Greer’s Diggins, Rowland cashing in lifelong connection
Greer quarterback Kaden Rowland makes a quick throw to wide receiver Brock Diggins (No. 8) during Greer's scrimmage against Powdersville on August 13. Rowland and Diggins connected for the game's first three touchdown passes. (PHOTO | LEIGH CLEMENT)
Long before Brock Diggins was catching bombs from Kaden Rowland — and taking them to the house for touchdowns —Diggins constantly took himself at a different house.
Rowland’s.
After school. On the weekends. Any chance Diggins could find.
Diggins and Rowland — now seniors for Greer football and a lethal quarterback/wide receiver combo — first met in the sixth grade. They had several classes together at Blue Ridge Middle School, and coincidentally, Diggins and Rowland discovered they lived in the same neighborhood.
An inseparable bond was formed.
They’ve been “best friends” for the past six years.
“Kaden and I met in middle school, but once we found out we lived in the same neighborhood, we started hanging out all the time,” said Diggins. “Sometimes I’d go over to his house and we tossed the football around. Other times we’d shoot hoops. A couple of years for Kaden’s birthday, we’d play paintball together.”
“We’re not even just teammates at this point,” said Rowland. “We’re more like brothers. I know his parents; he knows mine. We’ve had that close connection since we first met.”
Rowland (middle) is seen with Diggins (far right) during their middle school years at Blue Ridge Middle School.
Diggins and Rowland are often seen together — not just on the football field, but in the hallways of Greer High School, too.
Both love to have fun. Their personalities are radiant while also light, never taking anything too seriously. Rowland “loves to be around” Diggins, he says.
“There’s never a moment for me where I’m like ‘Nah, I don’t want to hang out with Brock.’ I’m always texting him saying ‘What’s the move, Brock? I’m trying to chill with you.’ Hanging out together makes time go by fast. It’s always a lot of fun.”
For opposing secondaries, however, Rowland and Diggins rarely make for much fun at all.
Diggins missed Greer’s first preseason scrimmage against Gaffney with a fractured collarbone. But he returned for the Jackets’ final two matchups — catching three touchdown passes from Rowland against Powdersville and two against Chapman.
Diggins’ 51-yard touchdown reception from Rowland with just three minutes to go gave Greer a 14-10 victory over Chapman to close out preseason play.
“I know exactly how he likes to run his routes, and he knows how I like to throw the ball,” said Rowland.
“I really think our connection comes from how close we’ve been for so long — not just on the football field, but as friends.
Diggins laughed.
“It’s like he can read my mind sometimes. It’s kind of crazy.”
LESSONS IN THE WAITING
As Greer prepares to kick off its regular season this week, Diggins and Rowland are primed to lead the Jackets’ offensive charge.
For both, to get to this point has been a journey.
Diggins was Greer’s second-leading wide receiver last season, playing deputy to former Jacket star wideout Chase Byrd. Now, it’s his chance to shine as the top target.
Greer wide receiver Brock Diggins hauled in five touchdown passes between two preseason games. (PHOTO | LEIGH CLEMENT)
Diggins says he learned a lot from Byrd.
“Chase had a lot of confidence going into every game. His leadership was different. Just the way he played every game, getting to pick up on some of his skills, that helped me a lot.”
Diggins came into his own behind Byrd last season.
But Rowland’s story was different.
A junior last season, Rowland was named starting quarterback for Greer after winning the job over the summer. After just three games, however, Rowland’s production wasn’t at his expected level.
Rowland was benched ahead of Greer’s week five game against Westside and didn’t see a meaningful snap the rest of the year.
“I was sad. I was in my feelings. I’m not even going to lie, at one point, I had thought about quitting and trying something else,” said Rowland. “But I prayed about it and had a lot of deep conversations with my parents and knew I needed to push through it.
“All those late nights and early mornings of hard work, all the blood, sweat, and tears… I knew I didn’t come this far just to give up.”
Despite losing the starting job halfway through the 2023 season, Greer quarterback Kaden Rowland didn't waver. Rowland stuck with it and will likely head into 2024 as Greer's starting quarterback again. (PHOTO | LEIGH CLEMENT)
Greer head coach Will Young appreciated — and understood — Rowland’s commitment more than most.
“Ask yourself what most quarterbacks would do,” said Young. “These days, most quarterbacks would probably transfer to some other school. But Kaden didn’t. He stuck with it. That says a lot about him and his devotion to this program.”
So Rowland persevered. A year later, he finds himself in a similar spot. He looks poised to be Greer’s starting quarterback again.
If his preseason performance is any indicator, this year may turn out a little different for Rowland.
“Kaden’s learned to get the ball out quicker and be able to run the ball effectively,” said Young. “He’s improved drastically in those areas, and I think that’s been seen in our preseason games.”
“I worked hard this offseason,” said Rowland. “I talked to God and he told me this is my journey. I want to make a name for myself and show people that I can step up and be the guy.”
Rowland’s teammates and coaches believe in him.
And he’ll have his number one receiver — and lifelong brother — right by his side.
“I’ve got full faith in Kaden,” said Diggins. “He’s my brother. We’re going to make it happen.”
“We’re trying to get that ring at the end of the year,” said Rowland. “We’re going to take it week-by-week, but we really think we can do it. We think this can be our year.”
Greer kicks off its 2024 season with a trip to face Boiling Springs on Friday, August 23. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.