seasons during the big deal. We feel like were a different club
meeting, said Robbie 14 Gravley HUNTER BYARS than a lot of the touchdown
with the 11 clubs around in
hdown club. Well also have a pickem that we still primarily feature high school
est that will go on 15 throughout SHAYNE VANWETTERING
the year. football. Were not looking 10to bring in the
e touchdown club usually runs for about college coaches and give Players of the
16 JONATHAN GAVIGAN 11
eeks.
We ask people to17 come to the AUSTIN
Week to the start running back at Clemson.
COX We want to promote high12school players and
first meeting
Monday night is FaMily night
join on site, he said. high school football. 5:00-8:00
e cost is $35 to 18 join. JAKE CISSON 9
20 SCOTTIE CANTRELL 11 t
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12 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
Blue Ridge takes on new look, offense in 2017
BY BILLY CANNADA
SPORTS EDITOR
A
fter a year of injuries and frustration in
2016, Blue Ridge coach Shane Clark and
his staff made some changes in the offsea-
son.
Were still going to have a fairly inexperienced
group, Clark said. But we made some changes to
what were doing on both sides of the ball and
weve got some new coaches in place. Right now,
were trying to implement some things and work
on fundamentals.
Clark handed off the play calling duties, and a
new offense is creating a short turnaround for
players to learn and perform.
Im thriving on it, wide receiver DJ Willis said.
Im ready to get the season started. Were moving
at a faster pace and its been fun to get the offense
rolling.
Third year starting quarterback Jake Smith said
the new offense is demanding, but enjoyable.
Its a lot more complex, he said. But once you
get the hang of it, its a really fun offense. Ive really
enjoyed it so far.
Smith said he hopes to adjust quickly to his
growing leadership role.
One thing Ive learned growing up is that ev-
erybody responds differently to different things,
Smith said. You have to learn how to treat people
and how to get the best out of them. We want to
pick up where we started last year and Ive got to
help be the voice. It will be challenging, but were
ERS
EIV
REC
M ITHS 2017
E S GER
JAK TI
ready.
The Tigers also hired a defensive coordinator,
James McLendon, from Wando High School.
Well probably run more of a 3-4 base, but well
try to give multiple looks on the defense, Clark
said. Hopefully well be able to simplify the de-
fense as well as we can so that it remains effective.
Clark said he is looking for big things from his
quarterback.
Hes our most experienced starter, so hopefully
hell be able to be a true leader on the field and
RBACK
UARTE
Q
command the guys out there, he said.
In the backfield, Tyree Cofield is making the
jump from receiver to running back this fall.
The Tigers will have an entire new group at wide
receiver. Willis, Devan Diggins, Colby Johnson and
Jaylen Smith will start, with others rotating in.
Its a pretty young group, Clark said. Weve
only got one senior. The other guys have been in
our program, but theyve either played different
positions or this will be their first varsity experi-
ence.
Blue Ridge has three returning starters on the
offensive line: Josh Ryder, Daniel Wooten and
Drew Skinner.
Its nice to have some guys coming back, Clark
said. The experience they bring with them will
help lead the other two guys along.
Austin Atkins and Jacob Lloyd will anchor the
defensive line for the Tigers.
Theyre both very solid football players and
theyre also good, coachable kids, Clark said.
Theyve done everything weve asked them to
do.
Christian Diaz and John Bowles will return to
provide stability for the linebacking corps, which
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
will need to provide support for a young second-
ary.
Our secondary is an area where weve had to
replace a lot of guys, Clark said. DJ Willis will prob-
ably end up starting some over there. Everybody
else is new to that position, so were trying to
bring them along as best we can.
Our lack of depth is concerning, he continued
Ive talked with some other coaches and have
heard about similar situations in other places. Its
getting tougher and tougher every year to have
two different groups. A lot of guys have to play on
both sides of the ball and special teams. Weve had
good numbers, but we have a lot of inexperience
to this point.
The lack of depth, however, hasnt stopped sev-
eral players from stepping up.
Something that has surprised us a little bit is
the people that have stepped up in certain spots,
Clark said. Youve got guys that may have moved
positions, and theyve become guys we can count
on. Hopefully, things like that will continue.
After a loss in Week 0, the Tigers will be at home
next week, taking on Landrum.
7
Byrnes Rebels

Lat t i m o r e
REBELS CLASS OF 2010

FROM THE VAULT

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 15

Mr. Football:

Lattimore sets the standard

for future Byrnes standouts
BY BILLY CANNADA
SPORTS EDITOR

C
onsidered to be one of the most decorated
high school football prospects in South

WORRY-FREE
Carolina football history, Marcus Lattimore
left a lasting mark on Duncan when his career
came to an end in 2010.
At Byrnes, Lattimore rushed for 6,375 yards and

