Playing on their home field for the first time since Jeremiah Williams lost his life, the emotions were running high during the Hornets jamboree scrimmage against Leland High School Friday night.
From the opening whistle, Greenville High School first-year head coach Quintarus McCray said he was proud of both his team’s enthusiasm and execution as the Hornets won the scrimmage 18-0.
“There was a lot of emotion out there tonight, and I could tell that they were fundamentally getting better,” McCray said. “But, we still have a lot of things to improve upon.”
Senior wide receiver Rufino Griffin said it was a great feeling getting back on his homefield.
“I think about Jeremiah a lot, and I really wanted to come out here and play my best for him. I have been wanting to get back out here all offseason long,” Griffin said. “I remember Jeremiah as a great friend.
“He was someone who was aggressive on the football field, but someone who was a lot of fun to hang out with off the field. He was a great friend and I miss him.”
Quarterback Ty’Mitchell McCollough looked especially sharp for the Hornets. MCollough threw touchdowns to both Ervin Simmons and Errick Simmons Jr. McCollough also rushed for a touchdown.
Leland coach Ricardo Tigler said he definitely saw things to work on from his team.
“I think we played and looked as if it was a jamboree game,” Coach Tigler said. “Mistakes were aplenty but that was expected with a new coach and a new system.”
The scrimmage was stopped eight minutes early after a Leland player retaliated from a late hit, causing the two coaching staffs to separate the players from each other.
Moments later the referees decided to end the jamboree after a fight broke in the stands on the visitors’ side of the field.
According to reports, the fight in the stands was between adults.
Coach McCray said he believes the scrimmage gave his team some good experience before their season starts this Saturday at Gentry. In the first game of last season, the Hornets picked up their only win of the season as they defeated Gentry 29-19.
Gentry and Greenville have played the game on Saturday night the last few seasons in order to have the biggest atmosphere possible. With local college football still another week away, the game between the Rams and the Hornets will be the only game around for miles.
“This should be a good game,” Coach McCray said. “Gentry does a good job both passing and running the ball.”
Leland’s season begins on the road at Shaw Friday.
