The two most explosive offenses in Region 2A meet this Friday in the Emerald Forest. The Greenback Cherokees bring a passing attack 2nd to no one. Last year, the ‘kees passed for over 400 yards against the Waves; however, Midway would win the game…thanks to a 400+ yard rushing performance by the Four Horsemen.
Greenback is unbeaten at 8-0 and is battling Oneida for the Region Title, whom they play in the last game of the season. Greenback is averaging over 39 points per game.
Midway is playing really good ball as of late. The offensive line has provided Ray Ray some breathing room and he has answered by punishing would-be tacklers. We have seen solid play and leadership from the senior QB Pressley that has reflected in a rising freshman. And despite 2 losses, the Midway offense is averaging over 30 points per game.
Last week, in an attempt to catch his big brother, Mike picked against the Waves….a move that cost him 2nd position. 2nd spot now belongs to “the girl”, Amber, while Randy remains the leader of the panel at a perfect 8-0. However, don’t give up on the rest of the panel. Depending on the Waves’ post-season play, they may still have a chance to catch the “Zipper”. Due to public demand, for the 1st time ever sorsn.com will continue the pick panel race for top bragging rights into the post-season.
In a game with huge playoff implications & extreme hype, how will the panel pick?
“For the old school fans, this is always the game of the region. Greenback is the only other survivor from the old district days. Vonroe-gone, Charleston-gone, Sweetwater-moved to 2A, Madisonville-gone, Webb-Division 2, others-all gone… The Cherokee and the Waves are the only ones left and they have traveled together throughout. This is the match-up, period!
For the longest time, Greenback was a four-letter word in my household. I still have no loved lost (even though my brother did coach there for some time until he found religion). They have one state title, which they earned. We were robbed of the one we earned. They still have something we don’t and that ticks me off.
It pains me to say this, but Midway is a big underdog in this one. Midway has been consistent, battling through adversity and injuries. But Greenback has momentum. At the beginning of the year, GB thought they would be good offensively, but didn’t know about their defense. Well, they started believing. Now, they are riding sky high with confidence.
Hopefully, Midway will pull out a major upset. Maybe GB will be looking over the Waves for that week 10 showdown, but I don’t see us pulling this one out. As much as it pains me, as much as I am sick at my stomach, as much as I am gritting my teeth while I do this, I have to go with Greenback. (But I will gladly take a loss on the pick panel for a win over the black and orange. Go Waves!!!!)”
– Ralton Emory
“What a great win for the Greenwave last week! Surprised some people, especially some from Harriman. The 360 spin by Poe late in the game was one of the most athletic moves I have seen. The Wakon tip interception to Binger was a big play. Josh Langley had a big game for the line and he’ll be back next year. Harriman had a huge team and when I first saw them I thought the Green were in trouble. It was a hard fought game with a lot of head bashing going on. But the Waves gave as good as they got and never quit fighting.
Moser’s teams usually get the close ones and they did again Friday night. This week is Greenback. The Waves will have to get a break or 2 and I think they will. I’ll take the Greenwave in a high scoring game with Midway getting 2 interceptions.”
– Barry Narramore
“It’s showtime….this is gonna be a good one. The boys from the south are gonna have to lay it all on the line in this game. The secondary is gonna have to “man up” and stick with their receivers, and the line is gonna have to get pressure on the Greenback quarterback and let him get acquainted with the finely manicured Midway turf. I’m taking a chance and going with Midway on this one. I could be jeopardizing my position in 2nd place on the panel, but so be it. Don’t let me down boys. You don’t have to be told what this game means, and it goes a lot deeper than playoff position. Just ask some of the older Midway football players about the “black roses” that Greenback sent us one year.
Get Tough, Get Mean, Lets Go Big Green!!!!”
– Amber Johnson
“Last week we were all witness to a wonderful sight. The Raven spread his wings and took flight. Depending on Quinton’s status at game time, our secondary will have to step up BIG TIME! Greenback has an awesome air attack and it will take a lot of preparation by the coaches and players to defend it. We have had quite a few interceptions this year and I expect we will get a couple more this week. I have no doubt we CAN and WILL run the ball well against them, the only question is can we stop the passing game? All of that being said; this game being played in the Emerald Forest and the fact I haven’t gone against The Mighty Waves all year…..why start now?
MIGHTY WAVES WIN!!!!!!!!!”
– Jeff Hill
“Evidently from all I’ve heard and read, Greenback’s offense is better than the Florida Gators. But they have to come down South of the River and once again, I think Midway will get the job done. Give me the Greenwave in a track meet.”
– Randy Rose
“The Green Monsters of SOR, red hot of late, are at home this Friday night to take on the mighty Cherokees of Greenback in a big time regional matchup. Basically the shakeup in the region goes like this, the winner of this game clinches at least second place in the region and a first round home game in the playoffs. The loser, well there is some work to do there. A loss by Midway would cement a third place finish in the region and put the Green Wave team on the bus to a destination unknown (but likely Grace Christian or Hampton) in the first round of the playoffs. A loss by Greenback and the playoff picture will hinge on Greenbacks final game of the season tangle with projected Super Bowl champion Oneida (Oneida media and message board projection). A Greenback loss against Midway and win against Oneida means a messy three way tie for the region title with the second tie breaker (overall record) favoring Greenback and Oneidas soft non region schedules. Simply put, Midway has to win to stay in the hunt, and Greenback needs to win to bring a winner takes all showdown with Oneida. Add this to the long and often heated rivalry between Midway and Greenback and you have a dandy in the making.
Midway (6-2), and peaking in October have really played well recently with thumpings of Sunbright and a good Harriman team. The only blemishes on the Waves record are losses to Rockwood and Oneida. The Waves, with a deadly one two inside outside punch of R2 and the Raven, have really come alive offensively lately. The bubble screen has worked to perfection for the Green Team, the direct snap to the running backs has been a nice wrinkle and the QB play has been solid. The defensive backfield has improved, the defensive line now has some depth and the Poeman is simply lethal should a team be foolish to kick the ball to him on special teams. Coach Moser challenged this team earlier this year with what could be called a legendary display of Glenn Wheaton style of um “enthuasism” and the team has responded. One more good performance this week and the table is set for the annual playoff run into November.
As for Greenback (8-0), well the Kees are outstanding and like to put the ball in the air, a lot. Simply put, this ain’t the Greenback team Barry Narramore used to play against. The Cherokees of that day ran the ball, played stingy defense and ran the ball some more. This team will throw the ball on average 20-30 times a game. Greenback has multiple combinations with QB Vanskiver chunking it all over the lot to Vogt, Garner, Sabo or Glenn. The Cherokees spread the field and had some success throwing the ball on the Waves last year in a wild offensive shootout.
As for predictions, well the Midway team looks to have developed that knarly edge that Coach Moser’s teams are know for. Greenback has run up a big win streak, sometime in impressive fashion. Can Greenback stop the inside running of Robinson while containing the corner against Poe? Can Midway stop Vanskivers arm with Jerry Walker’s Midway defensive backs developing a “bunker” mentality? I would bet no on both accounts. This one should be a lot of fun to watch. Midway and Greenback – two good teams, late in October, playoff implications, in the Emerald Forest with the ghosts of Branson and Satterfield all around. High school football doesn’t get much better. In a last ditch effort to make up ground on the pick panel leaderboard, give me Greenback in what could be the game of the year.”
– Michael Rose