scored 104 touchdowns.
He was named to Parade Magazines 47th annu-
al All-American High School Football Team, and
had 260 carries for 1,898 yards and 31 touch-
downs during his senior season. That was enough
to earn him the Mr. Football award for the state.
Lattimores career was far from over when he
left the Upstate, however.
As a freshman at the University of South Caroli-
na Lattimore was a unanimous choice for National
Freshman of the Year, leading the Gamecocks with
1,197 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns
on 249 carries. Lattimore also had 29 receptions
for 412 yards and two more scores. He became the
schools freshman record-holder in rushing yard-
age, passing Thomas Dendys 28-year-old record
of 848 yards... notched the third-best single-sea-
son rushing total in Carolina history, behind only
George Rogers 1,681 yards in 1979 and 1,894
yards in his Heisman Trophy-winning 1980 season.
In 2011, Lattimores sophomore year, he was a
Heisman Trophy candidate before his season end-
ed with a knee injury during a win at Mississippi
State. Lattimore finished his second season with
818 yards on 163 carries, an average of 5.0 yards
per carry. He had 10 rushing touchdowns and
caught 19 passes for 182 yards and a score.
Lattimore became the Gamecocks leading rush-
er with 662 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2012, de-
spite playing just nine games. Lattimore became
the schools all-time leader in rushing touchdowns
when he had a pair of short touchdown bursts
against Missouri.
He suffered a severe right knee injury in the win
over Tennessee, which ended his season prema-
turely for the second year in a row.
That injury would plague him after he was draft-
ed in 2013 by the San Fransisco 49ers. He decided
to hang up the cleats shortly thereafter due to
lasting effects.
Lattimore ranks sixth in South Carolina school
FLOORING
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Charles Kelly - Owner
COMPLIMENTARY ESTIMATES!
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history with 2,677 rushing yards. He is fourth in
rushing attempts with 555, first in both rushing
(38) and total (41) touchdowns, third in points
864.249.3444
scored (246) and tied for second with 11 career
C a r p e t H a r d w o o d V i n y l l a m i n at e C e r a m i C
100-yard rushing games.
Byrnes has had plenty of success in the last 10
years. The Rebels have been to the state champi-
onship five times, won it four times and lost in the
Upper State championship four times. Last season
was the only season the Rebels failed to make the
postseason.
Byrnes has been coached by Chris Miller, Bobby 2099 Suite D East Main Street Duncan, SC Next to Little Caesars
Bentley, Brian Lane and Reggie Shaw. Over 10 sea-
sons, the four coaches have combined to win 118
Open Mon-Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Closed Sundays
games, only losing 24 games.
Other notable Rebels over the past decade in-
clude: Corey Miller, Prince Miller, Willy Korn, Shuler Good Luck
Rebels!
Bentley, Shaedon Meadors, Micah Young, Tavin
Richardson, Demarcus Gregory, Chas Dodd, Lyrics
Klugh, Kaleb Patterson, Trent Bailey, Jarvis Wil-
liams, Tyson Holcombe, Kolton Korn, Isaiah Pinson,
Craig Weick, Doc Dillard, Melvin Armstrong, Jazz Back row: Kevin,
King, Roland Johnson, Zach Blair, CJ Pulley, Paul Charles, Larry and
Scott, Aerial Byrd, Cejay Thomas, Nick Jones, Jake Deborah Front row:
Bridwell, Brandon Willis, Everett Dawkins, among Hunter, Parker
others. and Conner
16 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
VARSITY
Aug. 19.... Myrtle Beach.... Home
Aug. 25.... Greer................. Away
Sept. 1 ..... Don Bosco......... Home
Sept. 8..... Northwestern.... Away
Sept. 15... Broome............ Home
Sept. 22.............................. BYE
Sept. 29... Spartanburg..... Home
Oct. 6....... Boiling Springs.. Away
N E S ULES Oct. 13..... Nation Ford....... Away
R D Oct. 20..... Gaffney............. Away
E
B Y SCH Oct. 27 ..... Dorman............ Home
JV
Aug. 24.... Greer................ Home
Sept. 7..... Northwestern... Home
Sept. 14... Broome............. Away
Sept. 28... Spartanburg...... Away
Oct. 5....... Boiling Springs.. Home
Oct. 12..... Nation Ford....... Home
Oct. 19..... Gaffney............ Home
Oct. 27..... Dorman............. Away
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
C-TEAM
Aug. 24.... Gaffney............. Away
Sept. 7..... Northwestern... Home
Sept. 14... South Pointe..... Away
Sept. 21... South Pointe.... Home
Sept. 28... Spartanburg...... Away
Oct. 5....... Boiling Springs. Home
Oct. 12..... Nation Ford...... Home
Oct. 19..... Gaffney............ Home
Oct. 27..... Dorman............. Away
7WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL
VARSITY ROSTER
NO. NAME YR. POS. HT. WT.
1 ZY YOUNG SR DB/WR 59 175
2 JALEN MILLER JR LB 60 202
3 JAMES RHODES SR WR 511 176
4 AJ ROGERS SR C 61 182
5 DEMARCUS GREGORY SR WR 63 205
6 MALIK LOTT SR LB 60 170
7 QUINCY EIGNER SR DB 60 194
8 RJ HARRIS SR C 60 172
9 ALEC DAVIS SR RB 59 170
10 BRANDON ROBINSON SR DE/TE 61 211
11 DEANDRE WINGO SR DB 510 176
12 JAKE CHILDERS SR WR 510 173
13 LAWRENCE SCOTT SOPH QB 60 168
14 BUDDY MACK SOPH DB 61 171
15 TJ YOUNG JR WR 59 154
16 BROCK CARROLL JR QB 62 202
17 CARY ENOS SR QB 67 182
18 BJ PEAKE JR WR/QB 59 157
19 LUIS HERNANDEZ SR K/P 59 180
20 LAVAR MCINTYRE JR WR 62 165
22 KOBE MOSS JR LB 62 171
24 QUINTIN TALLEY SOPH DB 511 166
25 MATT PALMER SR LB 58 151
26 QUEZ MAYES SR RB 510 212
27 ETHAN HARRIS SOPH DB 59 156
28 DORIAN JONES JR LB 58 162
29 ROSMAN SIMMONS SR WR 510 158
30 HAKEEM FORDHAM JR DB 61 178
31 NATE GOODE SR DL 60 232
NO. NAME YR. POS. HT. WT.
32 NAIGE CROUCH JR DB 510 157
33 MARQUEZ ROWLAND SR DE/TE 61 218
34 JULIAN MARTIN SOPH RB 59 193
35 KHAZIAH BONDS JR C 58 150
36 JOJO IRBY JR LB/RB 59 188
37 NAPOLEAN RHODES SOPH C 59 145
39 TYLER CUNNINGHAM JR DB 510 162
40 KHALID JONES SR LB 61 219
