What We Saw: Ryan’s Kick Lifts Greer To Thrilling Win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GREER |</strong> As the fourth quarter ticked away at Dooley Field Friday, it appeared a Greer program that hadn't won a home playoff game since its run to the state finals in 2018 was headed for another disappointing early exit from the postseason. However, the Yellow Jackets didn't lose faith in each other and Greer never lost faith in its kicker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the end, all that faith paid off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wills Ryan</strong> drilled a 22-yard field goal with 14 seconds left to lift the top-seeded Yellow Jackets to a 29-28 win over Indian Land in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs. Greer (6-5) advances to host rival Greenville (8-3) in next Friday's second round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryan, who had earlier missed a 25-yard extra point, saw his first attempt at the game-winner clang off the left upright as Greer players hit the ground in disbelief. A roughing the kicker penalty gave the Yellow Jackets new life, though. While it was still only third down with 17 seconds left, Young left the kicking unit on the field. Ryan then boomed the kick inside the right upright as Greer's sideline erupted in celebration.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Took a chance on a sophomore kicker and fortunately, he got two shots at it," coach William Young said with a smile. "I'm just proud of the kids. The way they drove it down here to win it after our defense got a stop finally in the second half."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After the teams battled to a 14-14 tie in the first half, the Yellow Jackets got the ball to start the second half. They opened with five consecutive runs - including four by standout back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012565' first='LaDainnian' last='Martin']</strong> - before taking a deep shot. <strong>Chris Hall</strong> hit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448976' first='Chase' last='Byrd']</strong> (pictured) in stride for a 40-yard touchdown. After being flagged seven times in the opening half, it was noteworthy that Greer's opening drive did not have a penalty. But a penalty did come on the extra point. After backing up five yards, Ryan's kick sailed wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You could sense the uneasy feeling that a missed extra point in a close playoff game could come into play down the stretch, which it did.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Greer punt pinned Indian Land (6-5) at its own two-yard line for the final play of the third quarter. Then everyone at the stadium had a ticket to the <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson']</strong> show. Indian Land's talented freshman carried for nine yards and then eight to start the fourth quarter. He then threw a 30-yard pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1042719' first='Hayden' last='Morris'] before taking off for a 51-yard touchdown run. The four-play, 98-yard drive lasted less than a minute and gave the Warriors a 21-20 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indian Land forced a three-and-out and then took all of four plays to find the end zone again on another brilliant run by Patterson. This 48-yard scamper helped push the lead to 28-20 with 8:34 left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greer fumbled the ensuing kickoff twice and the Warriors fell on the second one. That gave Indian Land the ball at the Jackets' 30 as it looked to try to put the game away. However, Greer's defense rose up and three penalties pushed Indian Land back to midfield where it had to punt. The Warriors' punt was downed at the Jackets' eight-yard line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now it was time for Greer's star running back to highlight a quick scoring drive. Hall threw to Martin for 13 yards and then to Byrd for 37. On the next play, Martin found a hole on the right side and was gone for a 42-yard touchdown with 4:44 left. The two-point conversion attempt was a jumbled mess and the only person Hall's pass hit was the umpire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Indian Land recovered the onside kick, Greer's defense once again stood tall and forced another punt. With no timeouts, the Yellow Jackets took over at their own 29 with 2:46 left. Hall completed 5-of-5 passes on the drive, the last two going to Martin and Byrd for 17 and 20 yards, respectively. Hall then ran 10 yards to the six-yard line. Martin gained two to the four before Hall spiked the ball to stop the clock and bring on the field goal unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I love (Ryan) man. He's gotten a lot better through the season," Martin said. "I knew he wasn't going to miss the second one. I trust him."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin finished with 195 yards rushing and one touchdown, while Byrd caught eight passes for 140 yards and two scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"LaDainnian and Chase are two of our better players and they sure made plays when it counted," Young said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patterson finished with 157 yards on 14 carries for Indian Land.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->