Greeneville football gets 4 interceptions by Seth Crawford, tops Anderson County

GREENEVILLE — It was redemption for Seth Crawford. The Greeneville defensive back came up short in the biggest playoff moment last year, but his four interceptions on Friday helped get the Greene Devils to the Class 4A semifinals for the first time since 2011.

"What a player," coach Caine Ballard said after the 35-31 win over Anderson County. "With what happened to him last year, getting put out in the second round, it's fitting for him, it should be him."

Last year, Crawford was in coverage on the Hail Mary that gave Central the win. This time, he made an interception to kill Anderson County's attempt at a one-minute drill and seal the win. He had four interceptions against a quarterback that had only thrown 10 in his last 12 games.

"Not a better guy that could happen to," quarterback Cade Ballard said. "It was awesome."

He didn't take much credit for himself, saying it was a strong defensive effort and he was just the one who came down with the ball.

It did take the whole Greeneville (13-0) defense to shut out Anderson County in the second half, but Crawford was its clear star.

"He just said, 'I'm taking this away,'" Caine Ballard said. "He's a great player."

Crawford didn't make easy picks, either. He made two in the end zone, one where he had to fight off the receiver on a jump ball and the clincher at the end, in which he jumped the route.

"The ball's in the air forever," Crawford said about the two long passes to the end zone. "You just have to time it right and go up and get the ball."

It took the Devils 10:35 to figure out Anderson County (12-1). They gave up 21 points to start the game, including a painful blocked punt recovered by Marquise Gallaher in the end zone.

"I know that for a fact, that we have heart," Crawford said. "We aren't going to give up. Down 21-0 and we come back, baby."

They got rolling with two touchdowns in the final 85 seconds of the first quarter — a 77-yard catch and run by Dorien Goddard and a 27-yard run by Jaevon Gillespi. And the defense began finding its way.

Greeneville, which will host Marshall County on Friday, held the Mavericks to 10 points in the second and went into the break down 31-21. The Devils didn't allow another point.

"There were some adjustments made at halftime," Caine Ballard said. "Our offense continuing to roll and have some long drives got them out of sync a little bit. And we ... Seth made huge plays with those interceptions."