41 ZACK DAVIS SOPH WR/RB 510 172
42 MIKE JENKINS SOPH RB 57 152
43 JAMIE KELLEY SOPH LB 59 184
44 KRIS BYRD SOPH LB/TE 61 193
45 HAVEN HILL SOPH RB 57 166
46 WARREN JAMES JR DE/TE 61 221
47 RAHJAI HARRIS SOPH RB 510 188
48 DEANDRE CORNISH JR LB 62 204
49 JORDAN STARKS JR C 59 165
50 ZION NESBITT R LB 59 172
51 SHAMONE YOUNG SR OL 62 283
52 DEMAGIA ARMSTRONG SR DL 64 291
53 ALEX FAULKNER SR OL 61 242
54 OMAR FOSTER SR DL/OL 61 263
55 CHUCK STRICKLAND SOPH OL 61 244
56 KEVERY KELLY SR OL 62 211
57 ANDREW SCHRUM SOPH DL 511 183
58 JOHN WOODRUFF JR OL 58 225
59 SCORPIO MARTINEZ JR OL 58 231
60 WALKER BISHOP SR OL 61 223
62 KEVIN GREER JR OL 61 243
THE GREER CITIZEN 17
NO. NAME YR. POS. HT. WT.
63 CADE MILLER SOPH OL 61 202
64 BEN TATE SOPH DL 60 228
65 MITCHELL HALL SR OL 511 213
66 ANDREW WATSON JR OL 511 190
67 TJ MOORE SOPH OL 511 188
73 HUNTER BURNETT JR OL 510 271
76 TEVIN JACKSON SR OL 63 255
77 ZACK MCRAE SOPH OL/DL 510 233
78 MASON DAVIS JR OL/DL 60 221
79 JOE BURNS JR DL 60 196
80 ELIJAH FOSTER SOPH WR 59 144
81 BEN HENSON JR WR 511 181
82 BRAYLIN JOHNSON SOPH WR 511 168
83 JUSTUS ALLEN SOPH LB 57 145
84 ROSHAWN
NEWTON- JOHNSON SR WR 61 181
85 BOBBY FULMER JR DB 56 130
86 IAN JACKSON SOPH WR 59 176
87 ZY WEBSTER SOPH DL 510 190
89 ALEX DECK SR WR 63 175
90 JAY PALMER JR DE 62 183
91 ZACK SMITH SR LB 59 187
92 JOSH BYRD SOPH DE 62 177
94 BRIYON WRIGHT SOPH DL 510 211
95 BRAXTON DAVIS SR DL 59 220
96 TEGIS JENKS SR LS 59 165
97 WINSTON WATSON JR DE 61 201
98 CLAYTON CRILE JR K/P 60 172
18 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
Rebels searching for redemption this fall
BY BILLY CANNADA Shaw is hoping to reestablish the schools domi-
SPORTS EDITOR nance this fall.
We understand that we need to get back to the
foundation of Byrnes football and the discipline
T
he Rebels are back with something to that it requires, Shaw said. Were just trying to
prove in 2017. play fundamentally sound football and outwork
After missing the postseason for the first people.
time in a decade last year, new head coach Reggie Brock Carroll will lead Byrnes at quarterback,
beating out Cary Enos for the gig.
Its been a tight race, and Cary has worked ex-
tremely hard all summer, but Brock has won that
battle right now, he said.
Rahjai Harris and Quez Mayes will rotate snaps
at running back.
Quez is a big, power back and Rahjai is a little
more of a slasher with some power. Rahjai can run
away from people or he could run over them,
Shaw said.
We want to make sure we establish a run game
and maintain some physicality up front, Shaw
said. With that, you have to take advantage of
what people give you as well. Each week, well cus-
tomize our offense based on what matchups we
L
ROL 2017
feel like work in our favor.
CA R ELS RECEIVERS
K REB
O C Following an injury to star wide out Demarcus
BR Gregory, Shaw began searching for someone to
step up.
S
BACK
ING
NN
RU
We understand that we need to
get back to the foundation of Byrnes
football and the discipline that it
requires.
Reggie Shaw
Byrnes head coach
The biggest surprise has been Ben Henson,
Shaw said. Hes really stepped up and hes the to-
tal package. He can run the jet sweep, catch a
screen and turn it into a big play, or he can go
deep. Hes got the speed and size to do every-
thing.
Jake Childers, who Shaw labels as Mr. Depend-
able, will be joined by James Rhodes, Braylin
Johnson and TJ Young.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Alex Faulkner will lead the Rebels from the cen-
ter position.
Hes had a great summer. Hes gotten bigger
and stronger, and hell definitely be one of our
leaders up front, Shaw said.
Shamone Young will be at guard, coming off a
knee surgery in 2016. He will be joined by tackles
Kevery Kelly and Walker Bishop.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Byrnes will have plenty of players at its disposal
on the defensive front.
Were super deep at defensive line. Were pretty
blessed to be able to rotate about eight guys in
there, he said.
The end positions will be held by Marquez Row-
land, Brandon Robinson, Warren James, Nate
Goode.
At the tackle spot, Omar Foster and Demagia
Armstrong will anchor the line.
LINEBACKERS
The Rebels will likely run a four linebacker set in
2017.
KJ Jones is back to anchor the defense, joining
the likes of Jalen Miller, DeAndre Cornish, Joe Joe
Erby and Kobe Moss.
SECONDARY
Noa Means and AJ Rogers are experienced
members of the secondary. They will be joined by
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
ERS
EIV
REC
RJ Harris, Zy Young and Buddy Mack.
Were tougher than when I got here, Shaw said.
Weve emphasized being physical in camp, and I
think our guys have embraced that. Theyve been
banging on each other and practicing the way we
want them to play in games. Hopefully we play
fast and physical.
Theyre continuing to get better, he said. Our
motto has been chasing greatness, which empha-
sizes getting better every day. We want to take
care of Byrnes first. If we do that, the wins will
come.
Returning to Duncan, now as the head coach,
Shaw said adjusting to his new role has been ex-
citing.
Having been here before as an assistant, I think
that gave me an advantage, Shaw said. This is just
a good place to be. The people here value football
and they want to be good so theyre willing to do
what it takes to get it back.
Shaw said he walked into a good situation.
There are a lot of really talented guys already in
place. The situation I stepped into was a good one,
because this is a group of guys with a chip on their
shoulders. They had a lot of games get away last
year that they felt like they should have won.
These guys are ready to get back on the field
and theyre ready to get back to work to prove
that Byrnes is still Byrnes, he said.
The Rebels topped Myrtle Beach last week and
will travel to Greer in Week 1.
7
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20 PAGE LABEL

