Greene County opened a new era last Friday night with a dominant performance against rival Hancock Central in a preseason scrimmage.
No official score was kept, but the Tigers controlled much of the action during the first half, building momentum with a strong running game and a defense that consistently swarmed to the football.
It was the first game for new Greene County head coach Chris MacFarland, who was pleased with how his team handled its first Friday-night experience under his direction.
“I thought the kids did a really nice job warming up, focused in,” MacFarland said. “And I thought they played very well. Obviously, there are mistakes; there are things.”
For MacFarland, the biggest value of the scrimmage was seeing his players compete against someone other than their teammates.
“It’s the best film we’re going to get because practices are good and scout teams are good, but it’s nothing like playing against somebody else who’s giving 100 percent effort,” he said.
Transfer quarterback Brody Moreno got his first start under center for the Tigers and showed flashes of promise, including a long completion. He also missed a few throws, but MacFarland liked how Moreno managed the offense.
“It was good to get his feet wet,” MacFarland said. “First time starting as a quarterback for us and just to kind of get his comfort.”
Moreno communicated well, got in and out of the huddle, and showed an ability to recognize open receivers and read coverage.
“I think he was able to spot open receivers, read coverages, and had some really nice throws,” MacFarland said. “As long as we can grow from our mistakes and keep advancing ourselves on the reads, he’s just going to get better and better every week.”
Greene County also found success on the ground.
Jonathan Lawrence scored multiple touchdowns and broke off a long run, while Ja’Quez Hull also found the end zone.
MacFarland credited the offensive line for creating opportunities for the backs.
“Obviously, those kind of performances only happen because of the offensive line,” he said.
The Tigers rotated seven or eight players along the line as they continued to build depth and develop chemistry.
MacFarland said Greene County has three backs he believes can make an impact, including Lawrence, Hull, and freshman Chris Gainer.
Defensively, Greene County focused on playing as a unit and getting to the football.
QJ Robbins came up with an interception that helped set up a touchdown, while Gainer added another interception in the second half.
Up front, Roman Brown, Josiah Tutt and Kayden Monford provided physical play, while Logan Frederick and Hull also made several plays.
“For us, it’s about establishing a unit that is going to play together, be physical when they get there, and, you know, just really be relentless all the time,” MacFarland said.
One of the defensive highlights came in a goal-line situation at the end of the first half.
Greene County held Hancock Central out of the end zone on four consecutive plays, giving the Tigers an experience difficult to simulate in practice.
“We were able to go four plays and keep them out of the end zone,” MacFarland said. “So good for confidence, good for us to see what kind of things we’re going to do down there.”
The second half also allowed younger Tigers to gain valuable experience.
MacFarland said he was encouraged by his younger players' ability to line up correctly, execute their assignments, and continue pursuing the football.
Linebacker Josiah Burdette made a strong defensive fit, among several young players who made an impression.
“It’s good as coaches for us to see that what we’re teaching, not only do our first-string and second-string get it, but it’s making it all the way through the program,” MacFarland said.
The Tigers now turn their attention toward the regular season, taking with them plenty of positives from their first game under MacFarland.
“We got a lot from last night, and we’re looking forward to getting into it now and really see if we can make that next step and keep improving,” MacFarland said.
Greene County will open up the regular season Aug. 21 at home against Putnam County.