GREENE COUNTY
Greene County played its first road game on Friday at Hancock Central and came away with a 43-6 victory.
It was the Tigers' third-straight win over the Bulldogs, and head coach Terrance Banks told the Lake Oconee News that he thought his team played well throughout the game.
“I thought we did a better job in all three phases of the game of understanding what we do,” Banks said. “I think offensive football is getting your timing and rhythm down, and we did a good job of that. Getting turnovers from our special teams units was huge, and then defensively, we played outstanding. We won the turnover battle and took care of the things we needed to take care of.”
The Tigers’ offense came out prepared and put up the most points they had all season.
Junior quarterback Steve Miller took care of the ball and was a perfect 8-for-8, passing for 130 yards and two touchdowns. His top target in the game, BJ Mullens, caught both touchdown passes for a total of 87 yards. Tyler Green, Qua Burdette, Chris Lowe and Kamari Smith all combined for the other 43 yards through the air.
Miller also contributed to the run game with four carries for 38 yards and another two scores. The running back duo of Aveon Baugh and Travez Gibson also put two touchdowns up on the scoreboard. Baugh ended the night with 10 carries for 63 yards, and Gibson ended with 11 carries for 60 yards.
Banks attributed the offense’s success to the experience most of the guys have been able to gain over the last couple of years, and that it helps them have a better connection with Miller.
“We lost one of our big playmakers last season, but I’ve been telling people that all the guys we have now got starting reps last year, so I think the year of experience they now have in this system and with Steve [Miller] has been huge,” Banks said. “The decision-making has gotten better, and I just think we’re very balanced, and that it’s hard to take away from one specific player, because someone else will step up.”
For the Bulldogs’ offense, it was a different story.
Sophomore quarterback Solomar Battle was only 3-of-8 passing, racking up 12 yards through the air. On top of that, the Tigers’ front seven made it nearly impossible to move the ball on the ground.
Hancock Central had seven players combine for 117 rushing yards – averaging only a little over four yards per carry.
Banks acknowledged his defense is the backbone of this Tigers’ team, and they’ve really cooperated with the coaching staff to make that happen.
“Our calling card is our defense because it’s the group that returned the most starters and impact players,” Banks said. “I’ve felt strongly about the cohesiveness of our defensive staff and kids, and they’ve done a great job together. The only thing I joke with our defense about now is getting that goose egg, but we really just continue to make sure they’re taking it one step at a time.”
Ultimately, Greene County was able to see a lot of guys get some minutes during the blowout victory.
Underclassmen who usually get snaps on junior varsity were able to get in during the second half, and Banks believes that’s important for the team’s depth as they enter region play later in the season.
“In taking our steps to get where we are trying to go, we’re going to have to have two to three young guys get multiple snaps in crucial region games,” Banks said. “Any time they can get that Friday night experience so that they are accustomed to the speed of the game is crucial. For us and the region that we’re in, they will need that experience if they want to be prepared for the moment.”
Looking ahead, the Tigers will face Wilkinson County for the team’s second road game of the season this Friday night.