GREENVILLE GREYHOUNDS PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAM

Road trip yield success for Greyhounds in the wake of loss to the Raleigh
Knights/Port City Chargers. This was the turning in the season for the
Greyhounds according to Coach Beeks, who stated he was surprised to find
that when the Greyhounds arrived in Raleigh Saturday afternoon that across the field were
players in uniforms that didn't match the team he thought they were going to be playing. I guess we
could have protested but I wasn't aware of any roster rule in this league to substantiate the cause so we
played on. We still have to play the game and I believe in my guys and think that if we get on the field and
practice what we have been working on all year we can compete with anyone.

The Raleigh Knights must had heard the Greyhounds were on a new mission. The knights had called in
reinforcements to deal with the new mission of the Greyhounds team. Missing some key players on the
teams travel squad the Greyhounds had a massive task ahead. Short on players but not on heart this
week the Greyhounds came out and gave it their best game yet. The addition of a few new players and
several players stepping up their game intensity made a noticeable difference in the teams morale and
efforts on the field. This game gave an eye opening experience as to what the team knows it can
accomplish when the team plays together and the team is under control.

A most stellar effort was put in by the entire defense. Still the Greyhounds Achilles heel was still evident
when the Knights only offensive score of the night came on a long pass into the endzone where the
receiver out positioned Dallas Mack for the reception. A welcomed addition to the team James at
Cornerback had an exceptional game by adding an interception and added some much needed
aggressiveness to the left side of the defense where we had been run on all year, according to Beeks.
Coach Beeks wasn't too shy about complementing the play of Westfield whom had an outstanding game
with several behind the line of scrimmage plays, two which resulted in fumbles. The defensive line did a
great job clogging and maintaining holes not allowing any big runs. Notable to the defense is that there
wasn't a run allowed in the end zone weather offense or extra point, this was a first of the year for the
Greyhounds. Defensive ends kept everything tight and inside and we had gang tackling all night and that
was surprising; no one stop everyone kept after the ball and when tackles were made it look different than
before. Coach Beeks turned player for this game came out and provided an emotional lift for some of the
players with his play on defense. The right side where coach Beeks played did not give up a pass over 10
yards all night and added several support tackles and delivered a big hit on a Knights receiver. Coach
Beeks said that several players acknowledge his defensive efforts and he thinks that helped several other
players elevate their game. I accomplished my goal if that made them play harder they saw what I preach
when I tell them to finish plays. We still have some work to do but I am satisfied with the progress that we
made.
Not to be out done by the defense of the Greyhounds a impressive offense was also on display for the
Greyhounds. This was by far the most well rounded the team has been thus far in the season. Led by
coach/player James Beeks the offense should maneuverability at times with a balanced attack and ball
control. Beeks said that he had told the team before going into this game that he would distribute the ball
and control the game. The Greyhounds had several good runs by the running backs Swole and JT, whom
Beeks credits with providing some great pass protection in the backfield. I believe that every receiver I
had got the ball thrown to them at least once. There were no "I" am the star player this week as Beeks
said he had to take control of the huddle several times to let the players know who was running the
offense. I believe that has been some of our problem on offense is that my QB is a little intimidated by
certain receivers on the team and I believe the difference showed out on the field when everyone gets
involved we (not I) play better. We did suffer two safety's and one interception albeit for a touchdown we
were still in contention to win this game. Coach Beeks said that he was disappointed in the interception
but the remarkable production of the offense was over shadowed by his mistake. To cap off how
productive the game was for the Greyhounds they moved the ball down the field steadily and controlled
the plays during the series to set up the only Greyhounds score. Beeks remembers being at the
opponents 40 yard line and needing a score. I set up 4 plays in my head hoping that we didn't get a
penalty to change the selections. The first play was a pass to the right side to see what they were running
on defense and we completed a about a 15 yard pass to Treve Rice. The second play was fake 21, 31
blast which was a busted play and Beeks said he ran for about 7 yards. We then came back and ran a 37
stretch to the left side and gained a few yards. The defense played over aggressive and I moved Darden
over to the right side receiver and the play was set up perfect. I called fake 37 stretch, rolled back right
and I had Darden run a post corner route and he executed a perfect route in the endzone and made a
diving catch for a touchdown! Another spectacular catch by Darden as he dove and drug his toe in
bounds and a perfectly thrown ball where the defense could not make a play on the ball.

Although we weren't able to score again we were in the game all the way to the end. the entire
Greyhounds team showed grit, fight, and determination the entire game.