It will be a battle of running backs Thursday night when the Grenada Chargers meet the Bartlett (Tenn.) High School Panthers on the road.
The game was moved from Friday night due to anticipated wet weather conditions in Bartlett from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which is forecast to bring heavy rains to Tennessee. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
Bartlett High senior Geron Johnson (6-foot, 190 pounds) is off to another solid season with 488 yards and nine touchdowns on 68 carries. As a junior, the Mississippi State commit finished with 1,882 yards on 288 carries and scored 24 touchdowns last year.
Senior Macaleb Taylor (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) has been the workhorse in the backfield for Grenada the past two season. So far this year, he has amassed 900 yards on 129 carries and scored 16 touchdowns. Taylor also has a touchdown receiving this season. As a junior, Taylor rushed for 1,825 yards on 326 carries and scored 21 touchdowns to go with three touchdown catches.
Both offenses are centered around the running game, but do throw the football when opposing defenses allow.
“We have a really good running back that was Mr. Football in the State of Tennessee as a junior,” Bartlett coach Chris Smith said. “Offensively, if they give us the run, we will take the run, and if they give us the pass, we will take the pass. We just try to play the numbers.”
Last season, Bartlett rallied in the second half to win a 24-21 decision. Coaches, players and fans expect another close game this season. Smith thinks the game is good for both teams and hopes they can continue with the series in 2025.
“I think it is going to be two really good football teams playing in a non-region game,” Smith concluded. “I think Grenada is better than they were last year. They are polished and do a lot of things well. Defensively, they play great and are sound on that side of the football. You are going to have to lineup and beat them. It’s going to be one of the best games played in a two- or three-state area.”
GHS second-year head coach Michael Fair huddles up with his team during a timeout earlier this season. | Photo by Adam Prestridge © 2024 Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.
Bartlett’s senior quarterback Kam Alexander (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) is 43-of-68 for 603 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions.
Defensively, the Panthers are led by senior outside linebacker Austin Howard (6-foot-3, 225 pounds). A Mississippi State commit, Howard has 23 total stops this season.
Second-year Grenada High School head coach Michael Fair said this Bartlett team looks similar to 2023.
“From what we remember, they look the same on film this year,” Fair said. “They have a big offensive line and their backs love to run downhill. Their defensive front is very active and where they lineup is not where they end up. They do a lot of blitzing and stunting out of three- or four-man fronts. We are going against a team that has the same mindset that we do. They want to be physical, run the ball and get downhill. It’s a great opportunity for us to play a really great team.”
Fair said the focus this week has been on fundamentals.
“You don’t see any glaring weaknesses when you look at us on film,” Fair concluded. “We have used the week to work on basic fundamentals of football. Against Clinton, we had some pre-snap penalties we need to clean up. We also need to maintain blocks on the perimeter, along with our double teams on the offensive line, which can get better.”
Defensively, senior linebackers Jahmani Washington and Sema’j Avery led the team with 30 tackles apiece. Classmate Jarquess Perry has 23 tackles and 7 tackles for losses.