Eastside Eagles
THE GREER CITIZEN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017

T
o

Tho m a s o n
EAGLES CLASS OF 2015

FROM THE VAULT

7WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 21

Eagle great:

Thomason helps Eastside out

of long, difficult stretch
BY BILLY CANNADA

Integrity is about Integrity is about

SPORTS EDITOR

T doing the right thingdoing the right thing

he Eastside football team has seen a lot of
change over the past 10 years, but players
like Ty Thomason have managed to plant
their flags among the all-time Eagle greats in the
process. when no one else when no one else
is looking. is looking.
Thomason established himself in 2012, bringing
in 79 passes for a total of 855 yards and eight
touchdowns. The following year, he increased his
yardage to 1,078, adding another eight touch-

In Football
downs and averaging 18 yards per catch.
In 2014, Thomason had his most productive Providing
Providing unparalleled expedited service unparalleled expedited service since 1991
since 1991
season, catching 83 passes for 1,230 yards and 12

touchdowns.
Thomason recorded 3,758 receiving yards
during his career at Eastside, scoring 32 touch-
downs for the Eagles.
He then decided to continue his football career
at Clemson University, where he made his first ca-
reer appearance against SC State in 2016. During
that game, he logged nine snaps.
Thomason saw six snaps of action in game
against Syracuse and played four snaps in win
over South Carolina during a year in which Clem-
son won the nation championship.
The last 10 years have been tough for Eastside
as a team. The Eagles have only accumulated 30
wins since 2007, making the playoffs twice during
that stretch. Eastsides best seasons came in 2009
under coach Jay Fletz (6-5) and in 2016 under
coach Steve Wilson (5-6). The Eagles were coached
by Thomasons father, Jeff, from 2012-2014.
In recent years, Eastside has made a resurgence
with the stellar performance of players like Chance
Pride, who won The Greer Citizen Player of the
Year award in 2016.
Pride caught 100 passes for 1,500 yards on the
season last year. He also added 341 rushing yards
and 377 special teams yards to his resume, along
with 25 total touchdowns.
The speedster averaged 13.8 points per game
by himself.
The program was coming off a lot of losses and
turmoil, but theyve changed the mindset at East-
side. Its been awesome to see the progression,
coming from the bottom up, Pride said at the
time.
& In Life
Integrity
www.servicetransport.com
www.servicetransport.com 800.849.2590 800.849.2590
is about
Integrity is about
Thomason recorded 3,758 doing the
receiving yards during his career at doing the right thing
right thing
Eastside, scoring 32 touchdowns for
when
when no no
oneone
else
is looking.
the Eagles.
else is looking.
Like his brother, Troy Pride Jr., Chance hopes to
one day play football for a NCAA Division I school.
I want to go Division I, he said. I know I have to
Providing unparalleled expedited service since 1991
work hard to get the offers, but I want to feel how
it is to be a DI athlete and further my career as a
football player. I just need to stay in the weight
room and keep the momentum going.
Notable Eastside players from the last decade
include: TJ Gist, Nick Sands, Jordan Morgan, De-
shawn Sullivan, Joseph Fernandez, Drake Thoma-
son, Justin Hill, Franklin Miller, Drez Corbin, Seth
Greer, Drake Turnquist, among others.
www.servicetransport.com 800.849.2590
22 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
VARSITY
Aug. 18....Woodmont........ Home
Aug. 25....Riverside............ Away
Sept. 8.....Wade Hampton...Home
Sept. 15...Southside.......... Away
Sept. 22...Carolina............. Away
Sept. 29...Union............... Home
Oct. 6.......Greer................. Away
I D E S
Oct. 13.....Travelers Rest.... Home
Oct. 20.....Blue Ridge......... Away
TS EDU LE
S
Oct. 27.....Wren................ Home
E A SCH
JV
Aug. 24..... Riverside......... Home
Sept. 7.....Wade Hampton... Away
Sept. 14.... Southside........ Home
Sept. 21.... Carolina.......... Home
Sept. 28.... Union............... Away
Oct. 5........ Greer............... Home
Oct. 12...... Travelers Rest... Away
Oct. 19...... Blue Ridge....... Home
Oct. 26...... Wren................ Away
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
D-TEAM
Sept. 6.....Wade Hampton.. Home
Sept. 12...Carolina............. Away
Sept. 19...Riverside........... Home
Sept. 26...Wade Hampton.. Away
Oct. 3.......Southside.......... Away
Oct. 10.....Greer................ Home
Oct. 17.....Berea................ Home
Oct. 24.....JL Mann............. Away
7WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 23

VARSITY ROSTER
NO. NAME
1 DEVIN NOEL
2 DONDRE THOMPSON
3 CHANCE PRIDE
4 PAYTON MANGRUM
5 REGGIE RODGERS
6 QUEZ BROWN
7 JORDAN MORGAN
8 JAIMEER GOODMAN
9 ISRAEL TAYLOR
10 CHARLIE TOMPKINS
11 TRENTON BOWMAN
13 ARMANI ELMORE
14 BARRY HAVEN
16 GRAY BAYNE
17 DANIEL BALDWIN
22 JACKSON BRASWELL
24 JOE BONTRAGER
25 JACOB LYLES
26 ZEPH COX
32 KAMERON PROCTOR
34 RANDY VEAL
40 NISELL DRUMMOND
41 DARRELL NELSON
42 JUSTIN BAUSTERT
44 BRANDON MCLOYD
45 RYAN JENNINGS
46 BRYAN PUTMAN
50 JAYLIN RUCKER
51 CLARK DOUGLAS
52 RASHAD BURNS
53 CHASE BARNES
54 DANIEL OBONAGA
55 ALEXANDER NGUYEN
60 GRIFFIN ROHM
61 TONY GUTHRIE
62 ALEX SHIRLEY
63 SHANE BURRIS
64 JOHN WHISONANT
65 BRANDON BRISTOL
68 JASON BUTLER
72 WILL POSEY
74 BRAEDAN LOPER
82 DESMOND BRUNSON
24 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
Eagles hoping to pick up where they left off
BY BILLY CANNADA
SPORTS EDITOR
T
he Eastside football team made the play-
offs for the first time in seven years in 2016,
but as the win column continues to rise, so
does the bar.
Led by a new head coach, Dan Morgan, the Ea-
gles return a key group of starters that could help
the team reach new heights this fall.
Id love to have a home playoff game, Morgan
said. I think this place needs it and deserves it,
and if we work hard this year, I think its something
that could happen.
Morgan said the pieces are in place to do some-
thing special.
Weve got an offensive line that can be pretty
good, and I havent had that in a while, Morgan
said. The thought of having a great offense be-
hind this great offensive line that weve got is ex-
citing.
Obviously, having Jordan Morgan at quarter-
back and Chance Pride at wide receiver makes you
happy, but we have a ton of good wide receivers,
he said. Our secondary is also going to be one of
those spots that might surprise people. I dont
CEIVER
RE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
think a lot of peo-
I would love to ple realize how
good they can pos-
have a home playoff sibly be. All
around, its a pretty
game. solid team. We just
have to get them
doing the right
Dan Morgan things. If we can
Eastside head coach make that happen,
our staff knows
that we can put together something that would
be special for this school.
The transition has not been easy for the former
Blythewood coach, who takes over for Steve Wil-
son after a two-year stint.
You think youve seen everything, and then I
S
got here and realized I havent seen everything,
TEAM
Morgan said.
PECIAL
We had so many little fires we had to put out S
and we had to get the kids coming back together,
he said. Its been hard. It might have even been
easier to build a program from scratch, but its Looking at the region schedule, Morgan said his
working out and were going to have a good time. team will have plenty of opportunities to succeed.
When its all said and done, its going to be a fun Im really excited about this schedule, he said.
year. After the 5-A schedule I had last year at Blythe-
wood where youre playing non-stop juggernauts,
its going to be fun. Weve got a chance to win a lot
of ball games, but weve also got a chance, if were
not doing things right, to take a few steps back-
wards.
When you look around, Will Young has been at
Greer a long time and thats comforting for me, he
said. I havent seen Phil Smith since he was a de-
fensive coordinator over at Dorman. The majority
of the other staffs in the area I am not familiar
with, which is going to make it interesting.
The success, however, will come with time.
R I DE ES 2017
The fact that Ive been doing this for 21 years
helps me realize that not everything is life and
N C E P GL EA
death, and not everything has to be fixed today,
Morgan said. Ive become a lot more patient, and C H A
that can only help a team that is dealing with
change.
Like most other Upstate schools, Morgan plans said. If you go back to the old Dean Smith days of
to run the spread on offense, but with a twist oth- basketball and the match-up zones you saw
er teams may not be familiar with. thats basically how our defense operates. Based
Offensively, we run a spread, but its hard to ex- on where receivers gothat determines whos
plain what kind of spread we are, he said. We run got them. Its a little different than what people
a lot of one-back power stuff, some zone options, have seen in this area lately, so hopefully we can
some RPOs and air raid. catch some teams off guard.
On defense, Morgan wants his team to be flexi- Also joining the Eastside staff this season are:
ble. Matt Haley form Westside, Gary Hamby from JL
Our coverages are all pattern recognitions, he Mann, Brice Nelson from JL Mann and Brian Smith.
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Greer Yellow Jackets

