David W. Healy
dhealy@ddtonline.com
Late in the second half in the Hornets’ 48-18 home loss to Germantown on Thursday, Greenville High School senior Ty’Mitchell McCollough looked out onto the football field and spoke about how he wished he could be helping his teammates.
McCollough, the starting quarterback for the Hornets, has been out since he injured his shoulder on Oct. 4.
“It’s hard because I want to be out there helping my teammates,” McCollough said. “I know they are doing the best that they can, but I know I could help.”
McCollough said he hopes to be ready next Friday when the Hornets (3-6, 1-4 in Region 2-6A) play their final home game of the season against Clinton. Greenville’s season ends on Nov. 11 on the road against Madison Central.
Thursday’s game between the Hornets and the Mavericks was originally scheduled for Friday, but the game was moved to Thursday night because of inclement weather that was expected on Friday.
The Hornets now switch their goals from potentially making the playoffs to ending the season on a high note.
“We just got to finish the season strong,” Greenville Coach Quintarus McCray said. “We need to end the season with something positive. We just need to finish off right. At the end of the day, I am out here just trying to raise young men, and they need to learn to finish strong in whatever they do.”
McCollough’s replacement, sophomore Josh Martin, did everything he could to keep his team in Thursday’s ball game. After the Mavericks jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Martin connected with senior Tyrone Williams on a four-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-6 with 6:30 left until halftime.
But, the Mavericks (4-5, 1-4) would drive down and score two touchdowns before halftime, including a 40-yard touchdown reception by Jarrett Wade with 1:25 seconds left until halftime.
Greenville’s Martin connected with Ervin Simmons and Errick Simmons Jr. for two touchdown passes in the second half. Errick Simmons Jr.’s touchdown came from 22 yards out as time expired in the game.
