“This is the year”: Greer waves goodbye to Byrnes losing streak behind Holmes, defensive line

Greer RB Nick Holmes had 149 rushing yards and a touchdown in Greer's 18-10 win over Byrnes. (PHOTO CREDIT | PRESTON BURCH)

Greer running back Nick Holmes didn’t cry. He swears it. Crying, he says, isn’t really his thing.

But boy, did he come ever so close.

“Tonight is really emotional, man. I almost cried a little bit,” said Holmes. “But I didn’t. I held it in.”

And if he hadn’t? Well, who could’ve blamed him? After all, in Greer’s 18-10 win over Byrnes on Thursday night, it was Holmes’ 149 rushing yards that powered the Jackets. His third-quarter 6-yard touchdown run gave Greer a lead it never relinquished. His bruising, powerful running between the tackles proved more than the Rebels could handle.

On a night when rain fell hard to the ground — as did Greer’s 16-game losing streak against Byrnes — Holmes etched his name into Jackets history forever.

“In the first quarter, we got off to a fast start and we realized we truly had a chance [to win],” said Holmes. “We wanted to show everybody that Greer has it.”

Greer hadn’t beaten Byrnes since 2000. 16 tries, 16 times coming up (usually) well short.

Not this time. The streak is over.

"At some point, our kids have to win a game nobody thinks they can win,” said Greer head coach Will Young. “Last year it was Indian Land in the playoffs, and this year it’s Byrnes. Doing it early [in the season] is a plus.”

The Jackets got off to a fast start, intercepting Byrnes quarterback Caine Rogers on the Rebels’ first drive. Just two plays later, Greer quarterback Kaden Rowland found wide receiver Mikey Williams streaking behind the Byrnes secondary. Rowland hit him in stride for a 72-yard score.

It was a grand opening, grand closing for Rowland. His 72-yard touchdown strike began the game’s scoring. His 3-yard touchdown run with just 1:40 left in the game capped it.

“We came in here knowing what we had to do if we wanted to end this streak,” said Rowland. “We put our heads down and persevered. We put the pieces together as a team to make this happen.

Greer QB Kaden Rowland's 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed Greer's historic win over Byrnes. The 18-10 victory snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Rebels. (PHOTO CREDIT | PRESTON BURCH)

“We executed and played our game. Our coaches told us before the game, that if we play our style of football, we’re going to beat these boys. And that’s what we did.”

Though Holmes and Rowland emerged as the heroes on the stat sheet, Greer’s true stars of the evening were the ones digging their cleats in the mud. Both Greer’s offensive and defensive lines dominated in the trenches.

Rowland had all day in the pocket to throw. Holmes, thanks to his O-line, had holes open left and right to run through.

And on the opposite side of the ball, Greer’s dominant defensive lineman gave the Rebels hell. The Jackets held Byrnes to an absurd eight (8!) rushing yards. Byrnes’ only touchdown came on an 85-yard Ta’Lik Dawkins punt return in the second quarter.

Much of the 136 yards the Rebels mustered in the passing game came on quick throws and screen passes. It had to. Greer’s defensive line was in the backfield too quickly to do anything else.

“Our guys were flying around making things happen,” said Young. “Our defensive front has a ton of ability… and they are showing it.”

As the final seconds ran off the clock, Greer players embraced fans in the stands. Coaches hugged it out. Greer defensive end Paden Armstrong grabbed a big black flag with the Greer “G” on it and ran onto the field, waving it proudly.

Also waving? Greer players’ hands toward the Byrnes sideline, as the Jackets said goodbye to the Rebels — and to a losing streak that’s haunted them for 24 years.

Greer QB Kaden Rowland finished with 106 passing yards and a TD, along with 83 rushing yards and a score on the ground. Greer took down Byrnes 18-10 for its first win in the rivalry since 2000. (PHOTO CREDIT | PRESTON BURCH)

“We hadn’t beaten them in 24 years,” said Rowland. “Coach Young came to us before the game and told us, ‘This is the year.’ We just had to execute. And we got the dub.”

In stark contrast to Greer’s celebrations, Rebel heads hung in silence across the field. Byrnes dropped to 0-3 for the first time since 1996. The start to Byrnes’ season has been nothing short of nightmarish.

The Rebels were already returning just 6 of 22 starters from last season’s 10-2 team. That was before losing star running back Tre’ Segarra and defensive end Sharrod Wilkins to injuries. They’ll look to get on track this Friday as they travel to face Wade Hampton to kick off region play.

Opportunity still lies ahead for the Rebels, but to make any noise in 5-A Region 2, they’ll have to find consistent form on offense — and fast.

Greer, on the other hand, will ride the euphoria of Thursday’s historic win into 4-A Region 2 play. The Jackets kick off the region slate with a trip to Berea on Friday.