Ha n n o n
JACKETS CLASS OF 2011

FROM THE VAULT

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 27

Following the captain:

Hannon is just one of many

QF
Greer
successful Greer products UALITY
OODS
BY BILLY CANNADA
SPORTS EDITOR

W
hen Reese Hannon left Greer High in
2012, he did so as a finalist for South
Carolinas Mr. Football award, a team
captain of the North-South All-Star game, and one
of the Yellow Jackets most successful quarter-
backs.
Hannon led Greer to a 9-2 record and a Peach

BEST
Blossom championship in 2011, passing for 2,200
yards and 18 touchdowns.
Through the years in high school, Hannon

GROCERY STORE
earned all-region honors and High School Sports
Report (HSSR) All-State honors as a senior.
He signed a letter of intent with Furman Univer-
sity, where he began as a backup. Hannon moved
into a starting role shortly after, however, follow- Since 1998,
ing an injury to Dakota Derrick. Hannon started
the final nine games for the team during that sea-
we have given you
son, setting a freshman passing record of 1,896
yards and seven touchdowns.
Great Selection, Great Service,
By 2013, Hannon was serving as one of the and Great Prices
teams co-captains, starting 10 total games and
throwing for 1,748 and seven touchdowns.
on the items you need.
After suffering an injury in his junior year, Han- By 2013, Hannon was serving as We appreciate your support
non returned in 2016 to throw for 2,466 yards and and your vote of condence.
20 touchdowns. He also rushed for nearly 300 one of [Furmans] co-captains, starting
yards and added three more touchdowns. Junior Holder and Staff
Hannon was a four-year team captain be- 10 total games and throwing for
lieved to be a first in college football history. Han-
1,748 yards and seven touchdowns.
508 North Main Street
non set a record for single-game passing yards
(365) and total offense (400 yards) recorded
against Coastal Carolina in 2015. seasons in 2014 and 2015 with quarterback Mario
Hannon was also a multiple SoCon Academic
Honor Roll selection and member of Lambda Pi
Cusano and receiver Dorian Lindsey leading the
charge. Those teams also included Noah Hannon,
www.shopqualityfoods.com
Eta, the national communications studies honor Troy Pride and Adrian McGee, who went on to
877-4043

1
society. play for Appalachian State, Notre Dame and South
He won the 2013 Spear Sedgely Award for team Carolina respectively.

leadership, serving as a four-year member of the
Furman Football Leadership Council and active in
the universitys chapter of Fellowship of Christian
Athletes as a round-table Bible study leader.
Hannon isnt Greers only success story over the
last 10 years, however.
As a team, Greer only missed the playoffs once
since 2007. The team has four first round appear-
ances, three second round appearances and one
third round appearance (2013). The Yellow Jackets
put together back-to-back undefeated regular
#
Other notable Yellow Jackets from the last de-
cade include: Taylor Johnson, Dominique Parks,
IN
SERVICE
Josh Gentry, Quez Nesbitt, Jonathan Talley, Cole
Henderson, Rolland Nall, Quadric Mack, Desmond
Parks, Mario Sanders, Matthew Rochester, Tymeco
QUALITY
2017
Gregory, DAnta Fleming, Alex Waters, Efferlan Wil-
liams, among others. AND
Unlike other area teams, which have each been
through at least three coaches, Greer has only
PRICE
been led by coach Young since 2007. In that time Mon.-Thurs. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
frame, the Yellow Jackets have gone 80-36. Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
28 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017

VARSITY
Aug. 18..... Westside.......... Away
Aug. 25..... Byrnes............. Home
Sept. 1...... Clinton............. Away
Sept. 8...... Daniel.............. Away
Sept. 15.... Woodruff......... Home
Sept. 22.............................. BYE
Sept. 29.... Travelers Rest... Away
Oct. 6........ Eastside.......... Home
S Oct. 26..... Blue Ridge........ Home
R
Oct. 13...... Greenville........ Home
LE
RE E SCH
EDU Oct. 20...... Union.............. Home
JV
Aug. 24.... Byrnes............... Away
Aug. 31.... Clinton............. Home
Sept. 7..... Daniel.............. Home
Sept. 14... Woodruff........... Away
Sept. 28... Travelers Rest... Home
Oct. 5....... Eastside............ Away
Oct. 12..... Greenville.......... Away
Oct. 19..... Union County..... Away
D-TEAM
Sept. 6..... Hillcrest............ Home
Sept. 12... Riverside........... Away
Sept. 19... Mauldin............. Away
Oct. 3....... Wade Hampton.. Home
Oct. 10..... Eastside............. Away
Oct. 17..... Woodmont........ Home
Oct. 24..... Blue Ridge......... Away

