When the final horn sounded Friday night at Tommy Thompson Field the scoreboard read Carroll County High 35, James River High 25. Head Coach Seth Greer and his staff led the Cavaliers to an 8-2 mark on the season, including a 5-1 mark in the Three Rivers District.
Last season concluded at 5-5 which earned the Cavaliers the number eight seed in the playoffs and a bus ride down to Abingdon to face the #1 seeded Falcons.
Next Friday night the Cavaliers will host a post season game for the first time in the lifetime for many of the players who have bought into the system of the second year coach. The turnaround for the Cavaliers under Greer has been remarkable in general but the speed that it took place is the true storyline.
Greer inherited a beyond empty cupboard two years ago when he accepted the head Coach job. The pairing of the new Coach and new Athletic Director, Kevin DeHaven set the program down a path where possibility was endless. Where DeHaven was replacing a retiring Darrin Mathews and his long time, Greer was stepping through a revolving door into a job that some questioned if it was doable ?
In a world where High School football can make or break the spirit of a Community, regardless of the size or classification, Greer and his success could not have come at a better time for Carroll County. We know what we are celebrating with this latest victory so let’s take a look behind the scenes to see how the transformation took place so rapidly.
To borrow from Chris Berman when the ESPN announcer described the Buffalo Bills – Greer circled the Wagons. To have a highly successful program, you have to build it from within and there has to be a long term vision. The reason why programs succeed is you surround yourself with the best people who are available and then get everyone on the same page.
Dedication and Hard work – once you have your people in place and they are all committed to the plan, you still have to find the right Student Athletes that are willing to step up and match your efforts. Football, whether its Pee-Wee, Middle School, Junior Varsity or Varsity, is a very demanding sport to play. The amount of time spent in the weight room and on the practice field is paramount to a program and its success, both long-term and short-term.
The beauty in what Greer has built is that the spillover effect it will have for the entire Cavalier Athletic system. The work out program 💪 provides athletes from across the board to build their strength and endurance.
Three things that jump out that contributed to the rapid improvement of the Cavaliers.
Assessment of talent and understanding that you have to put the right people in the right position if you want to advance the program. Making the decision to move Senior, Isaiah Easter from wide receiver to Quarterback is a prime example of Greer understanding what his program needs
The second thing was the splitting of the Middle School team was nothing short of brilliant. Carroll County had the type of numbers that it had lacked in years past and this was weakening the program. When the numbers spiked this year, moving forward with two groups instead of just one allows twice the level of development. More playing time is priceless, especially at the younger level.
The third item is the way that the Football team and the Cheerleaders are connected. The relationship between the two programs is seamless, hard to tell where one team ends and the other begins. Don’t under appreciate the value of this partnership.
Greer works hard and leads by example which is a magical combination. Easy to want to roll up the sleeves with someone who is as invested in his work in the manner as Greer is.
For the skeptical folks that wondered if Carroll County High School Football could ever truly compete, the proof will take place Friday night on The Hill.
New Athletic Director, new Football staff,
new Cheer coach = new attitude !
We see you Seth Greer and the town Thanks You and what your entire program has done to lift the spirits of the Cavalier community !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 