Greenbrier looking to avenge "embarrassment"

By Demetrice Elmore and Amanda Smallwood
UCA sportswriting

The Greenbrier Panthers will travel to Harrison Friday to play the Goblins in a 5A-West conference game.

The Panthers are anxious to play Harrison for their next-to-last game of the regular season.

Greenbrier coach Randy Tribble said of his Panthers, “They are ready for another chance to compete and prove to people they have an outstanding football team.”

Greenbrier is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Harrison is 3-5 and 1-4.

Greenbrier is tied at second place in the 5A-West. The top four teams will advance to the Class 5A State Playoffs.

Greenbrier lost to Harrison last season, 37-14, and the Panthers are looking forward to redeeming themselves and showing that they have improved since last year.

“We have improved so much in this season. We are more confident, physically stronger and playing better on both sides of the ball,” Tribble said. “ Last year they demolished us, and it was embarrassing.”

The Panthers have been watching films to help understand Harrison’s playing skills and then come up with a game plan.

“We have films available for our players to take home and watch by themselves so they will know the players they are playing against, “ Tribble said.

Harrison coach Tommy Tice said the Goblins' key player is senior Ryan Miller.

“This year Ryan has become a major weapon,” Tice said. “He is not only our quarterback but also a running back so he is capable of running the ball as well as throwing it.”

Both coaches feel that this game will be a good matchup.

“We think their quarterback Miller is a very good player; he can really run the ball,” Tribble said.” He's very fast and can also pass well. His running scares us the most. We believe our linemen will match up very well against them.”

According to MaxPreps.com Harrison's weakness is experience and its strength is tradition. Harrison returned just one offensive starter and four on defense this season.

With the season nearing an end, both teams are reflecting over the season and the game to come.

"Harrison has learned so much this season,” Tice said. “They are preparing to play their best for Friday.”

Added Tribble: “Every player on our team is really important, and they have to understand their role on each play versus Harrison offensively and defensively. In our offense, the quarterback gets a lot of credit because he has to know where every receiver is going to be on each passing play. He probably has to know more than anyone else on offense, but each player’s role is very important and if anyone doesn't execute their responsibility offensively, the play will not be productive.”