G
Oct. 27...... Blue Ridge........ Away
7WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 29

VARSITY ROSTER
NO. NAME
2 AUSTIN GREEN
POSITION
H
YR
11
We were there....
3 QUANTAVIOUS COHEN DL 11
4 CAMERON MARTIN WR 10
5 BRAXTON COLLINS WR 11
6 JACOB HARRIS DB 12
7 TRAVIGEA WARE DL 12
8 BEN PEARSON WR 10
9 TREY HOUSTON QB 11
10 CHRIS QUINN H 12
11 RICHIE SADLER DB 12
12 JAKYRE KERNS LB 10
14 ETHAN ALEXANDER DB 11
15 TYRIC FLEMING DB 12 Blue Ridge
16 DEANTE BRUTON DL 11
17 MATTHEW HUFF QB/H 11
18 NATE JEFFERSON WR 12
19 CAMERON HAMMONDS DB 10 Eastside
20 QUAVIAN WHITE WR 12
21 KESHUN DODD DB 10
22 DRE WILLIAMS RB 11
24 NAJAWUAN SMITH LB 10
28 VONTE MARTIN RB 9 Riverside
30 ANDREW MCGEE LB 11
31 BRYSON ADAMS OLB/H 10
32 GUADALUPE NOLASCO K 10
33 ZECH EVANS OLB 11
34 MCZAVION HOLLEY DL 10
35
36
GARRETT DILL
OMARI BLASSINGAME
LB
RB
9
10
Since the beginning,
41
42
MICHAEL RIGGS
JAIMYAHE RICE
LB
DL
11
11
weve been
43
44
MATTHEW MASON
JALEN TERRELL
OLB
DL
12
12
YOUR SOURCE
45
48
TIM ECKROTH
TYRICK SMITH
LB
DL
12
12
for High School
50
51
BRIYAN FLORES
DANIEL PARKKONEN
DL
OL
10
10
Football
52 GABE HANNON OL 12
54 JAMAL ROGERS OL 11 Greer
56 AMAURI FLANNINGAN DL 11
57 JAMES GRAY OL 11 Byrnes
58 BRODY YOUNG OL 10
60 JAYDON COLLINS OL 9
64 ZACH DRAKE OL 11
67 JT KENNEDY OL 11
71 MATTHEW PEARSON OL 12

The Greer Citizen

72 ERIK GARRETT OL 10
74 CHRISTOPHER JACKSON OL 10
75 BRADLY THOMPSON OL 12
77 CARSON RADLEIN OL 12
78 KYLE SCHNEIDER OL 11
81 EDWIN SALES K 11 317 Trade Street PO Box 70 Greer
85 MILLER DEARMOND DB/WR 9
91 JOSH YOUNG DL 10 greercitizen.com
92 RAHJAI WILSON DL 12
30 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
Yellow Jackets ranked in Top 10 to start year
BY LELAND BURCH
FOR THE GREER CITIZEN
T
he Yellow Jackets have cracked the S.C.
Prep Football Media Poll top 10 to open
the season, starting the year at No. 7.
Although still a young team, Greer returns 26
lettermen from the 2016 season. That is one of
several reasons why head coach Will Young feels
good about this years squad.
The kids have worked hard and done a lot of
things well, he said. Now, they are excited to be
playing.
The Yellow Jackets will have talent across the
board, starting at the skill positions.
QUARTERBACK
Trey Houston is returning at quarterback and
will be backed up by another junior, Matt Huff.
Huff will figure prominently into the offense, how-
ever, as a wide receiver.
We need him on the field, and we will have a
package for him at quarterback, a little wildcat
stuff for the obvious reason that he can run the
ball. Matt also can throw it, so we feel good about
him there, Young said. Trey had a really good
off-season. He put on muscle in the weight room
and did well at extending plays in the 7-on-7 com-
petitions, especially turning negative plays into
positive gains.
BACKFIELD
The role of running back has been nailed down
by Dre Williams, also a junior. But Coach Young
notes, this years team is so multi-dimensional
that you will also see Dre at wide receiver while
Quay White, Cameron Martin, and Chris Quinn will
be at running back some. They are wide outs that
also can run the football, sort of like Quez Nesbitt
except for Quinn who is a big back. We feel good
about Dre catching the ball some too. He did a
good job this summer as a receiver, although he
will get most of the running play carries. White will
touch the ball a good bit as he has elusive speed
and a lot of special qualities.
RECEIVERS
Young believes the receiving corps will be one
of the Yellow Jackets best in recent years. Braxton
Collins, a junior, has had a phenomenal summer.
He is really a big time prospect. Cameron Martin
may be only a sophomore, but he has big play
ability and the chance to be really special. Then
Nate Jefferson, who is now a senior, is returning
T O N 2017
H O W JACK US ETS
TR EY LO YEL
with a lot of experience to go with Quinn, Huff
and White. That bunch is a pretty strong group,
and we feel good about them.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line will be the largest in Greer
High history. We have three kids who are 300
pounds, and one who is 270, which is the biggest
bunch we have ever had, Young said.
Kyle Snyder and Jamal Rogers will be at right
and left tackle, while Bradley Thompson and Gabe
Hannon are expected to start at left and right
guard, respectively.
The starters appear to be set, except at center,
which is up for grabs between Matt Pearson and
Zach Drake.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Young has insisted, even before defense won
the spring game back in May, that Our defense
will be the strength of this team.
Defensive Coordinator Travis Perry agrees, ex-
plaining Defense is where we have senior leader-
ship, starting with our ends Tyrick Smith and Travi-
gea Ware. And we have a couple of good interior
linemen in Jaylen Terrell, also a senior, and Quan-
tavious Cohen, a junior, who has started for two
years.
Perry is equally pleased with the interior back-
ups, singling out sophomore McZavion Holley and
junior Jaimyahe Rice.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
VE LINE
I
ENS
OFF
LINEBACKERS The kids have worked hard and
The Yellow Jackets have a strong inside line-
backing corps that will feature sophomores Na- done a lot of things well. Now, they are
jawuan Smith and Jakyhre Kerns, both retuning
lettermen, alongside returning senior Tim Eck- excited to be playing.
roth. They are joined by freshman Garrett Dill,
who has the potential to be a really good player
for us, he said. Will Young
At outside linebacker are Matthew Mason, a se- Greer head coach
nior who has had a really good off season, and
Zech Evans, a junior, and one of our better play-
ers. Perry adds, at times, the inside linebackers
can switch to the outside. much of last year with a broken leg. They will be
backed up by another senior, Tyric Fleming, and
SECONDARY sophomore Cam Martin.
Greers secondary also features senior leader- The safeties will be Ethan Alexander, a junior,
ship that will be coordinated by new assistant and Jacob Harris, a senior. Both started in Greers
coach Sammy Dixon who joined the staff this post-season playoff game last fall.
summer after coaching at Christ Church School for
a number of years. Cornerbacks will be senior
Quay White, the only player that will also start on
offense, and Richie Sadler, a senior who missed
7

