Greeneville football jumps on Anderson County early in Class 4A quarterfinals

Al Lesar
Knoxville News Sentinel
Greeneville's Cameron Hite (21) runs past Anderson County's Zach Wax (5) during the Anderson County versus Greeneville TSSAA play-off high school football game at Anderson County high school in Anderson County Friday Nov. 16 2018.

CLINTON — A football game that was a long time coming ended in a hurry.

Anderson County suffered a painful four-point loss to eventual state champion Greeneville in last year’s Class 4A quarterfinals.

The Mavericks had been dreaming about a rematch ever since.

Sometimes getting the wish isn’t the best thing that can happen.

The top-ranked Greene Devils (13-0) were dominant from the outset and coasted to a 42-21 victory over No. 2 Anderson County (12-1) Friday night.

Dorien Goddard, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver who has committed to Virginia, helped dismantle Anderson County early. He had four catches for 31 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown reception, as the Greene Devils dashed to a 42-7 halftime advantage.

“Our defense stopped the run (allowing Anderson County 15 first-half rushing yards) and our offense made some big plays,” Goddard said.

Greeneville coach Caine Ballard said he couldn't predict a start like that, but he was very pleased that;s how it happened.

It was a game that Anderson County was focused on since last year’s 35-31 quarterfinal loss. The banners the teams ran through expressed the emotion. The Mavs had “We Trained All Year To Be The Devils Misery,” while Greeneville’s said, “You Wanted Us, You Got Us.”

“The cheerleaders come up with those sayings,” Ballard said. “But I thought ours was pretty good.”

Cameron Hite, another 6-4, 220-pound receiver, who is committed to Wake Forest, caught four passes for 79 yards, highlighted by a 42-yard TD reception. He also picked off Anderson County quarterback Stanton Martin.

Greeneville quarterback Cade Ballard, a Mr. Football finalist along with Martin, threw for two TDs and ran for another. Ballard, who has committed to Army, has 37 touchdown passes and no interceptions this season.

Goddard and Hite have developed an amazing chemistry with Ballard.

“Cade has been my quarterback since Pee Wee football,” Hite said. “He’s been my best friend for a long time. We know what each other is doing on every play.”

“He’s my brother, our leader and a great guy,” Goddard said of Ballard. “He’s out there fighting on every play. He’ll never let us down.”

Ty Youngblood (34 yards) and Jaevon Gillespie (49) ran for touchdowns. Dalton McLain returned an interception 86 yards for six points to cap the Greeneville scoring.

Marquis Gallaher (5 and 18 yards) scored twice for Anderson County and Michael Carroll snagged a 4-yard TD pass from Martin.