Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

It has been a long and unusual summer for high school athletes, but as of 7 p.m. Friday night, all was right in football stadiums around Alabama. High school football is back.

As the officials brought the captains to midfield for the coin toss, fans piled in to what would eventually be a near standing room only Tiger Stadium. Hillcrest won the toss and deferred to the second half.

In the early going, both teams struggled. Senior quarterback Sam Sherling’s first pass as a Greenville Tiger was an interception. However teammate, Brandon Boggan, did not let them capitalize, as he grabbed a pick of his own on the ensuing Hillcrest drive.

In the second quarter, Hillcrest was able to move the ball against the veteran Greenville defense. However, after a costly penalty and a key stop by Robert Hall inside the 10-yard line, that drive was thwarted.

The game progressed and it was obvious what the plan was for Greenville: be physical up front and lean on your three-headed monster in the backfield of Jacob Foster, Jermaine Abner, and Kirsten Hawthorne.

After a clutch sack by Nabrandion Jackson, Hillcrest was forced to punt. This time, the three-headed monster capitalized as Jacob Foster punched it in the end zone. The Tigers went for the two-point conversion, and Crishon Crenshaw leaped into the endzone. 8-0 Tigers as the first half comes to a close.

The second half rolled in and so did the rain clouds. After receiving the kick Hillcrest acted as if they wanted to score again. QB, Deandre Mitchell’s, favorite weapon was obviously Zach Thomas, but the Greenville defense kept them out of the endzone,  this time led by Tyler Horn, Chauncey Stewart, and Nabrandion Jackson.

As the rain fell and the fans flooded out of the stadium, the Tigers leaned even heavier on their run game. With hands on their hips, you can tell Hillcrest is tired.    

The fourth quarter began, and Jacob Foster pounded another touchdown in, giving the Tigers a comfortable 15-point lead.

Hillcrest had one last chance to get a score  on the board, but at this point, the Greenville defense was hungry for the shutout.

The game ended as Freshman running back, Jacquese Abner, sliced and diced his way down the field, all while running out the clock to finish the game 15-0.

In the end, the powerful Greenville running backs amassed almost 300 yards on the ground.