Wishing all Tigers, Warriors and Yellow Jackets

a Safe and Winning Season!

www.tommystringer.com
Paid for by Stringer for House
Riverside Warriors N

D
e

Dodd
WARRIORS CLASS OF 2010

FROM THE VAULT

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 33

NFL Star:

Dodd still thriving after

exceeding expectations
BY BILLY CANNADA
SPORTS EDITOR

N
ot many Riverside athletes have gone on to
have as much success as Kevin Dodd.
The Greenville native, who graduated
high school in 2010, had a stellar career at Clem-
son University, and now plays for the Tennessee Ti-
tans.
At Riverside, Dodd was named No. 14 player in
South Carolina by Rivals.com and the No. 27 play-
er in South Carolina by SuperPrep.
He played in the South Carolina North-South
High School All-Star game and had five tackles,
two sacks, a caused fumble and recovered fumble.
As a senior, Dodd was an all-region and
all-county selection, producing 78 tackles, 22 tack-
les for loss, nine sacks, three caused fumbles, one
recovered fumble and four pass breakups.
He was named Riversides Field Athlete of the
Year and was voted as a team captain as a senior.
He set school records in the shotput (49 1) and
discus toss (128 6.5). He was also a county cham-
pion in the shotput, runner-up in the discus and
named Greenville County Field Athlete of the Year.
As a freshman (2012) at Clemson, Dodd played
in eight games as a reserve and collected six tack- Championship Game against Alabama.
les. Dodd declared for the 2016 NFL Draft following
During his redshirt sophomore (2014) year, the National Championship.
Dodd played in 12 games as a reserve and tallied The Titans selected Dodd in the second round
eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and three quarter- (33rd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. The Riverside
back pressures. product transitioned to an outside linebacker as a
In 2013, he saw action in four games as a re- rookie and appeared in nine games with one
serve and notched seven tackles, a half tackle for start.Dodd tallied his first career start and first ca-
loss and one quarterback pressure. He suffered a reer sack at Detroit in his first season in Tennessee.
season-ending injury in the fourth game, howev- Riverside has won 30 games in the last 10 sea-
er, and received a medical redshirt. sons, making the playoffs in 2007 (9-3), 2009 (6-6)
As a redshirt junior (2015), Dodd received hon- and 2014 (5-7). The Warriors reached the second
orable mention All-ACC by the media after start- round in 2007 and 2009, but only the first in 2014.
ing all 15 games and registering 86 tackles, 23.5 Riverside has had three head coaches during
for loss and 12 sacks. He added 13 quarterback this time frame. Don Frost coached the team until
pressures and ranked second nationally in tackles 2008, Steve Eoute took over from 2009-2012, and
for loss. Phil Smith has led the charge since then.
Dodd busted onto the scene during his junior Notable players from Riverside include: Robert
year at Clemson, starting 15 games and ranking Morrow, Emanuel Jackson, Cody Armstrong, De-
second in the nation with 23.5 tackles for loss and Andre Cheeks, Cody Armstrong, Jordan Bianchi,
10th nationally with 12 sacks. DJ Bolden, TJ Gurn, Greg Polastrini, among others.
Dodd had had a career-high five tackles for loss Some information in this report was collected
and three sacks, both of which set Clemson sin- from titansonline.com.
gle-game postseason records, in the National
34 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
VARSITY
Aug. 18....Travelers Rest..... Away
Aug. 25....Eastside............ Home
Sept. 1.....Blue Ridge........ Home
Sept. 8................................ BYE
Sept. 15...Christ Church...... Away
Sept. 22...JL Mann............. Away
Sept. 29...Mauldin............ Home
I D E LES Oct. 6.......Hillcrest............. Away
RS EDU
Oct. 13.....Laurens.............. Away
I V E SCH
Oct. 20.....Greenwood....... Home
R
Oct. 27.....Wade Hampton.. Home
JV
Aug. 24..... Eastside........... Away
Aug. 31..... Blue Ridge........ Away
Sept. 7................................ BYE
Sept. 14.... Travelers Rest.. Home
Sept. 21.... JL Mann........... Home
Sept. 28.... Mauldin........... Away
Oct. 5........ Hillcrest.......... Home
Oct. 12...... Laurens........... Home
Oct. 18...... Greenwood....... Away
Oct. 26...... Wade Hampton.. Away
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
D-TEAM
Sept. 6.....Blue Ridge...........Away
Sept. 12... Greer..................Home
Sept. 19... Eastside...............Away
Sept. 26... Mauldin..............Home
Oct. 3.................................... BYE
Oct. 10..... Hillcrest...............Away
Oct. 17..... Carolina..............Home
Oct. 24..... Wade Hampton....Away
7WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017 PAGE LABEL THE GREER CITIZEN 35

