Rams Hunt Down the Jags 25-22 on Senior Night
SNOW HILL — The rivalry between Greene Central and Farmville Central isn’t just fierce—it’s personal. And on Senior Night, the Rams made sure their bitter rival knew exactly what they were up against, forcing a staggering seven turnovers and delivering a defensive clinic that left Farmville Central reeling in a 25-22 defeat. Greene Central's defense was relentless, using every opportunity to strip away Farmville’s momentum and pride. GC has won 8 of the last 10 games against the Jaguars.
The Rams didn’t just play defense—they dominated. From the outset, Mike Suggs Jr. set the tone with a safety that put Greene Central on the board first, and they never looked back. Devaughn Brewington’s 35-yard interception return for a touchdown was one of the many highlights, while Donovan Hall added another crucial interception that led to a six-yard quarterback power score by Josh Cetner. In total, the Rams’ defense forced three interceptions, one fumble recovery, and two turnovers on downs, shutting down Farmville's offense in every critical moment. By halftime, Greene Central was firmly in control with a 22-8 lead, showing their defensive might was more than just talk.
Farmville Central managed to claw their way back into the game with some explosive plays, gaining significant yards on runs of 45, 40, 40, and 35 yards. But beyond these four bursts, Greene Central’s defense held them to a meager 36 yards on their other 25 rushing attempts. The Rams also dismantled Farmville's passing game, allowing just 18 yards on 4-of-10 passing while snatching three interceptions. It wasn’t just about stopping Farmville; it was about making a statement. The Rams' defense stifled and frustrated Farmville all night long, refusing to let up.
"These boys have a saying at practice, it's a man's game. Tonight was all about manhood," said Rams head coach Jay Wilson. "We had some ups and downs, but we had to persevere, we stayed locked in... We got to the end of the game, and nobody blinked. Got the last possession with 1:12 on the clock, drove down the field—boom, boom, boom—and (while grabbing Sam Avent) not only does he kick, but he can catch that thing and run!"
Cetner, who finished 7-of-11 for 93 yards with an interception, was the driving force behind the Rams’ offense, also adding 36 yards on the ground and a touchdown. His leadership was instrumental in the final moments. "I knew we had time and timeouts. We ran the bubble, then took a shot downfield," Cetner explained of the game-winning drive. He emphasized the team's trust in each other: "When our o-line locks in, we are unstoppable. We've got so many playmakers with Christain [Tavarez], Sam [Avent], Deuce [Jason Wilson], Kam [Vandiford], and our running backs Mike [Suggs] and Dejuan. When we lock in, we are always straight."
Farmville Central, down by three with just over a minute to play, had a chance to win, lining up for a field goal from the three-yard line. But Greene Central’s defense held its ground, stuffing the run and forcing an erratic, wide-left field goal attempt that left the score tied at 22. What followed was a drive that epitomized the heart of Greene Central football.
Offensive Coordinator Demarcus Whitehurst orchestrated a seven-play, 81-yard drive that saw the Rams move confidently downfield. "Whitehurst has been on the joystick, and I have been in the background whispering in his ear. We keep dialing that thing up, and that formula has worked for the past three weeks!" Coach Wilson said, praising Whitehurst's play-calling.
The drive culminated in a clutch field goal attempt for junior kicker Sam Avent. "Were you nervous on the FG attempt?" Avent was asked afterward. "The first time, I was definitely nervous when we did it a couple weeks ago against Washington, but after coming out here doing it every single day at practice, it is getting real easy to me right now," Avent chuckled. "It's just in my blood." Avent's 21-yard field goal split the uprights with seven seconds remaining, sending the Greene Central sideline into a frenzy.
For Donovan Hall, the win was deeply personal. "I just kept thinking about last year and how they did us and blew us out. The only thing on my mind was revenge, revenge!" Hall said, echoing the sentiment that fueled Greene Central all night long. The memory of last year’s 47-8 drubbing at the hands of Farmville, which included running up the score, clearly remained fresh for the Rams, who made sure to repay the favor by staying aggressive.
Greene Central’s defense, which also recorded the game-opening safety, was led by the likes of Tyler Williams, Jalin Sutton, Donovan Hall, Mike Suggs, Chris Dildy, and others, who combined to create seven turnovers—three interceptions, one fumble recovery, a safety and two turnovers on downs. Brewington’s interception return for a touchdown and Hall’s crucial pick that set up a score were just a few of the night’s many highlights.
"Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift is what we were about tonight," Coach Wilson added, summarizing the effort and determination his team displayed.
The Rams finish the season 6-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play, with a chance to tie for second place in the conference. The win positions Greene Central at 14th in the RPI rankings, with a bye week to end the regular season. As it stands, the Rams are in line to potentially host the first round of the playoffs—a fitting reward for a team that showed so much grit and resilience, after dropping four straight games mid-season and were counted out by many.
On this Senior Night, Greene Central showed exactly what they were made of: heart, determination, and a refusal to back down, particularly against their fiercest rival. Farmville Central may have come into Snow Hill looking for another statement win, but the Rams made it clear—this rivalry still belongs to Greene Central.
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