Who’s next? ‘You Know Who’ coming to Maverick Stadium
Ladies and gentlemen, it is here.
This game has been circled on many calendars for almost a year. Both teams have made it here, and they are ranked as the top two teams in 4A.
Here — the most anticipated high school football game in the state of Tennessee of the year 2018. This Friday, the Anderson County Mavericks (12-0) will host the defending 4A State Champion Greeneville Devils (12-0) in the Quarterfinals of the TSSAA 4A Playoffs.
The showdown is a rematch of the 2017 4A Quarterfinals, where the Greene Devils defeated the Mavs 34-31.
The Mavs will do everything they can to make sure recent history does not repeat itself.
There is one thing, and one thing only that is positively known for sure: These two teams do not like each other, at all.
For high school football fans, a game like this happens rarely and is truly exciting. For supporters of the teams, a game like this is an emotional roller coaster.
For the coaches, a game like this can bring a visit to the commode to upchuck lunch — the pressure builds like a volcano.
For the student-athletes, the players: A game like this is their National Championship, their Super Bowl.
A game like this is when years of practice, three-a-days, heavy lifts, all the blood, sweat, and tears pay off.
A game like this causes lack of sleep, adrenaline, nerves, excitement, being overly pumped up, yet somehow the ability to push it all to the back of the mind and embrace composure by kickoff.
A game like this is why time is so often sacrificed. A game like this is why you play. Yes, to some it might simply be just a game. However, to others it is life, is it love, it is the game.
For head coach Davey Gillum, he is excited about the opportunity to play for a state title — something the Mavs have never done.
“For me it is just excitement about getting over the hump, that we have not be able to do yet,” said Gillum.
When you put these teams side by side on paper, the stats on both sides are ridiculous.
Both have absolutely destroyed their regular season opponents. Anderson County comes into the matchup as the second ranked team in 4A. The Mavs are averaging 47.4 points per game. Greeneville comes in as the number one ranked team in 4A, and possibly the best football team in the state of Tennessee, regardless of classification.
The Greene Devils ride in on a state best 27-game win streak, and average 52 points a game. Here is what separates them: The first quarter. Multiple times this year, Greeneville has put their opponent out of reach by the end of the first quarter.
The Devils’ scored season-high was a crazy 49 first quarter points against Sullivan Central. Greeneville averages 23.3 points in the first quarter alone.
Anderson County averages 10.7 points in the first quarter. Preventing the Devils from finding a rhythm and keeping the game close going into the second quarter will be crucial.
Anderson County allows 14.1 points per game on average.
Greeneville averages 6.25 points allowed per game. While both of those are elite statistically, and from a defensive point of view absolutely incredible.
With high powered offenses that can score on any play from anywhere on the field, both defenses getting tested is inevitable.
Yet, the defense that can prevent big plays and get a rare turnover or stop might be the key to a win. For Anderson County — Russell Lindsey is tied for second in East Tennessee with eight sacks. For Greeneville — Gillespie Taylor is tied for third with seven. Expect both of them to be big factors defensively.
Both offenses are littered with impact players and are have some of the state’s best talents.
For the Mavs, they are led by seniors Stanton Martin, Ryan Moog, and Michael Carroll. Quarterback Stanton Martin leads the East Tennessee area in passing yards — 2764 and passing touchdowns — 46.
“I have to make smart reads, can’t get greedy with the football, and pump my teammates up,” said Martin about his do’s and do not’s this Friday.
Receiver Michael Carroll ranks third in receiving yards — 1050, but ranks first in receiving touchdowns — 20. Ryan Moog ranks inside the top-ten in East Tennessee for rushing yards — 1,078, and rushing touchdowns — 13.
“On the defensive side of the ball I need to keep the edge. Offensively I just need to find a hole, and be confident in my line and receivers blocking for me,” said Moog about what he needs to do this Friday. As for Davey Gillum, he has to-do’s as well. “I have to get my kids ready. I have to make sure my offensive and defensive coordinators are ready to go. We have to make sure our kids know the gameplan, and that it is a good, sound gameplan, and we will,” said Gillum.
For the Greene Devils, they are led by duel-threat quarterback Cade Ballard, and his favorite target Dorien Goddard. Ballard ranks just ahead of Moog in rushing touchdowns — 14, and right behind Martin in passing yards — 2,597 and passing touchdowns — 35.
Goddard is Ballard’s go-to receiver, who is a big talented target.
Goddard ranks third in receiving yards — 1,171, and trails his teammate Cameron Hite (13) in receiving touchdowns — 12.
Both are ranked in the top-five in the receiving touchdown category.
This ballgame is the biggest, most challenging contest of the year for both schools.
“They are a great team and we will have to play the best game we have played in two years to have a chance to win,” said Gillum.
It could easily turn into an offensive shootout and come down to whoever has the ball last.
Both teams are well coached, talented, and have what it takes to win a TSSAA 4A State Championship.
The outcome of this matchup is a complete toss-up. May the best team win.