VARSITY ROSTER Greer Touchdown Club returns

to First Baptist Aug. 24
NO. NAME YR.
1 LANDON SHAW 11
3 KODI JONES 10
4 BRODY O'BRIEN 11 BY BILLY CANNADA get a Greer Touchdown Club hat.
5 JULIAN JONES 11 SPORTS EDITOR Lunch each week is $10 for members and $12
for guests.
6 COLLIN GESSWEIN 12
The Greer Touchdown Club is back in action this Everybody eats lunch somewhere every day, so
7 RYAN PERRON 11 fall, kicking off Thursday, Aug. 24 at Greer First why not come to a place where you can eat lunch
8 JORDAN WOODRUFF 10 Baptist Church. from The Clock and also talk about football with
9 JACK WOODS 12 The weekly meetings will highlight local coach- your friends, Gravley said.
10 AMARI SMITH 12 es, players and guest speakers. The Greer Touchdown Club will recognize Play-
11 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM 12 Lunch during each meeting will be catered by ers of the Week at each meeting. Those players will
The Clock Restaurant and will open at 11:45 a.m. be chosen by The Greer Citizen.
12 CAYMAN THOMASON 11
The program will start shortly after noon. We try to highlight all of our Players of the
13 MAX LOURIS 10 The five area high school coaches will give a Week, Gravley said. We try to make that a big
14 CHRIS JONES 10 short preview of their seasons during the first deal. We feel like were a different club than a lot of
15 NATE STAGEBURG 12 meeting, said Robbie Gravley with the touch- the touchdown clubs around in that we still pri-
17 ANDREW BROWN 11 down club. Well also have a pickem contest that marily feature high school football. Were not look-
18 LOGAN DIBENEDETTO 11 will go on throughout the year. ing to bring in the college coaches and give Play-
The touchdown club usually runs for about 11 ers of the Week to the start running back at Clem-
19 CRAIG LEPPARD 11
weeks. son. We want to promote high school players and
21 ISAIAH BAILEY 10 We ask people to come to the first meeting high school football.
22 JAMEN LOURIS 9 and join on site, he said. Its $35 to join and youll
23 AJ BOLDEN 11
25 MYTORIUS MCHERRING 12
28 MICHAEL SCHNEE 12
30 GAGE KRETSCHMER 11
31 JAKE HENDERSON 9
33 JEVON DRAYTON 11
35 MAX CAMPBELL 11
37 DERRON SCHNEE 12
38 NICK JACKSON 11
40 KORIN STANLEY 11
42 NICK EVANS 11
47 JACOBY THOMAS 11
49 NICK POLSON 11
50 ALEX DEANE 12
52 WILL HAMMONTREE 11
54 ELIJAH NOBEL 11

97 116
55 CAVARGIO MARTIN 11

$ $
64 GABE WALKER 9
67 ROBBY MAZZITELLI 12
74 WYATT ARMSTRONG 11
77 DIO BROWN 11
78
80
BRANTLY MOORE
PARKER HYATT
11
11 3 Rooms 4 Rooms
82 JACKSON ALL Not valid with any other offer. Present this coupon at time of
91 JACKSON YOUNGBLOOD 11 service. One room equals up to 250 sq. ft. Residential only, area
rugs & steps may carry additional charge. Moving of furniture
93 COLLIN NEEL 12
may incur additional charge. Offer expires September 15, 2017.
36 THE GREER CITIZEN PAGE LABEL
Smith ready to lead new option offense
BY BILLY CANNADA
SPORTS EDITOR
L
ogan Dibenedetto has won the Warriors
starting quarterback job, as Riverside enters
the 2017 season with a new offense.
Hes very athletic and can throw the ball well,
head coach Phil Smith said of his junior leader. Lo-
gan is more of a speedster and hes not afraid to
get up in the middle.
Dibenedetto had been in a battle for the posi-
tion with Andrew Brown throughout the summer,
but both players will see equal playing time this
season.
Theyre both so athletic that we have to have
them on the field at the same time, the head
coach said, noting that Brown will start at wide re-
ceiver. Hopefully, we can keep them both healthy
because that lets us have our best players on the
field.
At running back, Riverside will rely on Jordan
Woodruff and Mytorius McHerring
A lot of people, including myself, kind of under-
estimate his speed and power, Smith said of
McHerring. Jordan is a bigger back that can run
the ball well. Well look to those guys a lot this sea-
son.
Along with Brown at wide receiver will be: Ryan
Perron, Kodi Jones, Scott Higginbotham and Bro-
dy OBrien.
S
IVER
CE
RE
Weve got a bunch of kids that we can count on
at the skill positions that have been doing a great
job all summer, Smith said.
Riverside brings back just one returning starter
to the offensive line. Anchoring the trenches will
be Connor Reeves, Robert Mazzitelli and Dio
Brown.
Were very young up front, but its one of the
biggest offensive lines Ive had in a while, Smith
said. Weve really worked hard this offseason try-
ing to get guys familiar with our blocking
schemes. Its been fun to watch and the kids are
responding.
On the defensive side of the ball, Collin Neel and
Alex Deane will apply the pressure on the line.
The linebacking corps will be led by Jack Woods,
Charlie Wright and Collin Gesswein.
In the secondary, Riverside will look for produc-
tivity from Landon Shaw and Julian Jones at the
safety positions. Corners include Isaiah Bailey and
Jaymen Reese, who is a rising freshmen.
(Reese) started a varsity football game before
his first day of ninth grade, which is pretty crazy,
Smith said. Hes the prime example of what prac-
tice will do for you. You come every day and make
the coach open his eyes, good things are going to
happen. Hes got good skills and hes not afraid to
step up and make a tackle.
Smith, who has coached defenses at Greer High
and Dorman High, made the switch to offense this
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
S
ACK
B
ING
NN
RU
offseason following the departure of Riversides
offensive coordinator.
Moving over to the offensive side of the ball
has given me a renewed sense of coaching, Smith
said. After 21 years on the defensive side of the
ball, I think its time for a change. I love it. Its a dif-
ferent type of strategy. Being a defensive-minded
guy, I know what can be frustrating for teams. I
plan on doing offense from a defenses perspec-
tive.
Smiths plans to run a set that not too many area
teams will be familiar with.
Our offense is based on the option, but were
still going to run it out of a spread concept, Smith
said. Were still going to run our passing schemes.
D E TTO17
Were certainly going to keep a lot of the RPO stuff
in the mix. But getting our quarterbacks able to
I BE ARRIORNE S 20
read from the option is a big key. D
AN W
My inspiration really comes from Wofford, he
said. I went down there this spring and did a clinic LOG
with them, and the athletes they get are not al-
ways the biggest, the strongest or the fastest, but
they make that offense work. If you dont have the guy on the defense messes up, it can cost you big
size and strength to block somebody straight up, time, he said.
the option game is something that can really ben- Teams are not going to see this throughout the
efit you. season, so youre going to have teams doing one-
Smith said the option has always given him week preparations for us, Smith said. Thats an
headaches as a coach, and puts more pressure on advantage.
opposing defenses. The Warriors opened the season with a win at
Certainly, running the option is a defensive Travelers Rest and will take on Eastside next week.
nightmare for a few reasons. Nobody seems to do
it anymore and its responsibility football. If one
75

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