Football is the crown jewel of high school sports. Like high schools across the nation, the Greenbrier East community loves its 7:30 games, Friday Night Lights, and overall showing its Spartan Spirit! But does East have a bad AAAA team or a team of future greatness waiting to emerge? Over the past seven years, GEHS’s teams have racked up an overall record of 36 wins and 33 losses, hardly the best record in the state, and many students wonder why.
Transfer Jysheim Green, formerly of Roanoke Virginia’s William Fleming High School (7-0), was asked for his take on East’s program. He said that East’s 3-hour practices consist of film review, multiple play-making drills, perfecting their craft, and “team bonding on and off the field to build chemistry.” He was asked if losses could be chalked up to lack of talent, or poor coaching. “It’s a mix of both,” Green said. “We have a lot of talent, but sometimes the plays are called at the wrong time, or we’re constantly running the ball through the middle which the other team can read. That is one thing we’re working on as we speak.” Green thinks playing as a transfer can be hard, especially coming from out of state. “This athletic program is great,” Green said in response to a question about how East is different from his old school, “but a major difference is the college opportunities or 7 on 7 opportunities I had going in Virginia.” According to GoRout, 7 on 7 football is an adaptation of traditional football that focuses on the passing game and is played with just seven players per team on the field.” Its benefits include: improved passing and receiving skills, enhanced quarterback decision-making, increased defensive awareness and coverage skills, and speed and agility training.
The Spartans faced Shady Springs on October 4 and Oak Hill on October 11. The team came away with a big win over Shady (34-21) but fell short by a touchdown to Oak Hill (14-21). At this point it seemed the team was properly trained and showing signs of improvement. Then came the Nicholas County matchup.
The Spartans faced the Nicholas County Grizzly Bears on October 18 to conclude Spartan Homecoming week, but suffered an injury-filled 6-26 loss against the Grizzlies.
Quarterback Brody Hamric went down in the second quarter due to an ankle injury. Although the ankle was not broken or fractured, Hamric unfortunately did not return to the game so senior Donavin Penn filled in. Hamric should make a full recovery according to his father Jon Hamric.
A little before halftime, safety Nate Suttle got hit in the back of the head twice. Players who were on the field with Suttle said he could not feel the right side of his body, and he was rushed to the hospital soon after. Apparently the repeated hits resulted in a “zinger,” which is a temporary sports-induced paralysis, and Suttle is now recovered.
Corner and receiver Jysheim Green suffered a dislocated shoulder in the third quarter due to dipping his right shoulder low while attempting a tackle. Green returned to the game twice before being taken out to get the injury checked.
The Nicholas game was a breaking point for some players. Seniors Bo Bowyer and Hudson Smith, along with junior Grant Scott are no longer a part of GEHS football following a heated interaction with coaching staff.
After reading this article do you feel like the GEHS football team is a force to be reckoned with, or a group of lost causes who are figuring out the game of football?
If the Spartans keep their heads in the game, stay motivated, and remember that they are one team and not individuals, they may be on course to give their remaining opponents–Summers County, Princeton, and Nitro–a fight.
