Athlete Spotlight
During the past two weeks, Greenbrier has experienced a renaissance.
Greenbrier's Reggie Rice (left) and Tyler Dent, are in the Athlete Spotlight.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
After an 0-4 start to the season, the Wolfpack have rebounded with region wins against Lakeside and Wayne County.
One of the biggest reasons for the turnaround is the emergence of the Wolfpack ground game, led by Reggie Rice and Tyler Dent.
Rice and Dent have led a ball-control offense that has eaten up nearly 40 of the 48 second-half minutes in the past two games.
"When we are picking up huge chunks of yards like we did tonight, we are pretty tough," Dent said after the Wayne County win. "The other team can't score if they don't have the ball."
Rice, who is also a standout linebacker, was named Huddle Player of the Week by The Augusta Chronicle after a 146-yard performance in the 35-28 win against Lakeside. The junior rushed for three touchdowns as the Wolfpack overcame a 14-point halftime deficit. Dent added 131 yards.
"Our backfield is as good as we have been all year," senior wing back Eugene Rogers said. "Tyler and Reggie have played lights out and those two guys have helped turn our season around. It's a whole new ball game because of those guys."
Dent was the star in the 15-9 win against Wayne County. While Rice gained 40 yards but was hobbled by an injury, Dent pounded out 100 yards for an offense that dominated the clock in the second half.
"We are becoming a great second-half team," Dent said. "If we could only put together the total game ... but as long as we win it doesn't matter."
Dent, the fullback, embraces the role of running between the tackles and picking up the tough yards.
Rice is more of an outside runner and has good speed and moves to elude tacklers.
"We are playing as a team now," Rice said. "It doesn't matter who gains the most yards. All that matters is the wins."
Both guys have eased the loss of 2003 starter J.C. Jennings.
"I can't ask for any more than what those guys have done," coach Mickey Derrick said. "Their tough running has eliminated opportunities for the other team to score and has allowed us to stay in the games and win them."